This preceded the Municipal Corporations Act 1835, which introduced a similar reform in England and Wales, by two years.

In order for the act to be adopted in any burgh, an application by householders in the town had to be made for a poll to be held.

4. c. 77) later in 1833 to extend local government to the thirteen burghs newly enfranchised by the Reform Act 1832.

The inhabitants were permitted to elect magistrates and councillors and adopt a “general system of police”.

Any remaining burghs of barony or regality that had not adopted the police acts were implicitly dissolved.

Police commissioners were now to be retitled councillors, headed by a magistrate under whatever title was customary in the burgh.

New powers were given to town councils in relation to the maintenance of footpaths and public rubbish bins, and the placing of advertisement hoardings and scaffolding.

Minimum standards were set for the height and internal space of new buildings and on overcrowding, and for the width of streets.

Also included in the Act were various sundry powers and duties including the compulsory lighting of vehicles, licensing for billiard halls and ice cream shops, prohibition on betting in the street, powers on controlling milk supply, and penalties for littering.