By the nineteenth century, both organisations lacked the funds to construct significant improvements, and struggled to maintain existing infrastructure.

[1] The Church Burgesses organised a public meeting on 27 May 1805 and proposed to apply to Parliament for an act to pave, light and clean the city's streets.

The Town Trust's weak financial position was not public knowledge, and many at the meeting believed that it would be able to achieve these objectives, without the need for a new body which would have to levy rates.

The Commission was mandated to improve the cleaning, lighting and watching in an area within three-quarters of a mile of Sheffield Parish Church.

In order to fulfil their mandate, the Commission was awarded an annual levy of 1s3d in the pound on all property in the town with a rental value over £7 per year.

[1] The Act established the Sheffield Gas-Light Company, with the right to construct a gasworks at Shude Hill, to provide street lighting.