These functions included dealing with contagious diseases, and wartime evacuations and air raid precautions.

It also covered housing, water supply and sewage, and fire brigades.

Until the 1950s the council had its offices outside its territory, in the town of Wallingford.

In the 1950s the council moved to Didcot, the district's largest settlement, converting the former Northbourne Vicarage on Broadway to become its headquarters.

The district contained the following civil parishes during its existence: