It was one of the lower tier authorities within the area of the Metropolitan Board of Works, which was established to provide services across the metropolis of London.

The split of powers and functions meant that the Greater London Council was responsible for "wide area" services such as fire, ambulance, flood prevention, and refuse disposal; with the boroughs (including Wandsworth) responsible for "personal" services such as social care, libraries, cemeteries and refuse collection.

[10] Since 2000 the Greater London Authority has taken some responsibility for highways and planning control from the council, but within the English local government system the council remains a "most purpose" authority in terms of the available range of powers and functions.

[11] From 1992 to 2011, under the leadership of Conservative councillor Edward Lister, Wandsworth was an early adopter of Thatcherite policies of privatisation of street cleaning and refuse collection, and sale of council housing.

[12][13][14][15] Between 2007 and 2010 11% of the "affordable" homes built in Wandsworth were for social rent – the lowest in the whole of London.

It is a local education authority and is also responsible for council housing, social services, libraries, waste collection and disposal, traffic, and most roads and environmental health.

The 1882 building was badly damaged during the Blitz and was eventually demolished to make way for a large modern office extension to the Town Hall complex, which was completed in 1975.