In 1872 sanitary districts were established, giving public health and local government responsibilities for rural areas to the existing boards of guardians of poor law unions.

In 1934 it was enlarged, when a county review order added the area of the abolished Hambleden Rural District.

[3][4] The council continued to be based at the workhouse in Saunderton until the First World War, when the building was taken over for military purposes.

[5] Meetings were held at High Wycombe Guildhall for the next few years, with staff based at various offices.

[10] Bellfield House was used as secondary offices for the new council for some years, but was subsequently demolished in the early 2000s.