at County Hall, an office building at 11 Portland Street in Manchester, built in 1974. Council meetings were held at Manchester Town Hall. After the council's abolition, County Hall was sold to Parc Securities in 1988 for an undisclosed sum, believed to be between £5 and £6 million, and refurbished for offices. County Hall Properties bought the structure from Parc two years later and renamed it Westminster House, alluding to the government that abolished the Greater Manchester County Council; the managing director of County Hall (Manchester) Management, the former GMCC economic development chief and former Parc consultant Leslie Boardman, declined to disclose the purchase price in 1992, but press reports put it at about £22 million. The seven-storey building became used by the Halifax and Chelsea building societies, the AGF and Scottish Amicable insurance companies, and the German consulate. Political control The first election to the council was held in 1973, initially operating as a shadow authority before coming into its powers on 1 April 1974. Political control of the council from 1974 until its abolition in 1986 was held by the following parties: Leadership The leaders of the council were: Council elections Elections were held to the Greater Manchester County Council three times, in 1973, 1977, and 1981. Elections were due to be held in 1985 but these were cancelled due to the council's impending abolition. Those councillors elected in 1981 had their terms of office extended until the council's abolition on 31 March 1986. Coat of arms The coat of arms granted by the College of Arms to the Greater Manchester Council are described as: See also Greater Manchester Combined Authority Mayor of Greater Manchester Notes References History of Greater Manchester Local government in Greater Manchester 1986 disestablishments in England 1973 establishments in England Former county councils of England