Pensions, War Emergency and Women's War Agriculture. 1919–1929 Events that took place were: 1921: Adult education introduced 1922: Council's first female councillor, Amy Walmley elected 1926: School meals introduced in Sharnbrook. National Hadrow Report on education recommendation for a three-tier education system for infants, juniors and seniors adopted in the county 1924: Service established 1929–1939 Events that took place were: 1929 Local Government Act transferred powers and responsibilities to the Council from The Poor Law Unions, transferred roads maintained by District Councils gave powers to create an overall Regional Plan in conjunction with the district councils 1939–1949 Events that took place were: War Agriculture Committee ensured derelict land brought back to farming and more efficient use of existing farmland 1944 Education Act created new three-tier education system of primary, secondary and further and gave Bedfordshire County Council power over all state schools (but delegated running of schools in Bedford and Luton to their established Borough Educations Departments) 1947: Fire Service became a Council responsibility 1948: Creation of NHS reduced Council's medical responsibilities to little more than the Ambulance Service. Council given oversight of children and welfare. 1952: County Plan produced by County Planning Officer, E. Stearne supported 1937 Council report calling for a bypass of Bedford and Luton 1950–1974 Events that took place were: 1969–1974: Fully comprehensive education system introduced by Bedfordshire County Council including alteration of school buildings, closures and a number of propose built schools 1960 Home Helps and Chiropody Service established May 1963: County Council voted by 46 votes to 6 for a new purpose-built County Hall to be designed by Deputy County Architect, Douglas Chalk overseen by County Architect, John Barker By 1964 twelve new residential care homes for the elderly were opened Major building programmes led by ’s Department, building fire stations, ambulance stations, libraries, police stations, schools and made alterations to children’s homes. July 1969: Records Office and Library relocated to the Riverside Building at County Hall November 1969: Council staff moved into the new County Hall. October 1970: County Hall officially opened by the Duchess of Kent 1974: Local Government Act 1972 led to creation of 3 new district councils replacing smaller urban and rural districts, the abolition of ‘county boroughs’ such as Luton County Borough and a new County Council of 83 members (later 73). 1979–1989 Events that took place were: 1976: Creation of Bedfordshire College of Higher Education Various road schemes