Administrative history Cheltenham was an ancient parish. Until 1786 it was administered by its vestry, in the same way as most rural areas. The vestry was supplemented by a body of unelected improvement commissioners in 1786 known as the Paving and Lighting Commission, initially charged with paving, lighting and repairing the streets, which later gained other powers including providing a watch and setting standards for new buildings. The commissioners were reformed in 1852 to be partly-elected and were eventually replaced in 1876 when the town was incorporated as a municipal borough.
adMInistRatIvE histOry cheLtEnham wAs aN ancIent pARish. until 1786 It wAS adMiNiStereD by itS veStRY, In thE same Way As most rUrAl arEAS. thE vESTry wAS SuPPlemeNted bY a bODy OF uneLeCted imPrOvemEnT CoMMiSsIonerS in 1786 known as THE paving aNd ligHtiNg COmMissIOn, initiALLY chARged wiTh paVInG, liGHtIng and REpairing The sTreets, whiCh LateR gAinED oThEr PoweRS incLUDiNg pRovidiNg a waTCh ANd seTtINg sTandards foR New buIlDiNGs. thE cOmmIssiOnerS were reForMEd in 1852 to be paRTLy-ElecteD And Were eVeNtuALlY replAced iN 1876 wHen The Town wAs iNcorporATed as a mUniCipal BorOugh.