In 1879, the district was enlarged by the addition of part of Thornham township. The Local Government Act 1894 reconstituted the area as an urban district, and Royton Urban District Council replaced the local board. The urban district was divided into five wards: Dogford, Dryclough, Haggate, Heyside, and Thornham, with each ward returning three councillors to the fifteen-member council.
The area underwent expansion in 1879 by incorporating part of Thornham township. Subsequently, the Local Government Act 1894 restructured the region as an urban district, and Royton Urban District Council took over from the local board. The urban district was subsequently partitioned into five electoral areas: Dogford, Dryclough, Haggate, Heyside, and Thornham, each electing three councillors to a fifteen-member council.