Royal Commission on the Amalgamation of the City and County of London the ancient City of London had been prominent political topics since the 1830s. Recommendations by royal commissions given in 1837, 1854 and 1867 had largely been left unimplemented. The Local Government Act 1888 had set up a County of London which surrounded, but did not include, the square-mile and main business district of the City of London. London was therefore governed by the Corporation of London at its core and the London County Council for its metropolitan area. When the first London County Council was elected, the Progressive Party, closely allied to the parliamentary Liberals, took control. The first chairman
District of Columbia Financial Control Board traditionally reserved for the city government and responsibility for balancing the District's budget. It could approve or reject the city’s annual budget, its financial plan, and any attempts to spend or borrow in the city’s name. It could review all future and existing city contracts. The Board was expected to approve the Mayor’s appointments to key government positions, including the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), and had the authority to remove such appointees for cause. The Control Board also could disapprove District laws passed by the Council. Congress gave the Control Board four years to balance the District’s budget – a