Torquay is part and the Administrative HQ of Torbay, created in 1968 as a county borough with Torquay being the county town before returning to a two-tier system of local government under Devon County Council in 1974, from the amalgamation of the Boroughs of Torquay, Paignton and Brixham. Historically part of the county of Devon, Torbay was made a unitary authority on 1 April 1998, making it responsible for its own affairs. For local elections, the district is divided into 11 wards, 7 of them in Torquay. The main council offices are at Torquay Town Hall, built c. 1911.