The village re-acquired civil parish status including a parish council in 2004 and the council designated the area an urban village in February 2007. The village was privately owned from 1160 to 1866 when a local board was formed to manage the village. The board managed Clayton's roads, sewers, lighting and refuse collection. The board also laid gas and water pipes in the village. In the Local Government Act 1894 the Board was replaced by Clayton District Council. The council created a crew of local fire fighters for the village until Clayton grew too large for these to be able to cope at which point Bradford Corporation was paid to cover the village with their fire brigade and ambulance service.