In 1864, following the possibility of Swindon and Highworth being merged, the Local Government Act 1858 was applied to both New and Old Swindon, with each area setting up its own local administration. The New Swindon Local Board held its first meeting on 27 April 1864 at the Mechanics' Institute, with the GWR's William Frederick Gooch as chairman. The Old Swindon Local Board met for the first time on 10 August 1865 at the Town Hall, Old Swindon, with a grocer, Phillip Hawe Mason, as chairman.