Georgian

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Council

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Queen Elizabeth's Charter

Reform

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Reform of the Council

After the Reform Act of 1831 changes in the way that Reading Council was elected were asked for. Only a small number of people had the right to become members of the council, and the 12 aldermen and their 12 assistants held office for life so there were no regular elections. The Council had limited powers looking after its buildings and the charities over which it had charge. In 1835 a new Act of Parliament changed the way that Reading and many other boroughs were organised. One of the most important changes was that members of the Council were elected by a far larger number of people and that its powers were extended to cover other matters.