Municipal Borough of Surbiton facts for kids
| Surbiton | |
| Motto: Consilio Et Animis (By Wisdom and Courage) |
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 Surbiton Town Hall |
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| Geography | |
| Status | Improvement Commissioners District(1855 - 1894) Urban district (1894 - 1936) Municipal borough (after 1936) |
| 1894 area | 3,046 acres (12.3 km2) |
| 1965 area | 4,710 acres (19.1 km2) |
| HQ | 17 Ewell Road, Surbiton |
| History | |
| Created | 1855 |
| Abolished | 1965 |
| Succeeded by | Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames |
Quick facts for kids Demography |
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| 1901 population | 15,017 |
| 1961 population | 62,977 |
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Surbiton was a special area in Surrey, United Kingdom. It had its own local government from 1855 to 1965. This means it had its own rules and leaders for many years. Later, Surbiton became part of Greater London.
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How Surbiton's Government Started
Before 1855, Surbiton was part of a larger area called Kingston upon Thames. It was like a smaller part of a bigger town. In 1855, a group of people called "improvement commissioners" were formed. They were like a local council. They were set up by a special law passed by the government. Their job was to manage and improve the Surbiton area.
Changes in Surbiton's Local Government
Over time, Surbiton's government changed. In 1894, a new law called the Local Government Act 1894 was passed. This law changed the "Improvement Commissioners District" into an "urban district." An urban district was a type of local government area. A new group, the Surbiton Urban District Council, took over from the commissioners.
Expanding Surbiton's Area
Surbiton's size grew in the following years. In 1895, the areas of Hook and Tolworth joined Surbiton. These places used to be part of the Kingston Rural District. Later, in 1933, Chessington also became part of Surbiton. It had been part of the Epsom Rural District.
Becoming a Municipal Borough
In 1936, Surbiton received a special honor. It was given a "charter of incorporation." This meant it became a "municipal borough." A municipal borough was a more important type of town. It had more power to manage its own affairs.
When Surbiton's Government Ended
Surbiton's local government lasted until 1965. A group called the Royal Commission on Local Government in Greater London looked at how local areas were run. Surbiton's council wanted to join Greater London. However, the Surrey County Council, which Surbiton was part of, did not agree.
In 1965, Surbiton's local government was officially ended. Its area became part of Greater London. It was merged into a larger area called the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames.
Surbiton's Old Town Hall
The old Town Hall in Ewell Road is still standing today. You can see a special winged lion on its front. This lion was part of Surbiton's old coat of arms. After Surbiton joined the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames, the building was used as a courthouse. It is now a Grade II listed building, meaning it's important and protected.
Surbiton's Coat of Arms
Every town or borough often has a special symbol called a coat of arms. Surbiton's coat of arms had a blue background. On it, there was a green elm tree in front of a rising golden sun.
Symbols on the Coat of Arms
The coat of arms also had "supporters." These were two stags, which are male deer. They stood on either side of the main shield. Above the shield, there was a "crest." This was a winged lion resting on a bridge. These symbols can still be seen today. For example, they are in a stained glass window at Saint Mark's parish church in Surbiton.
