The Municipal Council was established after the passing of the Municipal Act of 1856 and it had a regular budget. In 1887, the first Municipal Ordinance by the SS was passed and the Municipal Commissioners were provided with an office within the Municipality for the transaction of business. The Municipal Commissioners were authorised to expend municipal funds on public safety, public lighting, regulation of traffic, public health, markets, drainage works, the cleaning of streets, bridges, the naming of streets, and the construction, purchase and maintenance of all buildings.
The Municipal Council became known as the City Council when Singapore was formally proclaimed a City on 22 September 1951.
