In 1889, Gloucestershire County Council was established to take over some of the administrative duties undertaken by the Court of Quarter Sessions.  These duties included maintaining highways, bridges and gaols.  The County Council and Quarter Sessions also jointly ran the county police force.

From 1903, legislation extended the duties of the County Council to include education, childrens' services and welfare for the elderly (1930), planning (1933-74), libraries (1964) and waste management.