The 1800s saw increasing demand for local services. In Thame, the Local Government Act (1858) led to the creation of a Local Board in 1871, which became the Urban District Council (UDC) in 1894. The 15 councillors included 5 farmers, 4 tradesmen and 3 professional men.
Elected members of Thame UDC were responsible for public health, housing, rating, planning, building regulations, water supplies, sewerage, some roads, and evacuation (during World War Two).
The UDC was absorbed into South Oxfordshire District Council in 1974. Today, the locally elected Thame Town Council sits in the Town Hall.