Liverpool City Council has existed since 1880, when Liverpool was awarded city status. Prior to this date the local authority was a town council. Since 1973 one third of Liverpool City Council in Merseyside, England is elected each year for three years, followed by one year without election. (This gap year was the election year for Merseyside Metropolitan County Council elections in 1973, 1977 and 1981 (after which the County Council was abolished). Since the last boundary changes in 2004, 90 councillors have been elected from 30 wards.Before 1973, elections were held every year for one third of the council. The term of office for councillors was three years.