The Local Government Act 1889 established District Committees to fulfil the responsibilities of County Council at a local level. South Uist & Barra District Committee therefore administered certain roles on behalf of Inverness-shire County Council headquartered in Inverness. The District Committee was composed of County Councillors for the district and representatives from the Parish of South Uist and the Parish of Barra. The Committee was governed by the regulations of the Inverness-shire County Council to which it reported periodically. Their main functions were the administration of Roads & Bridges Acts and Public Health (which included housing). They also dealt with various concerns that fell outwith the remit of the South Uist and Barra Parochial Boards (later Parish Council)
The Local Government Act 1929 lead to the abolition of South Uist & Barra District Committee and the Parish Council’s of South Uist and Barra with their powers being transferred to the new South Uist District Council and a separate Barra District Council.