He also served as a founder member of the Metropolitan Water Board in 1903–1904. He was later elected as a member of the London County Council for the Progressive Party for Newington Walworth for various years between 1906 and 1913.[8] In 1911 Dawes was appointed to the Joint Committee of the two Houses of Parliament to consider the Bill promoted by the Metropolitan Water Board to construct a series of new works and reservoirs on the River Thames at Staines.[9] From 1912–14 he was Chairman of the Insurance Committee for the County of London,[10] created to administer the medical aspects of the National Insurance Act of 1911, which for the first time established compulsory contributory insurance against illness and unemployment for workers.[7] Dawes Street, London SE 17 was named after him to commemorate his appointment as the first Mayor of the Borough of Southwark.[11]