They are the principal authorities in Greater London and have responsibilities including education, housing, planning, highways, social services, libraries, recreation, waste, environmental health and revenue collection.

Some of the powers are shared with the Greater London Authority, which also manages passenger transport, police, and fire.

[8] In April 2021, the Labour councillor Jo Cooper resigned her East Barnet seat to focus on her work for the NHS.

[11][12][13] Later in May 2021, the Conservative councillor for Childs Hill, Shimon Ryde, changed his affiliation to independent "to deal with a personal matter".

[14] In July 2021, three Jewish Conservative councillors failed to be reselected by their party as candidates for the 2022 election.

Barnet had been the top target council for Labour to win in London in 2014 and 2018; in neither time was the party successful.

[18] Nick Bowes, the chief executive of the Centre for London, wrote that the result "will reveal how successfully Keir Starmer has shaken off Jeremy Corbyn’s toxic legacy on antisemitism".

[20] Transport for London's plans to build housing on some station car parks were considered a potential issue in the election.

The election took place by multi-member Plurality block voting, with each ward being represented by two or three councillors.

All registered electors (British, Irish, Commonwealth and European Union citizens) living in London aged 18 or over were entitled to vote in the election.