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.

The incumbent leader of the council is the Labour councillor Georgia Gould, who has held that position since 2017.

[4] The leader of the Liberal Democrat group on the council, Luisa Porritt, stood as her party's candidate in the 2021 London mayoral election, coming fourth with 4.4% of the vote.

[5] In June 2021, the Liberal Democrat councillor for Fortune Green ward, Flick Rea, resigned.

A by-election to replace her was held on 22 July 2021, which was won by the Liberal Democrat candidate and former councillor for the ward Nancy Jirira.

[8] In December 2021, the Conservative group leader Oliver Cooper said he would change wards to the Belsize, which was marginal between his party and the Liberal Democrats.

[9] In February 2022, Porritt announced she would stand down as a councillor at the 2022 election, citing work commitments.

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

[13] The Evening Standard reported that junctions near Holborn tube station where several cyclists had been killed might be a factor in the election, after planned changes were paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic affecting funding.