[2] The Local Government Act 1972 created a two-tier system of metropolitan counties and districts covering Greater Manchester, Merseyside, South Yorkshire, Tyne and Wear, the West Midlands, and West Yorkshire starting in 1974.

The body was given strategic powers covering a region that encompassed the former Merseyside metropolitan county with the addition of Halton Borough Council.

That election was originally scheduled to take place in 2020, but was delayed by a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The election will take place by multi-member first-past-the-post voting, with each ward being represented by up to three councillors.

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