It gained the neighbouring town of Darwen and several other rural parishes, and became a non-metropolitan district, with Lancashire County Council providing county-level services.

[13] Blackburn with Darwen remains part of the ceremonial county of Lancashire for the purposes of lieutenancy.

[14] As a unitary authority, Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council provides both district-level and county-level functions.

Parts of the borough are covered by civil parishes, which form an additional tier of local government for their areas.

Political control of the council since the 1974 reforms has been as follows:[17][18] Lower tier non-metropolitan district Unitary authority The role of mayor is largely ceremonial in Blackburn with Darwen.