The borough was enlarged in 1668 to take in the Southtown area (also known as Little Yarmouth) on the south side of the River Yare in the parish of Gorleston.

[7] The modern district was formed on 1 April 1974 under the Local Government Act 1972, covering the whole area of the former county borough and parts of another two districts, which were all abolished at the same time:[8] The Lothingland parishes had been in East Suffolk prior to the 1974 reforms; their inclusion in the Great Yarmouth district was brought about as an amendment to the draft legislation at committee stage proposed by Anthony Fell, Member of Parliament for the Great Yarmouth constituency.

Parts of the borough are also covered by civil parishes, which form a third tier of local government.

Political control of the council since 1974 has been as follows:[18][19] The role of mayor is largely ceremonial in Great Yarmouth.

The votes come from 11 to 18-year olds and are combined to make the decision of the next, 2-year Member of Youth Parliament.

The elections are run at different times across the country with Great Yarmouth's typically being in early Spring and bi-annually.

[28] The borough comprises the urban area of Great Yarmouth itself, together with 21 surrounding parishes.