[9] The council's full legal name is "The Mayor and Burgesses of the London Borough of Bromley".

The split of powers and functions meant that the Greater London Council was responsible for "wide area" services such as fire, ambulance, flood prevention, and refuse disposal; with the boroughs (including Bromley) responsible for "personal" services such as social care, libraries, cemeteries and refuse collection.

As an outer London borough council Bromley has been a local education authority since 1965.

[11] Since 2000 the Greater London Authority has taken some responsibility for highways and planning control from the council, but within the English local government system the council remains a "most purpose" authority in terms of the available range of powers and functions.

It is a local education authority and is also responsible for council housing, social services, libraries, waste collection and disposal, traffic, and most roads and environmental health.

[22] The council acquired the building in the early 1980s and built a large extension, moving into the enlarged complex in 1982.

[23] The council is now based at the Civic Centre at Churchill Court, having moved from Bromley Palace in December 2024.