The council is a constituent member of the East Midlands Combined County Authority.

The council was first set up in 1889 under the Local Government Act 1888,[4] covering the administrative county.

The combined authority is chaired by the directly elected Mayor of the East Midlands and oversees the delivery of certain strategic functions across the area.

This newer county hall is in a former hydrotherapy complex called Smedley's Hydro which was built in 1867.

Following the most recent Boundary Review, from the 2025 election each electoral division will be represented by a single councillor.