[4] The area for the new town was within the Epping Rural District at the time it was designated, and broadly covered the parishes of Harlow, Latton, Netteswell, Great Parndon, and Little Parndon.

As work on the new town got underway the smaller parishes were abolished in stages.

[9] There are no civil parishes in Harlow; the entire district is an unparished area.

[19] In 2004 the council moved to Harlow Civic Centre as part of a wider retail development around the town's Water Gardens.

The new building was formally opened in May 2004 by Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester.