From 1878 until the 1989 local government reforms, the area was administered by a borough council.

[7] Hugo Friedlander was the second mayor when he resigned in July 1892 as he had urgent business in England to attend to.

[8] Henry Davis was declared elected unopposed for 12 years in a row.

[9][10] Methven farmer Angus McKay was mayor for two terms from the 2010 local elections to 2016.

[12] Since 2019, the current mayor has been Neil Brown; he was sworn in on 24 October.