The council consists of the mayor of New Westminster, and six councillors elected to serve a four-year term.

[1][2] The council was the first municipal government to be established in mainland British Columbia in 1860 by the Municipal Council Act.

[4] This changed in 1973 when the provincial government mandated that the council would be led by a separately elected mayor.

[4] The current mayor is Patrick Johnstone, a member of the Community First New West political party.

[5] City council meetings are held in New Westminster City Hall, and are usually scheduled on Monday evenings.