Elected county councils were created in 1889 under the Local Government Act 1888, taking over many administrative functions that had previously been performed by unelected magistrates at the quarter sessions.

The districts are:[8][9] Much of the county is also covered by civil parishes, which form a third tier of local government.

The chairmen from 1889 to 1974 were:[13] Since 1974 the chair has been a more ceremonial role, with political leadership provided instead by the leader of the council.

[40] New division boundaries have been drawn up to take effect from the next elections, likely to be postponed from the scheduled date of May 2025.

[43] The council is in charge of all Nursery, Primary and Secondary state schools throughout Norfolk which are not academies, but not Tertiary education.

The council is responsible for coordinating and managing the adult social care of the population of Norfolk.

This work was overseen by the Adult Social Care Committee based at County Hall.

However, in May 2019 the committee was abolished and its responsibilities transferred to the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, Public Health and Prevention.

See Healthcare in Norfolk for the details of the different NHS bodies charged with delivering health in the county.

[57] Norfolk County Council offered grant aid for landscape conservation, submitted to the Director of Planning and Transportation.

[60] Between 1995 and 2000, the Trust played a major role in restoring the Denver Mill site, at a cost of over £1 million.