[6][7] The district was awarded borough status with effect from 23 August 1996, allowing the chair of the council to take the title of mayor.

In its capacity as a county council it is a local education authority, responsible for social services, libraries and waste disposal.

In July 2017 it was announced that the Council and the local Clinical Commissioning Group would have a joint chief executive.

Political control of the council since 1996 has been as follows:[11] The role of mayor is largely ceremonial in North East Lincolnshire.

[19] The wards are:[19] The borough straddles the parliamentary constituencies of Great Grimsby and Cleethorpes and Brigg and Immingham.