[4][5] The district was awarded borough status with effect from 16 December 1996, allowing the chair of the council to take the title of mayor.

Such functions are managed by joint committees of the four unitary authorities which now cover the area.

[3] Much of the borough is covered by civil parishes, which form a lower tier of local government.

The only part of the borough not covered by civil parishes is Scunthorpe, which is an unparished area.

Political control of the council since 1995 has been as follows:[9] The role of mayor is largely ceremonial in North Lincolnshire.

Until 2019 the council's main offices were at Scunthorpe Civic Centre on Ashby Road.