[9] In 1974 Plymouth became a lower-tier non-metropolitan district under the Local Government Act 1972, with Devon County Council providing county-level services to the city for the first time.

[10][11] Plymouth regained its independence from the county council on 1 April 1998 when it was made a unitary authority following the recommendations of the Banham Commission.

Political control of the council since the 1974 reforms has been as follows:[16] Lower tier non-metropolitan district Unitary authority The role of Lord Mayor is largely ceremonial in Plymouth.

[34] The council's main offices are at Ballard House on West Hoe Road adjoining the docks in the Millbay area of the city, having moved there from the tower block wing of the Civic Centre in 2014.

[35][36] The tower block wing of the Civic Centre was sold to developers Urban Splash in 2015[37] and later re-purchased to be redeveloped into a City College Plymouth campus in 2024.

The role of the Lord Mayor is largely ceremonial, and has evolved into a figurehead position which is the public, non-political image of Plymouth City Council.

The crown and anchor were part of the crest of the former County Borough of Devonport and represent the importance of the Royal Navy in the life of the city.

[41] The Latin motto, Turris Fortissima est Nomen Jehova, means "The name of Jehovah is the strongest tower".