The council has been under no overall control since 2021, being led since 2023 by a minority administration of the Liberal Democrats and Green Party.

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

Charles Noel, 3rd Earl of Gainsborough, a Conservative peer, was appointed as the first chairman of the council.

[11] As a unitary authority, Rutland County Council performs both district-level and county-level functions.

[12] The whole county is also covered by civil parishes, which form a second tier of local government.

[31] The building was bought in 1937 by the county council, which had previously met at Oakham Castle and had its offices scattered around various premises in the town.

[33] As at April 2024, the council is considering whether to retain Catmose House as its headquarters or move to alternative premises.