It is currently under no overall control, with Labour, the Liberal Democrats and the Green Party each holding chair positions in a proportionate number of committees.

[7] From 1974 to 1986 Sheffield was a district-level authority, with county-level services provided by South Yorkshire County Council.

[9] The UK government and the international community officially recognise Somaliland as a part of Somalia.

In September 2019 this petition was accepted as valid under the provisions of the Localism Act 2011, forcing the council to hold a referendum on changing the council's executive arrangements from the Leader and Cabinet system to a Committee system.

[11] The referendum was postponed from May 2020 (due to the COVID-19 pandemic) and took place on 6 May 2021, with 65% voting for change to a Committee system.

Political control of the council since 1974 has been as follows:[17] The role of Lord Mayor of Sheffield is largely ceremonial and is usually held by a different councillor each year.

The council meets at Sheffield Town Hall on Pinstone Street in the city centre.

It is also a major employer in the city, with more than 8,000 employees, including all state school staff in its role as Local Education Authority (LEA).