As Solihull rapidly developed in the twentieth century, it was promoted to higher statuses within the administrative hierarchy, becoming an urban district in 1932, then a municipal borough in 1954, and then a county borough in 1964, taking over county-level functions from Warwickshire County Council.

[11] Parts of the borough are covered by civil parishes, which form an additional tier of local government for their areas.

Political control of the council since the 1974 reforms took effect has been as follows:[13][14] The role of mayor is largely ceremonial in Solihull.

The latter includes the council chamber and forms part of the same building as the town's register office.

Church Hill House was completed in 1967 and the Civic Suite followed in 1968, both being purpose-built for the old borough council.