South Tyneside was created on 1 April 1974 under the Local Government Act 1972 as a metropolitan district within the new county of Tyne and Wear.

[3] The new district was awarded borough status from its creation, allowing the chair of the council to take the title of mayor.

In 2024 a combined authority was established covering South Tyneside, County Durham, Gateshead, Newcastle upon Tyne, North Tyneside, Northumberland and Sunderland, called the North East Mayoral Combined Authority.

It is chaired by the directly elected Mayor of the North East and oversees the delivery of certain strategic functions across the area.

The first election to the council was held in 1973, initially operating as a shadow authority before coming into its powers on 1 April 1974.