The first local authority for the town of St Helens was a body of improvement commissioners established in 1845.

Some strategic functions in the area are provided by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority; the leader of St Helens Borough Council sits on the combined authority as St Helens' representative.

[13] 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:[15][16] The role of mayor is largely ceremonial in St Helens, usually being held by a different councillor each year.

The leaders since 1974 have been:[17] Following the 2022 election, the composition of the council was as follows:[27] In December 2024 Reform UK won a by-election in Blackbrook ward, reducing the number of labour councillors to 28.

[30] The council's main offices are in the adjoining Wesley House on Corporation Street.