Stevenage's first elected council was a local board established in 1873, prior to which the town had been administered by the parish vestry.

[6] The district was awarded borough status on the same date, allowing the chair of the council to take the title of mayor.

The first elections to the borough council as reformed under the Local Government Act 1972 were held in 1973, initially acting as a shadow authority until the new arrangements took effect on 1 April 1974.

[13] The wards are: The council is based at Daneshill House on Danestrete in the town centre.

The building was bought by the council in 1980 when the development corporation was wound up.