When elected county councils were established under the Local Government Act 1888 one provision of the act was that boroughs could no longer straddle county boundaries, as Tamworth did.

[5] On 1 April 1974 the borough became a non-metropolitan district, altering its powers and responsibilities but keeping the same area.

[10] Political control of the council since 1974 reforms took effect has been as follows:[11][12] The role of mayor is largely ceremonial in Tamworth.

[18] The council's main offices are at Marmion House, a tower block on Lichfield Street which had been built in 1960 and was bought by the council in 1980, opening as its headquarters the following year.

[19] Prior to 1981 the council had met at the Town Hall and had its main offices at the White House at 21 Church Street, which had been purchased in 1888 after the council outgrew the limited office space at the Town Hall.