[3] Worthing's first form of urban local government was a body of improvement commissioners, established in 1803 with responsibility for street paving and lighting, sewerage and policing.

[9][10] A separate body of improvement commissioners was established in 1865 covering West Worthing, which was being developed as a new town in the neighbouring parish of Heene.

[12] The Labour Party first put up candidates in Worthing in 1919, and its first councillor, Charles Barber, was elected in 1922.

[15][16] Over the next few months tensions rose, culminating on 9 October 1934 when anti-fascist protesters met outside a blackshirt rally at the Pavilion Theatre, in what became known as the Battle of South Street.

[19] Worthing was reformed to become a non-metropolitan district in 1974 under the Local Government Act 1972.

[28] Political control of the council since the 1974 reforms has been as follows:[29][30] The role of mayor is largely ceremonial in Worthing.

The leaders since 2002 have been: Following the 2024 election, and three Labour Worthing councillors resigning from the party[42] three days later, plus 2 by-elections Since, in Marine Ward and Heene ward where the Conservatives made gains from the Labour Party, the composition of the council is:

[45][46] The borough's coat of arms includes three silver mackerel, a Horn of Plenty overflowing with corn and fruit on a cloth of gold, and the figure of a woman, considered likely to be Hygieia, the ancient Greek goddess of health, holding a snake.

The images represent the health given from the seas, the fullness and riches gained from the earth and the power of healing.

Worthing's motto is the Latin Ex terra copiam e mari salutem, which translates as 'From the land plenty and from the sea health'.

The design was created in 1890 shortly after the town's incorporation as a borough, to serve as its official seal.