The first election to the council was held in 1964, initially operating as a shadow authority ahead of the new system coming into full effect the following year. Political control of the council since 1964 has been held by the following parties:
Wards were established for Havering when it came into existence on 1 April 1965. The first elections of ward councillors took place in 1964.[6] These boundaries were also used for the 1968, 1971 and 1974 elections. For the 1978 elections the ward boundaries were revised.[2] These boundaries were then also used at the 1982, 1986 and 1990 elections.
For the May 1994 elections there were minor adjustments to London borough boundaries, which affected the area and population of some Havering wards.[7][8] These boundaries were also used at the 1998 elections. The ward boundaries were revised at the May 2002 elections.[4] These boundaries were also used at the 2006, 2010, 2014 and 2018 elections. The current ward boundaries came into effect at the May 2022 elections.[9]