At the second meeting of the Tropical Diseases Committee in December 1898 it was decided that membership of the proposed Committee (later Council) should represent an association of commerce, education and clinical care in the city. This was embodied in its structure with two representatives nominated from the Liverpool Chamber of Commerce, two from the Steamship Owners' Association, two from the (Sailing) Ship Owners' Association, two from the Council of University College, two from the Senate of University College, two from the Management Committee of the Royal Southern Hospital and two from the staff of the Royal Southern Hospital. In addition to this were the Elected Members of Council, who held membership on a personal basis, rather than as a representative of a given organisation, and for a period of three years, after which time they were eligible for re-election. Council Membership also included Ex-Officio members made up of the School's Vice Presidents and, later, representatives of school staff and students. In response to the report of the Academic Review Working Party, membership of Council was extended in 1991 to include representatives of bodies relevant to the School's activities which hitherto had not been represented, namely the Overseas Development Administration, the World Health Organisation, the Medical Research Council, the British Council, the Wellcome Trust, the Regional Health Authority, the World Bank and non-governmental organisations such as the Save the Children Fund.

For Council Minutes and correspondence relating to the main functions and business of Council see the records of the Council, TM/6.