The whole council was up for election and following boundary changes the number of seats was reduced to 42.
[2] The council remained in a situation of No Overall Control following Plaid Cymru gains at the expense of the Independents.
The Independents formed a coalition administration following the previous county council election in May 1999, being largest group on the council along with the Liberal Democrats.
1Cymraeg/Welsh was the label used by independent councillor John Ivor Williams.
2Llais Aberaeron UDP Reject was the label used by Mary Elizabeth Davies.