The previous council was controlled by Independents in coalition with the Liberal Democrat group and the single Labour member.
A single candidate was elected as a non-party independent (Gareth Lloyd Cletwr in Llandysilio-gogo).
[2] Cllr Peter Davies (Ind, Capel Dewi) was elected unopposed in 2008.
Alan Thomas) and won re-election in 2004 by 188 votes over Plaid Cymru (31%) and in the last Cabinet (that was dissolved at the same time as the last meeting of the council) was the Cabinet member with responsibility for Economic Development Alun Lloyd Jones had left the Plaid Cymru group and joined the Independents after the 1999 election.
First elected in 1999 (gaining the seat from the Liberal Democrats as an Independent candidate) joined Plaid Cymru at the close of nominations in 2008.
A by-election was held in the Aberystwyth Rheidol ward following the resignation of Liberal Democrat councillor Eric Griffiths.