Bridgend County Borough and its council came into effect from 1 April 1996, following the Local Government (Wales) Act 1994.

The first election to the council was held in 1995, initially operating as a shadow authority before coming into its powers on 1 April 1996.

Prior to the May 2008 elections Bridgend Council was run by a coalition of Liberal Democrat, Conservative, Plaid Cymru and Independent councillors.

Keith Edwards and Ross Thomas, who'd been deselected by Labour for voting against the proposed local authority merger, won as Independents in Maesteg.

[13] The council is based at the Civic Offices on Angel Street in Bridgend, on the banks of the River Ogmore (Welsh: Afon Ogwr).