[7] The early borough was entirely in Gloucestershire, being on the north side of the original course of the River Avon, which formed the county boundary with Somerset.

From the 13th century the borough boundaries were extended to include the Redcliffe area on the south side of river.

This therefore had the effect of restoring the city council to the powers it had held when Bristol was a county borough prior to 1974.

As a consequence of being made a non-metropolitan county, the ceremonial position of Lord Lieutenant of Bristol was also created in 1996.

The mayor exercised executive powers and chose councillors to sit in a cabinet.

[22][23] A combined authority was established in 2017 covering Bristol and the neighbouring Bath and North East Somerset and South Gloucestershire areas, called the West of England Combined Authority.

Green councillor Tony Dyer was subsequently appointed leader of the council and chair of the co-ordinating Strategy and Resources Policy Committee.

Other policy committee chair positions were shared amongst the Greens and Liberal Democrats.

[57] The council meets and has its main offices at City Hall on College Green.

[60] The Bristol City Youth Council (BCYC) are an elected group of young people aged 11 to 18.

This is in addition to several co-optees from special representation groups such as Young Carers, Unity Youth, and the Children in Care Council.

The purpose of the Youth Council is to express young people's views on the decisions that are important to them and that their opinions are voiced and heard.