Ceredigion County Council is a unitary authority created in 1996 as a result of local government re-organisation. It covers an area of 180,500 hectares (696 square miles) and has a population of 74,000.

It has responsibility for environmental health, housing, planning, highways, education, libraries, recreational facilities, social services, local taxation and benefits, tourism and economic development, amongst other items.

Ceredigion has adopted the Cabinet system of administration, which is led by the Council's Leader and supported by 7 Cabinet Members. The Cabinet normally meets at the Council's offices in Aberaeron on a fortnightly basis, and carries out the Executive functions for the Authority. The Council has a total of 44 elected Members. Those members that are not members of the Cabinet sit on various Scrutiny Committees. The Council comprises a Chief Executive and six Directors and is divided into departments as follows (click on the individual links for further information):

• Chef Executive and Personnel
• Corporate and Legal Services
• Education and Community Services
• Environmental Services and Housing
• Finance
• Highways, Properties and Works
• Social Services