A total of 154 candidates stood in the election for the 54 seats being contested across 25 wards. These included a full slate from the Conservative and Labour parties, while the Liberals stood 40 candidates. Other candidates included 3 Communists, 2 Independents and 1 Resident. There were 12 single-seat wards, 10 three-seat wards and 3 four-seat wards.
This election had aldermen as well as directly elected councillors. The Conservatives got 7 aldermen and Labour 2.
The Council was elected in 1964 as a "shadow authority" but did not start operations until 1 April 1965.
Election result
The results saw the Conservatives gain the new council with a majority of 28 after winning 41 of the 54 seats. Overall turnout in the election was 47.5%. This turnout included 750 postal votes.