A total of 192 candidates stood in the election for the 60 seats being contested across 17 wards. These included a full slate from the Conservative, Labour and Liberal parties. Other candidates included 8 Communists and 4 Residents. There were 9 four-seat wards and 8 three-seat wards.
This election had aldermen as well as directly elected councillors. The Conservatives got 8 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 30 after winning 45 of the 60 seats. Overall turnout in the election was 39.5%. This turnout included 1,023 postal votes.