In article , Richard J.
writes
There is no formal definition, that I can find, of "ceremonial
purposes".

See
http://www.publications.parliament.u.../vo960229/text
/60229w02.htm
and
http://www.odpm.gov.uk/stellent/grou...ents/page/odpm
_locgov_605206-01.hcsp

Thanks for that.

It looks like civil servants are using the term "ceremonial county" as a
convenient shorthand, but the legislation itself doesn't.

For example, the County Borough of Reading was still regarded
as being in Berkshire despite being independent of it as far as local
government was concerned, even to the extent of having its own police
force.

As indeed did Southend-on-Sea. Complete with white helmets.

And for some years after amalgamation[*], it was the "Essex and
Southend-on-Sea Joint Constabulary".
[*] The former Southend area was expanded into Rayleigh and Rochford and
then split into two, forming H (Southend East) and J (Southend West)
Divisions. The old Southend HQ became H Divisional HQ, while J got a new
police station on Rayleigh High Street.

Seeing that S-o-S officers kept their shoulder numbers, and Essex
officers got renumbered in the event of a clash, it's arguable that
Southend was seen as the more important force :-)

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