[2][3] Whilst an election for the County Council had already been planned, District Council Elections were delayed due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, meaning that they are due to be held at the same time as the Hampshire County Council Elections.

[4] After the previous elections, the Liberal Democrats took control of the council from the Conservative Party, with the Liberal Democrats holding 27 seats of the 23 required for a majority, and the Conservatives holding the remaining 18.

Subsequent to the 2019 election, two Conservative Councillors left the party and a further was suspended, whilst a Liberal Democrat councillor resigned, leaving a vacancy.

[5][6][7][8] As such, prior to the 2021 election, the Liberal Democrats held 26 seats, the Conservatives 15, and three councillors sat as independents.

[9] The Count for these elections took place on Saturday, 8 May 2021, and results were published by the Council.