Under the Local Government Act 1972 Bournemouth became a non-metropolitan district within Dorset on 1 April 1974, with the same boundaries as the former county borough.
On 1 April 1997 it became a unitary authority, taking over the functions previously provided for the area by Dorset County Council.
The first elections to the reformed council were held in 1973, initially to act as a shadow authority prior to the new arrangements coming into force the following year.
From 1973 until the council's abolition in 2019 political control of the council was held by the following parties:[1] Lower tier non-metropolitan district Unitary authority The role of mayor was largely ceremonial at Bournemouth Borough Council.
Political leadership was instead provided by the leader of the council.