[6] A shadow authority was established in May 2018 to oversee the transition, comprising all elected councillors from the five districts in the new Dorset Council area, plus all councillors on Dorset County Council except the five who represented divisions in Christchurch.

The shadow authority continued to run the council until the inaugural election in May 2019.

The whole area is divided into civil parishes, which form an additional tier of local government.

[12][13] Political control of the council since its formation in 2019 has been as follows:[14] During the shadow period 2018–2019, Rebecca Knox, Conservative leader of the outgoing Dorset County Council, served as leader of the shadow authority.

[25][26][27] As part of the reforms creating the new council, it was specified that the first two elections in 2019 and 2024 should each be for a five year term of office, reverting to the normal four year terms used by other English local authorities from 2029 onwards.

[30][31] On 14 May 2024, the new cabinet was announced, including Green Party councillor from Rodwell and Wyke, Clare Sutton.

[32] 'Lead councillors' (deputy portfolio holders) were scrapped to save money.