[1][2] On 1 April 2009, the district was abolished as part of the structural changes to local government in England, when its functions were taken over by the new Wiltshire unitary authority.

The political control of the council was as follows:[4] The political composition of the authority when it came to an end on 1 April 2009 was 22 Conservatives, 19 Liberal Democrats, ten Labour members, and four Independents.

In 1975 a statutory instrument established the wards to be used by Salisbury District Council.

In 1998, the Local Government Commission for England began a review of ward boundaries in Salisbury district.

After an initial draft proposal and a period of consultation it recommended a reduction in councillors from 58 to 55, and a redrawing of ward boundaries reducing the number to 28.