Bournemouth Borough Council was the local authority for Bournemouth in Dorset, England between 1974 and 2019. Prior to 1974 Bournemouth had been a county borough within Hampshire (being a county borough meant it was self-governing, being independent of Hampshire County Council). 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. In 2019 the council was abolished, merging with Christchurch and Poole to form Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.

Political control 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: (Put "Bournemouth" in search box to see specific results.)

Lower tier non-metropolitan district Party in controlYears 1973–1991 1991–1997

Unitary authority Party in controlYears 1997–2003 2003–2007 2007–2019

Leadership The role of mayor was largely ceremonial at Bournemouth Borough Council. Political leadership was instead provided by the leader of the council. The leaders from 2007 until the council's abolition in 2019 were:

Councillor Party From To Richard Smith 2007 Stephen MacLoughlin May 2007 2010 Peter Charon 19 Jul 2010 21 Feb 2012 John Beesley 21 Feb 2012 31 Mar 2019

Council elections

Non-metropolitan district elections 1973 Bournemouth Borough Council election 1976 Bournemouth Borough Council election 1979 Bournemouth Borough Council election (New ward boundaries)The Borough of Bournemouth (Electoral Arrangements) Order 1978 1983 Bournemouth Borough Council election 1987 Bournemouth Borough Council election 1991 Bournemouth Borough Council election 1995 Bournemouth Borough Council election

Unitary authority elections 1996 Bournemouth Borough Council election 1999 Bournemouth Borough Council election 2003 Bournemouth Borough Council election (New ward boundaries)legislation.gov.uk - The Borough of Bournemouth (Electoral Changes) Order 2002. Retrieved on 4 October 2015. 2007 Bournemouth Borough Council election 2011 Bournemouth Borough Council election 2015 Bournemouth Borough Council election

Council composition

The table below illustrates the seats won by the parties at each election and control of the council.

YearConservativeLiberal DemocratsIncludes totals for the predecessors of the Liberal Democrats, the Liberal Party and the Alliance.LabourGreenUKIPOthersCouncil controlafter electionLocal government reorganisation; interim council created (57 seats)19734021200319764623006New ward boundaries1979452600419833955008198737134003199120286003199521266004Council becomes a unitary authority199619286004199925206006New ward boundaries; seats decreased from 57 to 54200316333002200741730032011453300320155100111Council abolished; merged into Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole Council

Borough result maps

By-election results

1999–2003

2003–2007

2007–2011

2011–2015

2015–2019

References

External links Bournemouth Borough Council