Before (end of 1997) (22 seats, Elections Centre)
Liberal Democrats 11 · Other 5 · Conservative 3 · Labour 3
After (end of 1998) (22 seats, Elections Centre)
Liberal Democrats 8 · Conservative 6 · Other 5 · Labour 3
Ward results
Bere Regis1 seat
| S. Stone | Independent | 0 |
Lytchett Matravers1 seat · turnout 33.8%
| A. McDonald | Independent | 561 |
| J McKechnie | Liberal Democrats | 174 |
| C. Hall | Labour | 84 |
Lytchett Minster1 seat · turnout 34.8%
| M. Fry | Conservative | 1,144 |
| P Gainsford | Liberal Democrats | 613 |
| R. Cade | Labour | 344 |
Swanage South1 seat
| J. Easton | Conservative | 594 ✓ |
| Craig Sutton | Liberal Democrats | 519 |
| C. Rabson | Labour | 409 |
Wareham1 seat · turnout 40.9%
| R Anderson | Conservative | 888 |
| D. Budd | Liberal Democrats | 773 |
| E. Longshaw | Labour | 263 |
West Purbeck1 seat · turnout 36.1%
| E. Rudd | Independent | 264 |
| P Williams | Liberal Democrats | 107 |
| J Davey | Labour | 46 |
Winfrith1 seat · turnout 34.7%
| B. Debenham | Independent | 391 |
| S. White | Liberal Democrats | 88 |