For example: David Miles, former Chief Archaeologist of EH writes in The Tribes of Britain (2005)

"At Carshalton, a late Bronze Age ringwork physically dominates what David Yates called the "regimented landscape" below: every late Bronze Age field, and the animals and people in them, could be observed from the ringwork." He gives another example at the junction of the Thames and Kennet at Marshall's Hill and elsewhere.

So, could that idea be extended as a possible function of the things we currently call henges?

All I can say in answer is:

The English Heritage NMR Monument Type Thesaurus is the standard reference for the terminology of monument types within England. If some people use terms such as 'ringwork' inappropriately, then perhaps they should be told to correct their mistake(s).