COUNCIL chiefs have been pleased with the response as Dorset had its say of a proposed shake-up of local government.

The Reshaping Your Councils consultation seeking views on the 'super-council' plans has now closed.

There was initially a low response to the campaign but it picked up with thousands taking part in council roadshows and events over the last eight weeks.

Figures setting out the final numbers and consultation response rates will be made available soon.

The options consulted on are retaining all nine councils or creating two new unitary councils – with a further three options on how to divide these two councils.

Dorset’s nine councils have jointly thanked the thousands of residents, businesses and other stakeholders who have taken the time to have their say.

Speaking on behalf of the nine local authorities, Tony Williams, Chief Executive of Bournemouth Council said: “We have been heartened with the level of engagement local people have shown, with thousands stopping to chat or pick up more information at the 40-plus roadshows that took place across the county, attend residents’ meetings and complete the survey.

"I would like to thank each and every person and organisation who took the time to read and digest the wealth of detailed information available, and subsequently fill in the questionnaire.”

Mr Williams added: “In particular, thank you to those randomly-selected residents in the household survey who took the time to take part.”

The consultation, conducted by independent experts ORS and run in line with best-practice principles, has now closed, although any surveys received after the October 25 deadline that are postmarked October 25 or before will still be included in the analysis.

Dorset’s councils have employed three external organisations to prepare documents for consideration, in public, by each council. Local Partnerships, a company jointly owned by HM Treasury and the Local Government Association, has produced a financial report. ORS is now working on the consultation analysis report, and Price Waterhouse Coopers is preparing the case for change.

Councillors will receive the ORS and PwC reports on December 5 and have the opportunity to attend briefings. Council leaders will then meet to look at the evidence presented within the documents, and discuss recommendations to put to their respective councils. On December 23, a public report will be published for consideration by each council.

Tony Williams said: “Each council will take the report through its usual democratic process via meetings in January. These will be followed by Full Council meetings.

"All these meetings will be open to the public to attend and, in line with each council’s constitution, ask questions.

"It is not until these have all taken place that a decision will have been made on which, if any, proposal the Dorset councils will submit to the Secretary of State for consideration.”