COUNCILS are showing their support for plans to implement the biggest shake-up to local government in more than 40 years.

The deadline for comments to be sent to the government, was on Monday (8) and Bridport and Lyme Regis Town Councils, and West Dorset District Councils, have expressed support for the unitary authorities.

The decision will be taken by Secretary of State Sajid Javid, who said he was 'minded to' agree to the proposals in December. A further consultation period has now ended and Mr Javid is expected to make his final decision.

The Secretary of State remained in his role after a Cabinet reshuffle earlier this week, and has had housing added to his brief.

If the unitary authority does go ahead, town councils may take on more responsibilities.

In their response, Bridport Town Council noted that they have already shown a 'willingness' to do this, having taken over the management of the Tourist Information Centre in 2017 and helping to establish and provide significant funding for a new community run trust that has taken on the management of the Bridport Youth and Community Centre.

But the council said if they are to take on more responsibilities, they must have the resources to do so.

The statement reads: "The town council is keen to look at what other services can be devolved as part of the establishment of the new unitary councils, but this needs to happen alongside the allocation of funding or assets to support these services. In previous consultations, the town council has commented on its wish to see a proportion of the business rates earmarked for town councils, especially if we are now to be delivering services of such importance to the town and local businesses such as tourism services, town promotion, public toilets."

At a meeting last Thursday West Dorset District Councillors agreed to leader Cllr Alford writing to the Secretary of State to set out their continued support for the Future Dorset submission.

Lyme Regis Town Council has already written to the secretary of state confirming support.

Town clerk John Wright said: “I wrote to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government to confirm the council’s support to replace the nine existing councils with two unitary authorities. 

“A response has been received from the Department for Communities and Local Government, noting the council’s views.”