Plans are underway for some services to be delivered by town councils in West Dorset – as the county faces the biggest local authority shake-up in more than 40 years.

Dorset will be ruled by two councils instead of nine from April next year, with Dorset County, West Dorset District, Weymouth and Portland, Purbeck, North Dorset, East Dorset, Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch all to be replaced.

The changes will not affect town councils, but both Bridport and Lyme Regis have indicated that some services could be devolved, meaning they could take on responsibility for delivering local services previously taken care of by the district or county councils.

The long-awaited decision was announced in the House of Commons on Monday.

Communities Secretary Sajid Javid has been considering the ‘Future Dorset’ proposals for more than a year. The plans will see the creation of two new ‘super councils’. A Dorset Area authority will govern in western Dorset and a Conurbation authority would be set up for Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch.

In the current “two tier” system, Dorset County Council shares local administration with other authorities but the new unitary council will be the sole provider of services – which are expected to create ‘stronger and more accountable leadership.’

There will be fewer councillors and it is also hoped the reorganisation will reduce overhead costs, potentially saving Dorset councils £28 million a year, which can be pumped into frontline services.

Cllr Sarah Williams, leader of Bridport Town Council said: “Bridport Town Council is pleased that a decision has now been taken to establish the new unitary authorities in Dorset. The Town Council is already looking at the delivery, management and funding of discretionary services, currently provided by the District or County Councils and that are better delivered locally and that matter so much to the health and vitality of towns. This includes services such as tourism, public toilets, open space management, community facilities, minor highway maintenance etc. It looks forward to continuing to work with the District and County Councils on future service devolution as part of the preparation for the unitary councils.”

Lyme Regis town clerk John Wright said: “Lyme Regis Town Council welcomes the decision of the Communities’ Secretary and looks forward to working with both the district and county councils through the transition period.

“The town council is in the process of developing proposals to safeguard services in Lyme Regis and hopes to conclude these discussions before the new unitary councils are formed.

“The town council looks forward to working with the successor council.”

PANEL?

West Dorset MP Sir Oliver Letwin said: “The only way for Dorset councils to continue delivering the services we need and to begin to solve the massive challenges we face in adult social services and children’s services is by slimming down the over-heads by moving from nine councils to just two. These proposals will do just that.”

The proposals were supported by 73 per cent of residents, all strategic stakeholders, eight of nine local councils and seven of the eight Dorset MPs?.

Cllr Rebecca Knox, chairman of the Dorset Area Joint Committee and leader of DCC said she was ‘delighted’ the committee had an opportunity “to create a new council for the heart of the county.”

In a joint statement, the leaders of the nine councils said it was an historic day for public services in Dorset.

“The opportunity to change the way we provide services will help us save money, give greater accountability to council tax payers and service users, and protect public services for future generations,” they said.

Chairman of Dorset LEP Jim Stewart said: “Two leaner, stronger councils will be more influential on the national stage and be better equipped to secure funding for Dorset from central government. Businesses, jobs, housing and inward investment will all benefit from the change.”