DORSET councils are set to move forward with plans to form two unitary authorities in the county, despite three bodies voting against it.

All nine of the existing councils in Dorset have now voted on plans to replace the current structure with two authorities – one for Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole and one for East Dorset, North Dorset, Purbeck, West Dorset, Weymouth and Portland.

Dorset County Council, Weymouth and Portland Borough Council, West Dorset District Council, Poole Borough Council, Bournemouth Borough Council and North Dorset District Council all backed the plans.

Purbeck District Council, East Dorset District Council and Christchurch Borough Council voted against the plans.

The majority of public respondents to a consultation last year were in favour of the proposals but there was criticism of the way it was carried out and the lack of responses.

Dorset Council leaders will meet on Wednesday, February 8 and those councils supporting change will agree the formal proposal to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Sajid Javid.

They will ask him to use the powers available and replace Dorset’s nine council with two new unitary authorities.

If the Secretary of State agrees and the change is approved by Parliament during 2017/18, decision-making bodies would be appointed to determine the structure, budget and service delivery model of each new council.

These would be made up of councillors from all existing local authorities.

The new councils would ‘go live’ in April 2019, with full elections in May 2019.

Matt Prosser, chairman of the Dorset Chief Executives Group, said: “We are passionate about the Dorset of the future. We are collectively committed to doing the right thing for our residents and for the whole of the county – to protect services, to raise Dorset’s profile, to grow the economy, and to generate prosperity and an enhanced lifestyle for all those who live here.

“All the evidence shows that this proposal will do just that and more, and we are proud of our respective Councils for making the right decision and backing change.

“We now have a mandate from our councils and we have the backing of the public and other stakeholders. That is clear from the consultation results. Now, we have a duty to respond to that mandate and secure a sustainable and even brighter future for Dorset. We are resolved in our commitment to a county that is healthy, prosperous, vibrant and inclusive for generations to come. We now need to determine the next steps in achieving this opportunity of a lifetime.”

Councillors in Purbeck voted against the plans last night, with the result 11 in favour and 11 against, chairman, Cllr Bill Trite, used his casting vote against the recommendation.

Leader of Purbeck District Council, Councillor Gary Suttle, said: “I stated from the outset that this was to be the decision of each individual councillor. I have every respect for the outcome of the vote and will do my utmost to support the mandate that I have been given by my Council.

“It is clear this decision was not taken lightly by councillors.”