It’s your chance to have your say on if and how key services and funding will be managed after local government reorganisation.

Bridport Town Council wants to hear from residents about town centre services as part of preparations for a new Dorset unitary authority next year.

A meeting of the town’s full council will take place on Tuesday, and a public forum will take place at the beginning allowing members of the public to share their thoughts on what the changes could mean for local services and what they think about more services being managed locally.

This includes the options for the future management of some services that are currently delivered by the district council, such as the management of public toilets, and the funding of key local organisations including Bridport Arts Centre, Citizens Advice Bureau and the museum.

The town council has been asked to decide if it wishes to manage or fund these, and other discretionary services, that may not be supported by the new unitary authority.

Cllr Sarah Williams, leader of the town council, said: “The next public open forum at the council meeting on March 27, at 7pm in the town hall, will be on

the subject of the forthcoming local government reorganisation and what it could mean for local services.

“I hope that people will come along and let us know what they think about more services being managed locally.”

Earlier this year, at a meeting of West Dorset District Council’s strategy committee, the transfer of the public toilets in Bridport and West Bay to the town council was agreed in principle after officers held informal discussions with representatives of the town council. It was identified that five public toilets and a range of other assets could be transferred.

Toilets including those at South Street car park and in West Street, Bridport, and three at West Bay car park at The Mound and East Beach could be transferred by February next year.

Each toilet has cost WDDC on average about £22,000 to manage and maintain last year, excluding staff time.

The town council expressed it will need additional finance to cover the costs of operating the facilities, and capital funding to cover short term liabilities.

The town council has also requested an opportunity to transfer the freehold interest in Bridport Museum and Coach House Stores. The museum building is leased until 2101 and the Coach House until 2029, each let at fixed nominal rents to Bridport Museum.

Members of the public are invited to Tuesday’s meeting to share their views on whether or not they believe services should be taken on by the town council following reorganisation.