A RADICAL move to merge three councils in a groundbreaking union to save £6 million are to be discussed.

A business case outlining how North Dorset District Council, West Dorset District Council and Weymouth and Portland Borough Council could work together will be considered by councillors in a series of meetings.

The £6 million to be saved by 2020 by the ‘tri-partnership’ was revealed in the Echo earlier this year.

No redundancies have been identified, but it is understood job losses will be made at senior management level.

Each council would remain independent and have its own councillors, and continue to set its own budget and council tax.

The creation of a tri-partnership would see a single work-force serving all three authorities. Office accommodation and ICT systems would be ‘streamlined and shared to increase efficiency.’

The partnership would serve more than 235,000 people, covering more than half the shire county of Dorset.

Economies of scale and efficiency improvements mean that significant joint savings could be made, say the councils. However, the partnership would also bring other benefits.

Together the three councils would have a ‘stronger voice and have more influence locally and nationally.’ A tri-authority partnership would also be more resilient in the face of a crisis or unusual event, like the Olympics, as more staff could be deployed. A larger workforce also means greater expertise and experience would be available for communities to draw on.

In a joint statement, NDDC Leader Deborah Croney WDDC Leader Robert Gould, and Mike Byatt, W&PBC spokesman for Corporate Affairs and Continuous Improvement said: “Radical decisions are being considered because all three councils are ambitious to provide better value-for-money services and yet are facing very difficult financial situations.

“Together the councils believe they could provide more flexible services at a reduced cost to the taxpayer. “These plans will be considered very carefully by each council before any decisions are taken.” The business case for a tri-authority partnership has been drawn-up against the back drop of a tough financial climate. Government funding to all three councils has been reduced by more than 50 per cent in the five years up to 2015/2016. Reductions are likely to continue. A successful partnership has already been created between West Dorset and Weymouth and Portland, saving £3m a year since 2010.

It is hoped Government funding can help establish the three-way partnership, if councillors approve the plans. A total of £1.5 million may be available from the Transformation Challenge Award Fund. The Tri-authority Partnership Business Case will be considered by councillors this autumn. Councillors will then vote whether or not to commit to a three-way partnership at their full council meetings.

The next full council meeting will take place at West Dorset on October 23, at North Dorset on October 31 and at Weymouth and Portland on November 6.