WEST Dorset district council has agreed ‘in principle’ to enter into a tri-council partnership despite reservations by some councillors.

The leader of the council, Robert Gould, faced tough questions from councillors when he put forward the plans at a full council meeting at South Walks House today.

Cllr Alistair Chisholm said the report presented to full council, recommending that councillors approve a business case for the decision, was more a ‘fait accompli’ and had already been decided.

He also asked whether there was enough public support behind the plans.

Cllr Ros Kayes asked if a move towards a unitary authority would be simpler in the long term and avoid more disruption to staff.

Concerns were also raised around extra workload on council staff and the fact that some services provided by North Dorset District Council are done so by private contractors.

Cllr Robin Legg asked what discussions had gone on ‘behind the scenes’ looking at possible future partnerships with Purbeck District Council.

Despite councillors’ reservations, the recommendations were approved, though five councillors voted against the plans and four abstained.

The partnership could save the three councils £6million by 2020.

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 tri-partnership would serve more than 235,000 people and cover more than half of Dorset.

In response to Cllr Chisholm, Cllr Ronald Coatsworth said he had had a positive response when he spoke to the people in his ward about the proposals.

“No one has ever said it’s a bad idea. They think it’s a good idea because we need to save money.”

Cllr Gould added:  “We are all here today on behalf of the people that elected us.”

He added that councillors had been given ‘plenty of opportunity’ to engage in meetings and find out more about the plans before the report was presented to full council.

The recommendations did not mean that West Dorset would lose its sovereignty or identity, Cllr Gould said.

Chief executive Matt Prosser said part of North Dorset’s IT service, pay roll and revenues and benefits were provided externally.

Cllr Gould said it had been a ‘useful debate’.

He added: “There’s no easy option or risk-free way forward but this offers the best opportunity to preserve what we value so I do commend it.”

 

35 council staff have left shared services since April

LATER in the meeting it emerged that 35 members of staff have left the employment of West Dorset District and Weymouth and Portland Borough Councils since April this year.

This is out of a total of 550 staff.

Chief executive Matt Prosser told councillors during a debate on the pay scheme for the shared services partnership that exit interviews are being carried out to try to understand the reason or reasons why such a high volume of staff are leaving.

A report on the outcome is due to be put before the shared services committee.

Councillors approved the recommendations.