HISTORIC DAY: Two councils to rule Dorset as local council shake-up approved

Communities Secretary Sajid Javid has been considering the ‘Future Dorset’ proposals for more than a year which will see the creation of two new ‘super councils’ replacing the existing local government system of nine authorities.

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

Nine councils – Dorset County, Weymouth and Portland, West Dorset, Purbeck, North Dorset, East Dorset, Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch – will be replaced.

A Dorset Area authority will govern in western Dorset and a Conurbation authority would be set up for Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch.

Subject to parliamentary approval, the new organisation will take effect in April next year.

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.

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.

South Dorset MP Richard Drax said: “Our system of democracy works that if people vote for something, they should get it.

“A substantial number of the councils were for it and most people support it so I felt I had a duty to back it.”

The only authority against the proposals is Christchurch, with residents voting against the merger through a referendum. Christchurch MP Sir Christopher Chope said there could still be a legal challenge.

Leader of Weymouth and Portland Borough Council, Cllr Jeff Cant said the news of the confirmation of the Future Dorset proposals was ‘very exciting’. 

He said it was hoped a town council would be established in Weymouth. 

“In the longer term, my aspiration is to look at innovative ways of delivering services, not just in Weymouth but across the county,” he said. 

It is expected upcoming borough council elections will be cancelled in the wake of the announcement with sitting councillors remaining in their seats until the new authority takes effect.

County Hall, Dorchester 

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 eight of the 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.”

DCCI chief executive Ian Girling said: “The majority of businesses in Dorset will undoubtedly welcome this decision.

“The Chamber officially supported Future Dorset both as part of the formal proposal and with a letter to Sajid Javid.

“The benefits will include a more cohesive and strategic approach to planning and infrastructure across the whole of Dorset as well as cost savings and streamlined services.

“It is important that businesses are consulted and given the opportunity to contribute as these proposals progress over the coming year.”

However, there are concerns the move could mean a potential loss of local responsiveness of services.

Portland mayor Charlie Flack said only time would tell what the impact would be.

“Things like planning could be a worry as people without a local knowledge of the isle will be making the decisions,” he said.

The move could mean enhanced powers for town councils but Cllr Flack said Portland was ‘still in the dark’ about how much responsibility it would take on.

He added they hoped to take over the running of council car parks to generate income that could support the upkeep of gardens, play areas and free car parks on the isle.

Without the extra income, Cllr Flack said the town council could not afford to retain its other responsibilities without adding to the council tax precept.

Unison, which represents public sector workers, called for savings made in the merger to be put back into public services.

The union’s organiser in Dorset Janine Miller said government cuts had left services at breaking point.

“Public service workers will make sure the Dorset councils merger is as successful as possible. Council bosses owe it them and their communities to put the proceeds back into local services,” she said.

South Dorset MP, Richard Drax and West Dorset MP, Sir Oliver Letwin

COUNTY MPS BACK PROPOSALS

In a joint statement issued yesterday, the seven Dorset MPs who backed the proposal said they were 'delighted' by the announcement and while the process had been long "the prize has been worth it."

"Given the pressures on public spending, the only affordable way to meet the needs of the elderly, the young and the working population is to reduce unnecessary overheads and to streamline service delivery. In particular, we need completely new ways of working if we are to fill the funding gap in education for pupils with special needs and to provide the proper adult social services that are crucial both for our frail elderly population and for our local NHS.

"These proposals will make such innovation and efficiency possible by replacing our current nine councils with just two new single tier councils - a massive reduction in bureaucracy.

"This has been a 'grassroots' initiative, with huge levels of local support from the public, councillors and bodies such as the Local Enterprise Partnership and the Chamber of Commerce.

"We recognise that some people in Christchurch will be less than happy with the decision. But we believe that we can now all work together, in a true spirit of collaboration, to make sure that this is the success it needs to be. As in other recent political events, we call upon everyone involved in Dorset local government to come together, regardless of political party or particular view, accept the result and work together for the good of our constituents.”

COMMUNITY REACTS

Cllr Anthony Alford, Leader, West Dorset District Council said: “This is excellent news. Many of us have been working for a long time now to deliver a vision of better local government. We want to deliver good local services within our means, safeguard our unique natural environment, and support people to have a home and develop their careers in Dorset. The final decision by the Secretary of State is another milestone on that journey.” 

Cllr Graham Carr-Jones, Leader, North Dorset District Council said: “I am thrilled. Dorset’s councils have a strong ethos for working together for the good of our residents which will form a very solid foundation for the new unitary councils. This change will really allow us to transform how public services are delivered in the county, which will bring huge benefits for local people.” 

Cllr Jeff Cant, Leader, Weymouth & Portland Borough Council said: “I welcome today’s announcement by the Secretary of State that we can now go ahead with establishing a new Unitary Council. This decision gives us a golden opportunity to look at new and innovative ways of delivering joined up services for the benefit of local people. As work progresses on the creation of the new council, I will make sure that the Weymouth and Portland community is fully represented in building and delivering the new services and structures and that the emerging Weymouth Town Council and Portland’s existing Town Council provide a strong local democratic platform around both community’s proud histories." 

Cllr Rebecca Knox, Leader of Dorset County Council said: "I am delighted that we have been given this opportunity to create a new council for the heart of the county across Dorset. It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to remodel local services with our communities and partners to be responsive, innovative and above all else, efficient and effective.  

“As a Joint Committee we have already begun the work needed to take this huge step forward to providing better, joined-up services, that make sense for residents across the breadth of the county area. We have a strong financial case and will take this work forward making clear decisions at our meetings, supported by our task and finish groups. We are committed to building on our positive collective work to develop a thriving economy, support and encourage aspirations for our young people and deliver services that make a positive difference to people’s lives. 

“The way forward for Dorset will focus on investing in our future, good education, a growing economy and good service delivery. It is what our staff strive to deliver, what our residents need, and why councillors carry out the work they do.” 

Steve Farnham, president of Dorchester Chamber for Business said: “We hope that the costs savings and other benefits that are anticipated will come to fruition and that our businesses and local residents will see the benefit. We will continue to work with our new local authority to ensure that the benefit of those savings is invested back to where they are most needed.

"It will also be important to ensure that it is made clear that the ‘Rest of Dorset’, and Dorchester in particular, is still very much open for business and is not just countryside and coast. Whilst we have rich countryside and thriving tourism, we also have a very strong business economy outside that. We see the ‘Rest of Dorset’ as the ‘Best of Dorset’ and we need to ensure that it has the investment it needs and deserves."

Andrew Knowles, President of Weymouth & Portland Chamber of Commerce, said: "The proposals for two unitary councils includes commitments to a more consistent approach to issues such as planning, and better transport links, all of which will benefit local businesses and make the county a more attractive place to work. We look forward to seeing positive action to deliver on these commitments. I am concerned that the transition phase to the unitary councils does not create a distraction for councils and their officers, and that business support and economic regeneration activities are not affected by the process of change."