FORMAL processes to create a new authority for Weymouth have officially begun by civic chiefs.

Weymouth and Portland Borough Council will cease to exist in April 2019 if a local government shake-up goes ahead and two new 'super councils' are created in Dorset with Weymouth expected to retain a smaller local government model with limited powers after April 2019 through the formation of a parish (town) council.

Councillors voted to approve plans for a boundary for a town council at a extraordinary council meeting of Weymouth and Portland Borough Council last night.

Cllr Alison Reed, spokesman for Corporate Affairs and Continuous Improvement presented the proposals to the councillors which would see two formal legal orders adopted.

The first to merely establish the council and set the warding arrangements and councillor numbers, with another will address the specific operation details of the council once they have been agreed which include details of member allowances, budgets and services which the town council would operate.

The current proposal is that Littlemoor, Radipole, Upwey and Broadwey, Westham East, Westham West, Wey Valley, and Weymouth East wards will each have two councillors while Melcombe Regis, Preston, Westham North, Weymouth West and Wyke Regis wards will have three.

Councillor Reed added that the town council would have 29 councillors, the same ward boundaries as the borough council, and elections every four years which would already be higher than other town and parish councils in Dorset with Dorchester and Bridport noted as two examples.

Cllr Gill Taylor said that she supported both orders but stressed that the details for the second order should be brought forward as soon as possible with a specific view on services.

He added: "We need to take on services that make Weymouth which include the parks and gardens which make the town beautiful.

"It's also vital that we keep the events team as they create some fantastic events which bring visitors to Weymouth.

"We still have a lot of work to do to bring this plan forward."

Meanwhile, Cllr Ian Bruce asked if assets and services would be transferred from the existing councils prior to the merger but assistant chief executive Stuart Caundle responded that the transfer of assets would come from the new unitary council after the merger.

However, Cllr Mike Byatt praised the progress saying that the plans to create the council were going smoothly while Claudia Moore, chief operating officer for Weymouth Business Improvement District said that the town council would only be positive if it had the right powers and "serve the local residents."

She added: "It shouldn't just be a ceremonial town council with no powers."

In response, Cllr Reed she stressed that the plans were a lengthy process and that talks are ongoing in deciding a budget for the town council which will give a steer on services.

She also promised that Weymouth Town Council should have a mayoral role with more information expected to be released in the coming months.

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