ONLY one service has to be legally provided by the new Weymouth Town Council – allotments.

And even then only if there is a proven demand: everything else traditionally run by town and parish councils, such as toilets, parks, recreation and burial grounds are optional.

In a presentation to the borough scrutiny and performance committee, councillors were told the new Weymouth Town Council is likely to be based on a traditional model – looking after parks and gardens, possibly burial grounds, and some leisure services.

There is already a proposal to transfer public toilets to the new town council – although it is not clear if this will include the proposed seafront ‘superloo’ which is unlikely to be built for at least two years.

How much Weymouth residents will be charged in terms of a local share of the council tax (precept) will depend on what assets and services are handed to the new town council by the borough and county – something which will also need the approval of the shadow Dorset Council executive.

This is unlikely to be known until at least October with the exact details only becoming clear in January.

Borough council leader Jeff Cant, supported by fellow shadow executive member Colin Huckle, has already won concessions for the new town council which means it will be able to make a special case for the transfer of some assets not being considered for other areas.

What this means it practical terms has yet to be agreed in public – but an obvious income earner would be the town’s car parks.

These, however, are said ‘not within the scope’ of transfer as the new unitary council will need all the income it can generate to maintain services when it comes into being in April 2019.

Another likely cause for discussion over the coming months will be the seafront hotels and b&bs owned by the borough council, although some may argue that these are more of a liability than an asset.

A similar discussion may be held about the harbour, although current thinking within the shadow Dorset Council and at borough council level, is that this will be best managed, in future, by a trust board, partially because of the level of repairs currently needed to the harbour walls and the decline of commercial income since Condor Ferries pulled out.