Business leaders were briefed on local government changes taking place in Dorset at a breakfast meeting in Dorchester.

Chief executive of the new unitary Dorset Council, Matt Prosser, and chief finance officer Jason Vaughan, outlined the complexities of completing the change in just over a year – said to be the fastest reorganisation in local government, ever.

With just over 100 days to go until the change takes place on April 1, the audience heard that plans were largely on track and that the public, and business community, should notice little difference in service levels from day one.

Mr Prosser said that ongoing changes would, in time, make millions of pounds in savings, despite starting off with a budget shortfall. He said that council tax payments would be harmonised across the county so that everyone paid the same, apart from the town and parish element of the precept.

Despite the budget gap there were no plans for any immediate increases in fees and charges, apart from some building control fees where the existing councils currently charge different amounts.

He said that once the change was completed the new council would be a 'one-stop' for services, serving a 376,000 population, making it the fifth largest unitary council in the country, and spending £1 million a day in the local economy.

Mr Prosser said that key services for the 442 children in the care of the local authority and 4,700 adults with social care needs would be a priority, accounting for 70 per cent of all of the new council's spending.

The new authority will have an annual revenue budget of around £700 million and a £200 million capital budget.