Details of which assets might be transferred to the new Weymouth Town Council may be known later this week.

A report is due to go before the shadow town council at its meeting on Thursday, January 10.

It is expected to outline that the new authority will get recreation grounds, allotments, public loos, and the operation of the beach and Esplanade.

It is thought unlikely to get town car parks, hotels, or the crematorium, but may be asked to take on graveyards.

The Peninsula site will not go to the town council – transferring to the new Dorset Council when it comes into being in April this year.

The town council is likely to take on the existing borough council headquarters in Commercial Road although it may be offered on a leasehold, rather than freehold basis.

Also expected to come to the town council will be clocks and monuments and civic regalia.

Whatever is included, or excluded from the transfer list, will need to go back to the shadow Dorset Council executive for final approval, and will also need the agreement of the borough council management committee and possibly full Weymouth and Portland Borough Council as well.

Some items are unlikely to be resolved by the time of local government reorganisation with talks expected to continue in the spring and summer.

A similar path will be followed for the transfer of assets to Portland Town Council - but unlike Weymouth is expected to be offered the island's six free car parks, although will not be able to take on the Portland Bill car park. The town council is also asking for the Masonic car park and adjoining skate park as well as the cemetery to be included in the transfer deal.

The shadow town council meeting, taking place at the Commercial Road council headquarters at 7pm on Thursday, January 10 is expected to be the first public meeting at which new town clerk Jane Biscombe will make an appearance, having started her job full-time this week. She has been working part-time in the role since November.

However, unlike other council meetings, there will be no session at which member of the public can speak because the authority has yet to be legally established and the meeting of the shadow council effectively only has an advisory role.

The meeting is also expected to hear details of an indicative budget for the year ahead and is also being asked to approve the draft Standing Orders and Financial Regulations for the new authority.