Parish and town councils in the Dorset Council area may try again to persuade the larger council to transfer assets to them.

The issue caused tension in the run-up to the creation of the new unitary council with many parish and town councils wanting to take on car parks and public toilets while Dorset Council remained determined to keep hold of anything which would produce an income.

Weymouth town councillors heard this week that a concerted approach might now be worth trying – rather than each council try their luck one by one.

In Weymouth, the largest town council in Dorset, there remains a lobby for the resort to have at least some car park income in return for the events it puts on to attract visitors to the town. Neighbouring Dorchester is also keen to take on more, provided it also gets an income to help meet the cost, as is Bridport.

Some informal talks have been held with the Dorset Council involving Weymouth councillors who sit on both authorities – but so far with no indication that the Dorset Council position might change.

Cllr Kate Wheller (Lab) told the town council services committee on Tuesday that the best bet would be to speak to councillors across the county and, together, put a co-ordinated request for the Dorset Council to consider.

Cllr Gill Taylor (Lib Dem), another councillor who sits on both authorities, welcomed the move but warned that any potential loss of income for the Dorset Council was not likely to be well received. “It will have an effect on their share of the council tax if we ask for money back,” she said, adding that nothing was likely to change in the current financial year which runs until April 2020.