DORSET councillor say they are attempting to mend relationships with town and parish councils.

Talks are being held about finding a way forward which may including setting up new area forums or boards.

One senior councillor this week said he would not rule out towns and parishes taking on some services in the future – something which had largely been ruled out by the previous administration.

“I am convinced that some town and parishes can provide services better than we can and at a lower cost,” said chair of the place scrutiny committee Cllr Daryl Turner.

He said he was also keen to look at the system or area forums, similar to that run by the Wiltshire Council, based on principle towns.

Said Cllr Simon Gibson (Verwood) : “We should re-start the conversation which was paused and rebuild the relationships, and dare I say it, some of the trust which has eroded.”

Community brief holder on the Cabinet, Cllr Tony Alford, said he had already attended a Dorset Association of Town and Parish Councils executive meeting where he said he had been given a warm welcome when he shared his thoughts on re-kindling relationships.

“It seems that all of them want direct exposure to the leaders and some officers, even if only on an occasional basis, rather than have that relationship mediated in some way,” he said.

Mr Alford said he was aiming for a three or four page charter or concordat which would set out what each of the parties might expect from each other – based around values, social and economic wellbeing and issues such as the environment.

He said he hoped the document would also set out more clearly the role of ward councillors acting as what he described as a ‘lynchpin’ between various groups in the community.