Members passed a motion at the Full Council meeting on Monday 18 April, to rescind the decision made in December 2015, when members voted not to be part of a Dorset-wide study to look at options for the future governance of the county, including the possible creation of a unitary council or unitary councils.
Since that decision was made there have been some material changes in local government both nationally and locally. These include the fact that the Cities and Local Government Devolution Act 2016 now gives the government the power to put its devolution agenda into practice, even in the face of local opposition.
In addition the Local Government Financial Settlement announced in February 2016 means that East Dorset, following a reduction of 73 per cent in government grant in 2016/17, will be one of only 15 councils in the country to receive no grant in 2017/18.
The Council has now agreed to be an active participant in the discussions and will now have access to the financial and other information that is being gathered by the other 8 councils.
Members also voted in favour to progress the Christchurch and East Dorset Partnership’s accommodation strategy. This means the selling of the Furzehill office and progressing with plans to open a customer service, civic and staff facility in Wimborne.
