Devon and Somerset had been looking to merge back in the summer - and all of this has implications for building a new District Council HQ in East Devon:
It’s official: Devon and Somerset councils plan to merge: whither EDDC’s new HQ? | East Devon Watch
Meanwhile, in Dorset, there have been moves towards a unitary authority for the county for some time now:
Futures Forum: Knowle relocation project: and the longer-term demise of district councils... comparing the West Dorset relocation project: part three
Which questions the point of building a £10m new District Council HQ:
Dorchester voters reject plan for new district council HQ | Real West Dorset
A LOBBY group opposed to the relocation of West Dorset District Council to new headquarters in Dorchester has released a survey of candidates which reveals who supports and who opposes the proposal. | Western Daily Press
West Dorset District Council sells former Stratton House offices (From )
Developer says West Dorset District Council's HQ decision is 'utterly shameful' (From )
Earl of Wessex opens new £9.7m headquarters for West Dorset District Council | Western Gazette
It now seems that this expenditure shouldn't have happened - as Dorset is now likely to become a unitary authority:
Dorset county councillors back cut in number of councils from nine to two
Monday, 14 March 2016 16:49
A “clear majority” of county councillors in Dorset have backed proposals to reduce the number of councils in the county from nine to two.
More than half (54%) also backed there being one unitary council for the current county council area and one for Bournemouth and Poole.
A second option – for there to be one unitary council for the area of East Dorset, North Dorset, Purbeck, West Dorset and Weymouth and Portland and one for Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch – attracted 41% of the votes.
Other options were considered and rejected. These were for: a single pan-Dorset unitary authority for Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole; two other options for separate unitary authorities; and of making no change to the current structure.
Dorset County Council stressed that the vote was not a binding decision. “The council voted unanimously do more work on the preferred options and a report will be brought to its next meeting with a view to developing a full business case,” it said.
It also noted that there would be a public consultation on any plans, and that this was likely to be held during the summer of 2016.
Cllr Robert Gould, Leader of Dorset County Council, said: “We had a thorough debate in which nearly all county councillors had their say. It was encouraging to see agreement that we need to change and do things better for the people of Dorset.
“We now have a clear consensus around having one, new council serving the whole ‘shire’ Dorset area, with an enhanced role for town and parish councils to deliver local services and strengthen their identity.
“This would simplify the structure of local government for residents, save money and help our case for a really ambitious devolution deal for Dorset.”
Cllr Gould added: “We will continue to work with the other Dorset councils to develop a solution for the whole county. A key part of this will be consulting with local people to make sure everyone has a chance to be involved.
“This is a great opportunity for the whole of Dorset to create something that supports the future needs and ambitions of the county.”
Local Government Lawyer - Dorset county councillors back cut in number of councils from nine to two
Dorset county councillors wants nine councils reduced to two | East Devon Watch
See also:
Futures Forum: Knowle relocation project: and the longer-term demise of district councils >>> Devon and Somerset to merge?
Futures Forum: Knowle relocation project: and the longer-term demise of district councils... revisted >>> the impact of devolution on the South-West
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