Future Dorset
Two new authorities for Dorset
Dorset is an amazing place to live, work and do business.
It can be even better.
Creating Future Dorset
Dorset has the 16th largest urban area in the UK – Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch – alongside stunning countryside, several protected natural sites and a beautiful, world-renowned coastline.
These two naturally complementary communities – the conurbation of Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole and the Dorset Area – have very different needs.
To best protect public services and represent the whole of Dorset as the government continues to reduce the funding it gives to local councils, there is a proposal to replace the existing nine authorities with two unitary councils for all of Dorset.
Our proposal will provide:
- A solution – That reduces costs and improves public services
- An opportunity – To stimulate growth through a global profile
- The chance of a lifetime – To improve people’s quality of life and prosperity.
Overwhelming evidence supporting this change
- Six of Dorset’s nine existing councils back this proposal, with 75% of voting members in favour
- 73% of residents support change
- 65% of residents support proposed geographical composition
- 89% of businesses back change, as does the Dorset LEP
- £108million of savings projected in the first six years
- Evidence that all Government criteria are met
- Strategic focus with the Combined Authority
- Health and local authority planning and delivery boundaries aligned.
Better for the whole of Dorset
Any change needs to work for all of Dorset, not just part of it. The proposal of two unitary councils for the county – one for urban Dorset and another for the rural parts of the county – is a way to protect local services, generate further economic growth and provide structure to local councils around the community they serve and represent.
