ADULT social care could be transformed in Dorset after proposals it should be run by a council-owned company.

A business plan, which suggests the service should be run by a ‘local authority trading company’, was reviewed by the adult and community services overview committee at Dorset County Council on September 15 and will go before cabinet for approval on October 22.

If approved, council officials hope to launch the company during the 2015/2016 financial year.

Catherine Driscoll, director for adult and community services, said: “Current service users will continue to receive their care at the same locations from the same people in the manner they have become accustomed to.

“But a LATC will allow the county council to develop these services for the future, while making sure our valued staff can continue to do an excellent job with a renewed focus on how we can best provide care for those who need it.”

The council would hold 100 per cent of the company’s shares and claim staff would transfer to the new organisation on the same pay and terms.

Cllr Jill Haynes, the council’s cabinet member for adult social care, said: “We don’t want to sell off our care services, and this business plan for the Local Authority Trading Company demonstrates how the council will retain control of these.

“It also demonstrates how we’ll be able to offer them to the wider community and ensure our current high standards of care are maintained and safe-guarded.”