TALKS could be held to decide whether North Dorset District Council should join Weymouth and Dorchester’s council partnership.

Councillors are being asked to approve formal talks to consider a three council partnership of Wey-mouth and Portland Borough Council (WPBC), West Dorset District Council (WDDC) and North Dorset District Council (NDDC).

It would be the first tri-council partnership in England and Wales.

The move would mean further savings for the authorities on top of the £3million already saved by Weymouth and West Dorset sharing services.

It would cover an area with a population of 230,000 people and would give the authorities more sway with central government, council chiefs say.

Cllr Deborah Croney, leader of NDDC, said: “It will be important to determine what the benefits would be to North Dorset residents.”