PLANS for a 'super-council' covering south east Dorset are foundering after district councillors blew a massive hole in the scheme.

Councillors in East Dorset voted overwhelmingly against discussing any options on the table involving the uniting of Bournemouth, Poole, Christchurch and their own council, leaving the proposal potentially holed below the water line.

And just hours before the meeting took place, Councillor Ian Monks, leader of the district council, resigned from his post by letter following an email row with Christchurch MP Chris Chope.

In correspondence seen by the Daily Echo, Mr Monks – who has also stepped down from his role as councillor – told Mr Chope: “I have long held a view that you struggle with the better interests of our residents and your email sums it up.

“I’m so pleased that you are not my MP.”

Mr Monks blasted Mr Chope after the MP refused to back plans to unite the councils, arguing that although some partnerships could be made - for example between Bournemouth and Poole - the idea of a super-council was "not viable".

It has been less than a week since Mr Monks sacked long-serving district councillor Mike Dyer from his cabinet post as a result of his criticism of the proposed super-council.

Cllr Dyer, who was removed from the role of environment portfolio holder for refusing to back further investigations into reshaping local government, said 20 councillors objected to the plans last night, with just eight in favour.

Officers had recommended that councillors back three courses of action, including authorising an examination of the scheme’s financial implications, recognising the need to be proactive in developing new solutions for devolution and requesting a further assessment and a case for a preferred option.

Cllr Dyer said: “I proposed an alternative at the meeting, which was that we are content to work in partnership with Christchurch, as we already are, but do not support the new plans for a unitary authority.

“Another councillor added an amendment, which was that this should come for review once again in a year.”

Of the eight who voted in support of the plans, Cllr Dyer said five are cabinet members and two are “dual-hatters”, representing both the county council and district council.

“On a personal level, Mr Monks is an intelligent man who cares deeply about this,” he added.

“However, I think he has been led up the garden path by [Bournemouth council leader] John Beesley and co. He’s on the wrong side of the argument.”

District council chair Cllr Steve Lugg said: “The council is sorry to lose the talents of Cllr Ian Monks, but I was delighted to see members last night communicating and engaged in proper debate.

"2016 looks exciting and progressive.”

The leaders of Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch councils, Cllr John Beesley, Cllr Janet Walton, Cllr Ray Nottage have issued a joint statement.

It reads: “We are disappointed at the decision by East Dorset District Council members not to support working with all other councils in Dorset to commission and subsequently consider an independent examination of the financial implications of a number of options for the future of local government in the county.

“We firmly believe there are compelling reasons to explore options for the future of local government in Dorset, in view of the major financial challenges faced by all councils and the ever increasing demand for services, as well as the government’s drive for economic growth.

“No change is not a realistic solution and we remain committed to working with other councils to make the case for change in the best long-term interests of our residents and businesses.

"We will be seeking further discussions with leaders of all Dorset councils at the earliest opportunity in the new year to discuss how we can take this important work forward.” 

Plans for a super-council were put forward earlier this year as part of a bid to attract investment into Dorset, slash budgets and bolster devolved powers.

The four leaders and three chief executives of Bournemouth, Poole, Christchurch and East Dorset are believed to have been discussing the scheme for some time behind closed doors, and had planned for it to launch as early as 2019.

If given the green light, it will be the eighth largest local authority in the country, representing almost 500,000 residents and able to wield a budget of more than £1bn a year.

The Daily Echo has contacted Mr Monks for comment.