THE formation of a single South East Dorset unitary authority has been described as a “done deal” by Bournemouth council’s chief executive.

Tony Williams later backtracked during the same passage of speech and clarified "it is still a strategic risk that it may not happen” and "it is not a done deal".

The proposition to form a so-called super council comprising Poole, Bournemouth, Christchurch and East Dorset councils first emerged in August last year.

And these comments came during a meeting to discuss Poole and Bournemouth councils plan to appoint a joint executive finance director.

After Mr Williams told members that this would contribute to the “momentum” of creating a combined authority, Cllr David d’Orton-Gibson asked him if it was a “done deal”.

Mr Williams said: “People say a week is a long time in politics - so three years is an awful long time.

“It’s a position at the moment based more on my perception of the writing on the wall, and I think in some form a South East Dorset council is a done deal.”

He explained, however, that the boundaries of what will comprise the new council is still unknown.

“There is a way to go yet before we actually determine the actual spatial boundary, but nevertheless I believe reform is extremely likely.

“And indeed we should be planning at this moment [on the basis that there] will be some significant local government reform happening in 2019.”

He later added: “It’s not a done deal and it is still a strategic risk that it may not happen.”

Members at both Bournemouth council and Borough of Poole have now agreed to look for a joint executive finance director.

It appears to be the latest move towards forming a super council after last month Borough of Poole took responsibility for Millhams Recycling Centre – Bournemouth’s main waste management facility.

The chief executives of all four authorities involved have undertaken talks with the Department for Communities and Local Government regarding the plan’s operational issues.

Cllr Ian Monks resigned as leader of East Dorset District Council in December ahead of a vote on plans to combine the authorities, while opposition councillors in Poole and Bournemouth have repeatedly had their requests for a referendum on the issue refused.

If the council merger goes ahead it would form the eighth biggest local authority in the country.