A SHAKE-UP of councils could help Dorset punch its weight nationwide, business delegates heard at a consultation meeting.

Dorset Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) hosted the event to allow senior council officers to outline proposals for re-organisation of local government in the county.

The county’s nine local authorities will be reorganised into two ‘super councils’ from 2019 onwards, if plans go ahead.

The event, ‘Reshaping your councils – a better future for your community’, was the second of two free consultation sessions held by DCCI in partnership with the local authorities to provide a business perspective.

DCCI, the voice of business in Dorset with about 800 members representing more than 37,000 employees, is encouraging firms to give their views before the consultation deadline closes on Tuesday October 25.

Ian Girling, DCCI chief executive, said: “It is important that businesses have a really strong input into the debate as the economy has to be at the heart of any reforms.

“Local government reorganisation is a real opportunity for Dorset to punch above its weight and move to a level where it should be.

“We have had really interesting discussions at our events in Weymouth and Poole, and I would encourage all businesses to visit the consultation website to make their views know if they haven’t already done so.”

Senior council officers at the event were Dorset County Council chief executive Debbie Ward; Dorset Councils Partnership chief executive Matt Prosser; Christchurch and East Dorset Partnership strategic director Ian Milner; Bournemouth Borough Council chief executive Tony Williams; and Purbeck District Council chief executive Steve Mackenzie

Delegates heard how creating more powerful councils could help them gain more grants and funding.

Dorset County Council chief executive Debbie Ward told more than 30 business owners and directors at the meeting that they were ambitious and wanted to create modern 21st century councils.

She added: “Our thanks to DCCI for its support in helping us engage directly with business.

“The views of business and the community are very important to us and I would encourage as many people as possible to come forward and have their say.”

Issues raised at the event included planning, costs, services, business rates, licensing and tangible benefits for smaller businesses and the community.

The nine councils involved in the proposals are Bournemouth Borough Council, Borough of Poole, Christchurch Borough Council, Dorset County Council, East Dorset District Council, North Dorset District Council, Purbeck District Council, West Dorset District Council and Weymouth and Portland Borough Council.

A show of hands unanimously backed re-organisation of local councils. Out of three options, the majority backed proposals to merge Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch into one ‘super council’ with the remaining councils forming a separate authority.

A minority supported an option to merge Poole and Bournemouth into a single authority and merge the remaining councils into a separate authority.

Proposals to merge Bournemouth, Poole, East Dorset and Christchurch into a combined authority with the remaining councils forming a separate authority gained no support.

Delegates included Weymouth and Portland Chamber of Commerce president Michelle Hind. Many filled out consultation questionnaires.

Businesses and any members of the public who wish to have their say are urged to visit www.reshapingyourcouncils.uk. The consultation closes on October 25.