POOLE council has voted in favour of a union with Bournemouth and Christchurch, rejecting a bid for a referendum.

The borough is the first of Dorset's nine local authorities to have its full council vote on the 'super council' plans.

Yesterday evening, members voted 27 in favour and 12 against the plans to form two new unitary authorities from the existing councils.

Liberal Democrat councillor Philip Eades put forward a motion that, once all councils had made their decisions in meetings to be heard later this month, the final plan should be put to Poole residents in a referendum before being submitted to the Department of Communities and Local Government.

"A referendum on this item would surely be right," he said.

"It would cost somewhere in the region of £100,000, surely a small price to pay considering the £25 million costs of this reshaping of councils."

However, 27 councillors voted against this amendment, to 12 in favour.

On the original motion, Conservative Cllr Drew Mellor said: "We have made a lot of difficult decisions in this authority.

"What this offers is not just a chance at surviving but a chance to strive."

Cllr Mark Howell, of Poole People, said Poole residents faced a council tax rise of 3.99 per cent per year for 20 years as a result of the proposals.

However, cabinet member Cllr May Haines said the borough would "still have to put council tax up by 3.99 per cent" if there was no change.

"But by taking this route we can also provide Poole with the opportunity to fulfil some ambitions and aspirations we have for this town," she said.

Bournemouth council's cabinet is due to debate the plans today at 10.30am, with a final decision from both Bournemouth and Christchurch's members due to take place on Tuesday next week, January 31.