PURBECK has joined Christchurch and East Dorset in defiance of the current 'super-council' proposals, after a dramatic vote on Tuesday night.

The council voted, by the narrowest of margins, against merging with five other local authorities to form one new unitary council, after two hours of debate at its Wareham headquarters.

Purbeck District Council (PDC) chairman Bill Trite cast the deciding vote after 11 councillors backed the proposals, 11 voted against and one abstained.

Reluctantly backing the merger, PDC leader Cllr Gary Suttle earlier conceded a new unitary authority would make it "harder for Purbeck's voice to be heard." However, the Conservative councillor stressed: "Vote against this and PDC will be sidelined."

He also questioned whether a vote against would actually halt the process.

"This would have no impact on the formation of the unitary authority," he said.

"Our residents' voices on this will be mute.

"We are damned if we do, we are damned if we don't."

Meanwhile, Lib Dem opposition leader Cllr David Budd said: "If we vote against, we will not have a seat at the table."

He added that although his heart said vote against, he also would be voting for change.

Cllr Bill Trite, speaking as ward member for Swanage, called for members to "have the courage of their convictions" and vote accordingly.

Speaking against the proposed merger, he described the public consultation as "simply the worst consultation document I've seen in my life."

Speaking before the recorded vote, Cllr Trite added: "I believe that with three councils against this, we will have a very good chance to continue as we are."

Councillors had been asked to decide if PDC should unite with North Dorset, West Dorset, Weymouth & Portland, and East Dorset District Council (EDDC) - despite EDDC voting against the move 24 hours earlier.

Under the merger plans, services currently provided by Dorset County Council will become the responsibility of the new unitary authority.

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole would also form a second unitary under the proposals.

The final decision on any merger rests with government.