WITH parliament due to break up for its summer holidays on July 20, there is still no sign of a decision on the Future Dorset plans.

The local government reorganisation proposal, which would see Dorset's nine councils reformed into two new unitary authorities, was submitted to Secretary of State Sajid Javid for a decision in March this year.

Senior figures within the county's local authorities have expressed optimism about an imminent 'minded-to' decision at several points, but much hope for an early announcement was dashed by the surprise announcement of the General Election in April.

And since then the government has arguably had a lot on its plate, with Brexit negotiations getting under way, election campaigning and deals being struck to form a new government.

Parliament will not be back in session until September 5, barring emergencies.

A statement issued on behalf of the six councils which backed the Future Dorset proposal said: "We continue to await an announcement from the Secretary of State.

"Whilst we appreciate that he is exceptionally busy at present, we would welcome an announcement at the earliest possible opportunity."

Three councils have rejected the scheme, Christchurch, East Dorset and Purbeck.

Christchurch MP Christopher Chope, who campaigned strongly against plans to merge the town with Bournemouth and Poole, is waiting for a full reply to a letter he sent to the prime minister on the issue in March.

He said councils should drop their proposals and instead proceed with plans for a “combined authority”, submitted last summer, which would see councils working together on major issues such as transport, economic growth, planning and education.

He said: “It’s been approved by everybody in Dorset and would seem to me a good way forward based on consensus. Instead of that, they seem hell-bent on trying to bully the government into destroying the independence and sovereignty of Christchurch, East Dorset and Purbeck.”

While awaiting an initial decision, the six councils behind Future Dorset have begun discussions for setting up two joint committees, each with membership from those authorities which would make up the new unitary, and intended to act as a precursor to full implementation committees with executive power.

Discussion on the set-up of these new bodies is to continue throughout the rest of the summer.

Rebecca Knox, leader of Dorset County Council, said: "At the people and communities overview and scrutiny committee recommendations were considered to establish two joint committees with other councils across Dorset to strengthen closer working - the aim being to further discussions to deliver sustainable services across Dorset for the future.

"The committee also considered the proposed membership of these joint committees and confirmed that the comments would be referred to the other councils and to the county council to inform their decision."