EAST Dorset councillors have voted to be involved in the debates and decision making leading to the potential creation of two new unitary authorities in Dorset.

At a full council meeting on Monday, district councillors approved joining the committee being set up from September.

The six councils behind Future Dorset are discussing 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.

The local government reorganisation proposal was submitted to Secretary of State Sajid Javid for a decision in March.

Members of East Dorset District Council (EDDC) voted in January not to support the Future Dorset proposal.

At Monday’s meeting, they voted to join the committee on the condition that it comprises of six members from Dorset County Council and two members from each district and borough council in the proposed new Dorset area that choose to take up their seats.

The role of the committee will be to look at things such as council tax harmonisation, the disaggregation of services and budgets for any new authority that might be created.

Cllr Simon Tong, portfolio holder for change and transformation, said: “We voted in January not to be part of the Future Dorset submission and that decision stands. However, members recognise that the interests of East Dorset residents will be best served if our council takes up its seats so that we are able to share in these discussions while we await the decision of the Secretary of State.”