EAST Dorset District Council have narrowly voted to support council reorganisation in Dorset.

In a U-turn from their previous decision, the council agreed at a full meeting on Monday to write to the Secretary of State to accept his minded-to decision.

The recommendation from cabinet was supported by 14 councillors who voted for, 12 voting against and one abstention at full council on Monday.

Cllr Spencer Flower, leader of the council, said: “I am pleased that the majority of members recognise that following the Secretary of State’s ‘minded-to’ decision we have moved a step closer to local government reorganisation in Dorset. Our priority moving forward has to be getting the best for our residents and by accepting his decision we are showing we are committed to this.

“Our ongoing work with the Joint Committee has shown that a number of areas of concern that members raised are being addressed and I am confident that moving forward we will work together to achieve the best for the new council.”