A NEW rural unitary authority for Dorset would not simply be a county council mark two.

That's the pledge of East Dorset council leader, Cllr Spencer Flower.

He spoke to the Echo the morning after the night before. On Monday when EDDC councillors dramatically reversed their position and agreed they would join a new single tier council, by a narrow 14 votes to 12.

Previously the council's position had been to seek alternatives.

The council is to write to the government to outline its new stance.

Cllr Flower said: "It was a democratic decision. I have worked faithfully to get a mandate from the council.

"It was important to look at other opportunities in an ever changing financial environment but there was nothing that came remotely close in terms of other options. And this is about opportunities. It's not just about making savings, although we have to do that.

"This will be about a completely new council delivering the best possible services for the people of Dorset outside the conurbation."

On Tuesday night councillors in Purbeck agreed.

This just leaves Christchurch out on a limb.

The results of a non binding poll were due in last night. Councillors will meet in January to decide their position.

The same month, Communities Secretary, Sajid Javid, is expected to give final approval to two new councils replacing the the current nine principal local authorities in Dorset.

Cllr Flower said he did not think the whole restructure has gripped the public imagination but did not think that was a surprise given that residents were on the whole interests in services being delivered than who was delivering them.

"I do believe the public consultation was statistically sound and the DCLG looked at that and felt it was soundly based.

"Walking around my patch it's clear that most people I talk to want us to get on with it because they recognise that we live in difficult times.

"The country doesn't have the money anymore and central government expects local government to do its part in being efficient and effective and finding different ways of delivering services.

"I said at the end of my speech on Monday that if I sounded emotional about this, it's because I am.

"I have a conscience and I feel passionately about the wellbeing of our communities. No-one stands for election with the intention of cutting services."

Cllr Flower declined the opportunity to offer an opinion on what Christchurch should do, but he knows the borough well. He was instrumental, with former Christchurch leader, Alan Griffiths, in establishing the existing East Dorset and Christchurch partnership of a single officer structure and administration but two separately elected councils. The initiative is regarded as a major success.

"I'm not going to comment on what another sovereign body is doing, I feel quite strongly about that. They must make their own judgement and we'll soon see the outcome of the poll.

"In Christchurch and East Dorset we have had different cultures, the ancient borough and the young whippersnapper and it has worked well. We have had the best of both world.

"A lot of that innovation can be transferred to a new partnership."

Cllr Flower said the disaggregation of the two councils would be difficult but not impossible and would take place over a phased period.

In Monday night's debate some councillors expressed fears that services and facilities like Moors Valley would be quietly shut down by a big unitary.

"Look if they want to fulfil their prophecy then don't embrace change. We have done all our efficiencies and we still have money to save. The best way to protect our discretionary services is to restructure. There's more chance of protecting them by change. It will also enable us to sustain things like adult services more in line with where we are now, but a lot depends on central government. With the increasing pressures we cannot do it entirely on our own."