COUNCIL leaders at Bournemouth, Poole and Dorset maintain there is still "clear evidence of support" for Future Dorset plans, despite the Christchurch referendum result.

In a statement following the poll, in which 84 per cent of those who took part, said no to joining a joint authority with Bournemouth and Poole, Cllr John Beesley, Cllr Janet Walton and Cllr Rebecca Knox said the result 'was a matter for Christchurch council.'

"We trust that colleagues at Christchurch will consider all factors before them when discussing this matter at their meeting in January.

"We also know that the Secretary of State will want to be sure that any decision he makes is likely to improve the area's local government, has a good deal of local support in the area, and that each new council area itself is a credible geography for the proposed new structures.

"We firmly believe that the Future Dorset proposal presented to the Secretary of State fulfils these requirements with clear evidence of support across the whole county, from residents, from key business leaders and from public sector and other partners.

"We are confident he will recognise that the proposed two new councils would be more efficient to run, would be able to spend a greater proportion of their budgets on frontline services, and would be the right size to tackle the big issues that make a place prosperous and improve life for people who live there.

"The two established Joint Committees are already getting on with the necessary work to create the two new councils.

"All nine existing Dorset councils are actively participating in these Joint Committees and, in doing so, are committed to getting the best for the residents they represent."