THE new chairman of the Shadow Dorset Council, Cllr Hilary Cox, says the new unitary authority will deliver savings for the public.

She was elected chairman at the first meeting of the Shadow Dorset Council in Dorchester on Thursday evening and will also remain as chairman of Dorset County Council, which will disappear under local government reorganisation in April 2019, along with rural Dorset's district and borough councils.

"It's much more common sense, with one council you will streamline a lot of the back office and there will be fewer councillors claiming allowances, but in the scheme of things that is peanuts. The real savings will be by bringing services closer together, and delivering better," Cllr Cox said.

She added she was delighted that Dorset was moving towards a unitary council: "I have been working for it for 21 years, ever since I was first elected as a councillor and I couldn't work out who did what.

"A new unitary authority will simplify matters, enable us to improve services and give better value to our residents."

She said that with just one council it would be simpler for the public, with only one place to call for problems or advice.

"There are going to be fewer councillors which will mean that those who residents pick will have to work a bit harder and be enthusiastic. It will be a bigger job but there's no harm in that..the harder you work the better you serve your residents."

The meeting, which was attended by 134 of the eligible councillors, also saw the election of vice chairman Cllr Peter Shoreland, who is currently chairman of West Dorset District Council.

A series of committee chairmen and women and interim officers were also appointed, and approval was given to a constitution and council expenses payments.

The shadow council also approved the process of selecting a new chief executive, expected to be appointed at its next meeting in September.