PLANS for a county-wide combined authority involving Christchurch will be discussed by borough councillors tonight.

It comes just weeks after separate plans to create a 'super council' involving Christchurch, Bournemouth, East Dorset and Poole, were revealed.

In a meeting of the council's resources committee, members will discuss the proposal for a combined authority involving Dorset's nine councils.

The new combined authority would be charged with boosting economic growth and steering major policies.

Christchurch council leader, Ray Nottage, along with the leaders of Bournemouth, Poole and East Dorset councils, announced the alternative 'super council' plans in September.

Their proposals to create one council for south east Dorset could mean the end of plans for the Dorset-wide authority, which has been under consideration since last year.

A report to tonight's committee said a county-wide combined authority "is likely to be a pre requisite to gaining devolved powers and new freedoms and flexibilities from central government."

The proposal has already been considered by Christchurch's scrutiny and policy review committee in September.

Concerns were raised by members over the "unrealistically tight timescale" for the decision making process.

And although in principle members agreed with a combined authority, they called for a robust scrutiny function monitoring how services were delivered.

They also resolved to 'reaffirm their determination' to remain their own sovereign authority.

It is hoped the combined authority would attract investment and encourage economic growth.

Last month, leader of Dorset County Council, Robert Gould, called for more detail on the 'super council' plans.

Admitting he had not known for very long about the scheme, he said: "It’s useful that this is now out there and it’s open on the table for debate.

"I don’t think they have done much detailed work on this proposal. We now need that kind of detail.

"How much will it cost and how much will other options cost? There now needs to be a lot of number crunching and facts and figures brought forward."

He added: "It seems counterintuitive to split the county up at a time when the government is encouraging councils to come together. Ministers want to see a single point of accountability and to me that suggests a single, pan-Dorset solution."

The meeting will begin at 6pm, at the Civic Offices in Bridge Street.