PROGRESS on plans to unite the conurbation under one council will be discussed next week.

The Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Joint Committee meets at Christchurch's Civic Offices on Friday at 10am, the day after the deadline for postal ballots in the borough's referendum on the super council proposal.

Christchurch council has until January 8 to submit an alternative proposal.

Joint committee members will discuss proposals for the 'shadow authority' set up to precede the creation of the new unitary council, and a recommendation that it comprise all councillors from all three towns and be based on Bournemouth's constitution and standing orders.

There will also be an update on plans to equalise council tax between the boroughs, with a recommendation that this is achieved "as close to five years as possible" and that taxpayers in Christchurch see "a freeze or reduction for a significant period".