THE HISTORY and character of the conurbation's boroughs will be maintained by its new council, says its recently-appointed top officer.

Graham Farrant, head of the Land Registry until December when he will take up his role as chief executive of the shadow Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council, said he believed the three boroughs would retain their unique identities after the merger next May.

"The advantage of the three coming together is the ability to influence the national agenda, and the key thing is to build up the agenda for all three towns, not a single agenda for Bournemouth," he said.

"I don't think we can build a strategy that doesn't take account of the history and character of the towns."

With "an airport in Christchurch, two universities in Poole and Europe's largest natural harbour", Mr Farrant said, the conurbation could rival Bristol in its voice with central government, but "it would have to be built on the heritage of the three".

The future chief, who was previously chief executive of councils in Thurrock and Barking and Dagenham, said he believed councillors on the current three authorities were doing a "really difficult" job handling the restructuring while maintaining existing service commitments.

But, he believes that when the new authority is formed its newly-elected members will have no special loyalty to their boroughs and will consider the needs of different areas equally.

"Housing is a good example, you have a different housing agenda for each area, not at the expense of one area," he said.

"It is a whole new concept of the area, in my experience of working with members they are quite adaptable like that."

Also, Mr Farrant said he was keen to ensure the name of the new authority wasn't shortened to simply 'Bournemouth council' as some in Christchurch and Poole have feared.

"We have to stop people using the shortened 'Bournemouth council', it may be a bit clumsy we have to keep reminding people all the time to use the full name or BCP Council," he said.

Respected in government circles for his work in 'transforming' public sector operations, Mr Farrant said he expected separate operations to still be in place in the three boroughs in various services, not all of which need be merged.

"For example, it is not essential to have one trading standards system on April 1, although it is essential that we keep track of them, we have to set the budget," he said.

Mr Farrant also indicated his desire to hold large scale business networking events, highlighting the benefits improved access to government funding might provide, particularly in infrastructure, such as a faster train route to London.