A PLAN has been drawn up for how Christchurch and East Dorset councils will be split come next year.

When the new unitaries are officially formed come April 1, 2019, the two councils, which share a number of services will be split.

A report due to be heard by the Scrutiny and Policy committee on Tuesday, said staff working for both authorities will be transferred to one or the other.

Employees have been able to say which one they want to transfer to, and staff spending more than 50 per cent of their time with one council will transfer to that one.

Final decisions have now been made on all staff and the information lies with human resources.

Regarding data, the two councils have a combined system, which will need to be separated.

Work to establish parish councils in Christchurch and Highcliffe is under way, the report adds.