HUNDREDS of thousands of pounds is to be given to Dorset councils to help fund their Brexit preparation work, the local government secretary has announced.

James Brokenshire said that every English council will receive a share of £56.5 million for “appropriate contingency planning”.

As part of this, councils “facing immediate impacts” from ports will receive extra money while £10 million has been “retained” to respond to “specific local costs” which arise after Brexit.

Funding will be split over the next two years, with £20 million provided before the end of March and the same amount being given out in 2019/20.

In a written statement to Parliament, Mr Brokenshire said: “Local government will play a critical role in making a success of Brexit at the local level.

“My department is committed to ensuring councils have the support and the funding the need to prepare for an orderly exit from the EU and do appropriate contingency planning.”

Dorset’s district councils will receive £35,000 each, Dorset County Council will be given £175,000 and Bournemouth and Poole councils will each be allocated £210,000.

A further £1.5 million has been set aside by the government for local authorities which will be “facing immediate impacts” from ports.

“This will not be the only resources councils receive to fund Brexit costs,” Mr Brokenshire added. “Government has been clear that departments will assess and, if appropriate, fund any potential new burdens arising on councils as part of EU exit work they are undertaking.”

Andrew Flockhart, Poole council chief executive, who is leading its and Bournemouth council’s Brexit planning, said that they were working “closely” with public sector organisation and the Port of Poole to plan for any impact of the UK’s departure from the EU.

“Additional funding is welcome but as with everyone else in the UK we are still waiting to see and understand what the full impact of Brexit will be,” he said.

“Until further detail is known from government, we are continuing to work closely with all our public sector partners and the Port of Poole to plan for any potential impact locally.”