COUNCIL tax plans are set to be overhauled to bring rates in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole in line more quickly.

New proposals, outlined in a report to the first meeting of the cabinet of BCP Council, are for rates in the three towns to be brought in line in two years rather than the controversial seven-year process.

The multi-group alliance controlling the council said the move was about “fairness” and would allow a period for council tax and services to brought up to a similar level across each town.

The recommended plan for facilitating a shorter period will see people in Bournemouth and Poole receiving 2.99 per cent – the maximum allowed without a referendum – council tax rises next year. Meanwhile rates in Christchurch will be reduced by 4.5 per cent.

The following year, Poole will again see a 2.99 per cent increase with people in Bournemouth having a smaller 0.76 per cent rise with rates in Christchurch frozen with all rates equal in 2021.

Cabinet member for finance, Liberal Democrat Cllr David Brown, said the change from the approach agreed by members of the shadow authority last year would be a fairer one.

“While we were having talks about forming the alliance it quickly became apparent that the previous approach was not right.

“The Christchurch independents wanted it to be a day one harmonisation which you could understand but at the same time there is not yet parity between services. For example, Poole has lost a lot of its public conveniences.

“The two-year approach allows us to harmonise council tax and services at the same time.”

Cllr Brown said the change would have an impact on its finances but that the shorter period would give the council more “flexibility” with council tax in future years.

Cllr Brown added that the change would have an impact on its finances but that the shorter period would give the council more “flexibility” with council tax in future years.

“Whereas we would have had our hands tied for seven years over whether we needed to increase or could decrease rates this means that in three years we will be able to do what is necessary then,” he added.

Cabinet member and mayor of Christchurch Cllr Lesley Dedman said the two-year harmonisation period was the "fairest" way to do things.

"What this proves is that this could have been done last year," she said. "This was the main issue in Christchurch and I'm glad that we have now reached this position.

"The view of Christchurch residents was very clear and this is the fairest outcome for everyone living in the three towns."

No changes to council tax charges will be made until the budget for next year is finalised.

Council Leader Liberal Democrat Cllr Vikki Slade said: “It isn’t fair that residents of Christchurch pay a significantly higher level of council tax than those with the same band of property in Poole and Bournemouth.

“We want a new approach that sees everyone in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole paying the same council tax levels as soon as possible.

“But this must be linked to everyone receiving the same standards of service too, across the board.”

Members of the council’s cabinet will consider the new approach at their first meeting on Wednesday (June 12).