East Dorset District Council is re-considering its decision not to be involved in exploring the possibility of a unitary council for the county.

The council is the only one in Dorset not to be involved in the county-wide study into new models of local government.

It said new factors have come to light since it made the decision not to be involved back in December, such as the reduction in government funding in the Local Government Financial Settlement and the powers available through devolution deals.

Cllr Robin Cook, the council’s portfolio holder for change and transformation, said: ‘When members took the decision not to be involved in the work to look at future options for the county we did not know about the government’s powers with regard to their devolution agenda nor were we aware of just how much government grant we would be losing in the coming years.

‘It seems sensible that members now re-examine that decision in the light of that extra information to see whether we believe it would now be more relevant for us to be part of the county-wide work to look at future options for local government in Dorset.’

Councillors will debate the proposal at a full meeting on 18 April.