Mark Whitehead 10 October 2018

Dorset council merger could cost extra £400,000

Setting up one of two new unitary councils in Dorset could cost at least £400,000, councillors have been warned.

The extra money will be needed when Dorset County, East Dorset, North Dorset, Purbeck, Weymouth & Portland and West Dorset councils merge in April, they heard.

Shadow council members were told the extra cash was the 'best guess' regarding the cost of paying for temporary staff who would be needed because currently serving officers are already maintaining services in the existing councils.

Keith Cheeseman, the officer in charge of the process, said the bill 'could go down as well as up' because unless some officers could be released to work on the transformation project he would be forced to hire temporary staff.

It has already been estimated that redundancy costs for four chief executives set to lose their posts in the merger could reach £1m.

The county's other authorities, Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch, will form a second council under the plans which supporters say could save £108m over six years.

Christchurch Borough Council, which initially opposed the plans, was refused permission to appeal against a High Court ruling over the merger in August.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Housing Assurance Service Manager

Kirklees Metropolitan Council
£55,675 - £56,649
We’re building a brand-new assurance team in our Homes & Neighbourhoods service Kirklees, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Kirklees Metropolitan Council

Trainee Public Health Practitioner

Kirklees Metropolitan Council
£24,404 - £24,790
Working within the Kirklees Public Health Improvement team Kirklees, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Kirklees Metropolitan Council

Climate Change Officer

Kirklees Metropolitan Council
£40,476 - £42,708
Are you a passionate and enthusiastic Climate Change Officer Kirklees, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Kirklees Metropolitan Council

Transition Home Manager

Durham County Council
Grade 13 £45,718 - £49,764 (Pay Award Pending)
Could you support young people to realise their individual potential and prepare them for their journey towards independence. NOT JUST A PLACE OF WOR Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

SEND and Inclusion Senior Specialist Support Worker (Communication and Interaction Team)

Durham County Council
Grade 8 £31,586 - £35,235 (Pay Award Pending)
We are recruiting a SEND & Inclusion Senior Specialist Support Worker to join our Specialist SEND & Inclusion Team. We would be particularly intereste Spennymoor
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner