Devolution 'not a merger' says council leader

Dorset council leader Nick Ireland said discussions were ongoing

Any devolution deal between Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire will not be a merger of councils, a council leader has said.

Dorset Council's Nick Ireland said the idea had been forced upon unwilling partners by the government, despite lacking detail.

Dorset signed an expression of interest with Wiltshire and Somerset, to find areas where they could collaborate.

Mr Ireland said: "We thought it was better to be around the table than sat outside it."

The leader's comments came in response to a question at the full council meeting on Thursday from Littlemoor and Preston councillor Louie O’Leary.

Mr Ireland said: "The last thing we want is another large bureaucracy above us, but the government steer is just that, although I can't see anything happening anytime soon."

Last month, the three councils announced they were submitting a request for devolution, calling themselves the "Heart of Wessex", in response to a request from the government to consider devolving control for things like local transport and planning.

A joint statement said: "Discussions to date have also included Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council (BCP) and Swindon Borough Council.

"Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire councils remain open to the possibility of working with these councils across the Wessex region."