Leader resigns over council 'no merger' vote

The proposed single council would serve a population of up to 487,000 residents

The leader of East Dorset District Council has resigned ahead of a vote on plans to combine four local authorities.

Ian Monks had wanted councillors to consider a proposed alliance between Bournemouth, Christchurch, East Dorset and Poole councils.

The full council voted 20 to eight to reject the merger.

The single unitary authority would have served a combined population of about 487,000 people.

Councillors also rejected a second proposal to combine all nine of Dorset's councils to create a single unitary authority.

Christchurch Borough Council is to consider both options when its councillors meet later.

Opposition councillors in Poole have called for a referendum on the plans.

All four councils needed to formally agree the proposal by spring 2016.