Mr Javid said he had considered representations on the ‘Future Dorset’ plan after announcing he was “minded to” approve the proposal in November and had decided it “will herald a new era for the area”.
While Christchurch BC opposed reorganisation, and has since announced it will seek legal advice in relation to today’s announcement, Mr Javid said he was satisfied there is a “good deal” of local support for the proposal and the new councils would cover a “credible geography”.
Mr Javid said he will now prepare the necessary secondary legislation, with the intention of establishing the new councils on 1 April 2019.
The first elections are planned for 2 May 2019. Mr Javid said a parliamentary order will be drafted to delay elections due in Weymouth & Portland BC this May by one year.
Mr Javid said last November that once he had made a decision on this issue he would consider locally-led proposals to form a combined authority.
Christchurch BC has launched a legal challenge to reorganisation in Dorset, despite the government describing it as “absurd”.
Christchurch BC councillors opposed to reorganisation in Dorset claim housing and communities secretary Sajid Javid acted unlawfully by submitting draft legislation to create two unitary councils in the county.
Exeter City Council has been told to split the posts of chief executive and growth director, both at present held by Karime Hassan.
Christchurch BC councillors opposed to local government reorganisation in Dorset have been warned that they have no grounds for a legal challenge.