WEST Dorset district councillors have backed a move to join forces with their neighbours in Weymouth and Portland to deliver services.

At a meeting of the full council, members supported a move towards joint working between the two district councils in order to achieve savings for the taxpayer.

It is estimated that the move could save the West Dorset authority around £8.5million over the next five years.

The new system would see the two councils providing services under a single officer structure with one chief executive and management team.

Council leader Robert Gould said: “We would continue to be two separate authorities, each setting its own budget and council tax.

“Both would still be able to deliver the services that local people want in the way that is most appropriate for their area.

“But I believe we will be stronger together – the partnership will give us the opportunity to learn from each other and protect valued local services at a time when our government funding is about to fall significantly.”

Weymouth and Portland Borough Council will discuss the case for merging workforces at their meeting on July 22.