In August 2016 all nine councils across Dorset began a consultation about the future shape of local government in Dorset. The results of this consultation led six councils, including Weymouth & Portland Borough Council, to send a formal request to the Secretary of State for the Department for Communities and Local Government to form two unitary councils for Dorset.
In preparation for the Secretary of State for the Department for Communities and Local Government’s decision, Weymouth & Portland Borough Council agreed at a Special Full Council on 30 March 2017 to undertake a Community Governance Review under the provisions of the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 ('the 2007 Act').
The review considered the creation of new Parish Councils in the Weymouth & Portland Borough Council area.
Two rounds of public consultation took place between March 2017 and February 2018.
The first consultation had about 1,000 responses. 77% of people agreed or strongly agreed with the idea of a single town council for Weymouth. The second consultation had 532 responses, with 68% of people agreeing or strongly agreeing to the plan for the town council set up.
At a Full Council meeting on 22 February 2018 Weymouth & Portland Borough Council agreed to set up a new council to cover the Weymouth area.
Work is now underway to set up Weymouth Town Council.
Community Governance Review Guidance
If you would like to know more about community governance reviews, guidance documents have been produced by the Local Government Boundary Commission for England and the Department for Communities and Local Government.