A JOINT service between four Dorset councils could be given the go-ahead in a further bid to save money.

Councillors at the Borough of Poole and the three authorities within the Stour Valley Partnership – Christchurch, East Dorset and North Dorset – will decide in September whether to form a partnership between all four authorities to deliver revenues and benefits services. A business case was approved by members at Borough of Poole and members of the Stour Valley Partnership Joint Committee in July.

It will be taken to full council at each authority for a final decision in September.

If approved, the partnership will be asked to approve the recommendation to implement the Stour Valley and Poole Partnership in phases, starting with a shared management structure while maintaining current operational services from April 2014.

The second phase, which will look at bringing together the operational services for Poole borough and the Stour Valley Partnership, will be reviewed by the councils in 2014.