Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole

Bournemouth and Christchurch were historically part of the county of Hampshire, while Poole was historically a part of Dorset and was a county corporate. By the mid-20th century, the towns had begun to coalesce as a conurbation, and in the Local Government Act 1972 the three areas were brought together under the non-metropolitan county of Dorset, while still administered as separate districts. In 1997, Poole and Bournemouth became unitary authorities, while Christchurch remained a lower tier district with county-level services provided by Dorset County Council. The new authority was formed as a result of local government reorganisation in the ceremonial county of Dorset. Under the plans,…