Two new unitaries – Dorset Council and BCP Council – came into being on 1 April this year. Mike Harries looks at how to successfully close down a council, focusing mainly on the journey taken by Dorset CC as it planned for its own demise

M y story begins with a phone call from the leader Cllr Rebecca Knox, to ask if I would take on the role of chief executive for the council's final months to ensure the safe and legal transfer of services to the new unitary councils. I was already involved as corporate director so knew that this would be a big task, even if (or especially as) it was only for four months.