Purbeck council will not join Christchurch and East Dorset partnership
A Dorset council has decided not to join a shared service partnership with two other authorities.
Purbeck District Council had been considering sharing services with Christchurch Borough and East Dorset District councils.
But councillors voted in line with the recommendation of their leader, councillor Gary Suttle, not to proceed.
He said the authority would reconsider the proposal after the national and local elections in May 2015.
The Christchurch and East Dorset Partnership was founded in January 2011 and the councils share a number of services.
Mr Suttle said that after the elections the council's "political leadership will be in the position of having four years in which to implement, operate and appraise this, or a comparable partnership, should it so wish".
Twenty three councillors voted in favour of Mr Suttle's recommendation not to proceed with the shared services partnership and one abstained.
Councillor Ray Nottage, leader of Christchurch Borough Council, said: "Purbeck District Council approached us with a view to sharing services with ourselves and East Dorset District Council.
"We have worked closely with them on a business case for a potential partnership but it was their decision whether to go ahead or not and they have decided it is not right for them at this time."
Councillor Ian Monks, leader of East Dorset District Council, added: "Purbeck have indicated that they may be prepared to consider a shared-services partnership following the election in May 2015 and we will be happy to discuss this further with them should they approach us again."