The plan was originally unveiled at a council meeting in November

The plan was opposed by all five district councils and local unions.

Somerset's bid for unitary status will now go to central government which will decide later this year.

Somerset County Council recently published its business case for the establishment of the proposed unitary authority.

Formal boundary

A spokesman said unitary status would offer "wide-ranging advantages".

The new council would have 116 members with two councillors representing each of the existing divisions, replacing district and county councillors.

The new authority would also request a formal boundary review in 2009 with a view to "further improving democratic accountability".

Council leader Cathy Bakewell said, "I welcome this outcome as a landmark day for Somerset where we begin the process of striving for a new form of government.

"This will empower local decision making, reduce the confusion created by the two-tier system and achieve efficiencies to allow further investment in frontline services."

Last November, a council meeting in Taunton passed the original motion instructing officers to work on a bid to create a unitary council for the county.