Concerns that Christchurch councillors are being “kept in the dark” led to questions over the decision-making process behind the borough’s new town centre strategy.

Independent councillor Colin Bungey raised concerns about the proposals during a full council meeting at Christchurch on Tuesday.

He asked how many consultants were invited to tender and who was involved in choosing the selected firm.

Leader of Christchurch council, Ray Nottage said the council had asked for expressions of interest and from three shortlisted companies, two elected members and five officers chose the final one.

Cllr Bungey also asked who decided on the design brief and the parameters, with Cllr Nottage replying that officers had decided with the portfolio holders for economy, transport and heritage.

Cllr Bungey said: “We do not have a cabinet system here. Have the leader and portfolio holder exceeded their authority and the spending of taxpayers’ money by not going to full council or committee?”

Christchurch council’s solicitor, Keith Mallett, said: “There has been no impropriety.”

Speaking after the meeting, Cllr Bungey told the Daily Echo: “I have my concerns that only two councillors and five officers were involved in this.

“No other councillors were told anything about it until a few days before the consultants made the presentation to the council members.

“Although I am told by the solicitor that there was no impropriety, I feel that members are being kept in the dark about what’s going on and we seem to be operating under a cabinet system although we are not a cabinet council.

“Just a few elite members seem to be in the know and everyone else including the controlling group members seems to be excluded.”

Dave Munnick presented a petition on behalf of residents saying the consultation had been inadequate and not given people sufficient time to comment.

Cllr Claire Bath said it had not been a formal consultation but an indication of some of the ideas being considered.

The exercise had been successful and the consultants were now studying the responses, she added.

A report will go to members in November and then out for formal public consultation.