CALLS have been made for a referendum in East Dorset so residents can have their say on whether to be part of a 'super council' with Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch.

It was revealed last summer that the leaders of Bournemouth, Poole, Christchurch and East Dorset councils had entered into talks about creating a single unitary authority as part of central government’s devolution agenda.

However in December last year East Dorset District Council voted strongly against being involved in the negotiations - a decision that was overturned in April of this year.

In total 23 councillors supported the motion to enter discussions with the county's other authorities about forming one or more larger unitary bodies, with four members opposed and one abstention.

The issue was bought to the attention of the council once again this month when members of the public put questions to councillors during a full council meeting.

Resident Keith Baker asked for a referendum on the issue so the East Dorset residents could have their say on the future of the district.

"Will you assure us that the residents of East Dorset will be heard and will not have their opinions watered down larger populations of Bournemouth and Poole," Mr Baker asked members.

"We want a referendum.

He added: "There's absolutely no doubt in my mind that the residents of East Dorset will not want to go into a unitary authority with Bournemouth and Poole.

"What is also a concern is that other councils are coming forward about where they lie in response to this super council but East Dorset is remaining quiet about their position.

"Members of the public want to know what their council is going to do and what decision they will be making for us."

Leader Spencer Flower quashed any thoughts about a referendum saying "there would not be one".

He also said that members of the council will consider all the options from a Dorset wide and local perspective but would probably not be making their preferred option public until December or early January.

Last month Christchurch council unanimously agreed to ask local residents what they think about a possible merger with Bournemouth and Poole while voicing a number of reservations about the scheme.