COUNCIL chiefs have pledged that residents’ views will be taken seriously in the super council consultation, and that councillors will “put the needs of residents first”.

The consultation, which runs between August 30 and October 25, will highlight four options for the future shape of local government in Dorset.

Speaking at the launch event at Upton House today, chief executives representing Dorset’s nine existing local authorities said alternative proposals made by members of the public could potentially determine the final decision, but ruled out a referendum.

Bournemouth council chief executive Tony Williams said: “We tried to write the documentation so it was as neutral and impartial as possible.

“The object of the exercise is to listen. People might think there is some nuance there, but there isn’t.”

Asked whether he foresaw any political difficulties or conflict arising, Mr Williams said councillors were “prepared to do the right thing” and “put the needs of residents first”.

Asked whether a referendum would be a more democratic means of deciding the matter, he said it was not a ‘yes/no’ question and expected to be a “complicated picture across Dorset”.

“Yes this issue carries a number of options but in the consultation exercise there is room available for alternative options as well.”

The consultation document claims several financial benefits for the formation of two unitary councils - three of the four options - and says that retaining the present system would result in a £30.4 million deficit. It dismisses the pan-Dorset unitary option as “too big”.

When asked whether they believed the way the document was set out risked leading residents towards a particular option, Dorset County Council chief executive Debbie Ward said “The financial viewpoint is not the only issue that is important to people out in the county.”

She said “local identity” was likely to be a key issue for the public.

Borough of Poole chief executive Andrew Flockhart said the financial argument was strong but added: “We are looking for other issues that need to be considered.

“We are anticipating a very wide variety of views from right across the county.”

Christchurch and East Dorset councils chief executive David McIntosh confirmed that councillors who publicly committed themselves to a particular option during the consultation process risked being barred from the voting process next year, due to legal restrictions.

“Councillors aren’t meant to tell the public what they think but to hear what they think,” he said.

The chiefs also confirmed that a two council option would see around 450 job losses, but that town and parish councils would likely be unaffected by current proposals.

The first consultation ‘roadshow’ event takes place in Corfe Mullen, at the Co-op in Wareham Road, between 10am and 2pm on Tuesday, August 30.

For more information or to complete the online questionnaire, please visit reshapingyourcouncils.uk

Council tax rise whatever happens

COUNCIL tax would be brought up to the same level across each new unitary authority, council chiefs have said.

At present residents under each of Dorset’s nine local authorities pay different rates, but in any new unitary council those residents in areas currently paying the lowest rate would face a rise of up to 3.99 per cent.

Referring to the variations of the two unitary council structure being proposed, Bournemouth council chief executive Tony Williams said: “Whichever model residents prefer there would be a difference in council tax harmonisation.”

He said any tax rises would be capped at that maximum, and the whole process of aligning rates so all people in the same band pay the same amount could take 20 years.

Council chiefs claim the increase would be less than if the current system is maintained.