CHRISTCHURCH councillors have delivered their verdict to the leader on the council on the proposals for council reorganisation.

In a long and arduous meeting over the issue of local government reorganisation, members tabled an alternative recommendation for council leader Ray Nottage to take forward.

And it was narrowly voted through 11-9.

The motion said that the council considers that of all the options proposed, no change most closely reflects the wishes of the people of Christchurch.

It mandates the leader to campaign for the new Dorset Combined Authority to develop closer working between all the councils in Dorset, with a view to taking on responsibility for adult social care for the county.

It also calls for the leader to discuss with Dorset County Council how Christchurch can deliver services currently provided by the county council and to make it clear to the other leaders of the councils that if any unitary authorities are established, that all residents pay the same council tax from the start.

The vote came after more than three hours, and culminated in confusion as to which motion the members discussions had been based on.

Cllr Nottage is set to meet with the eight other leaders on Thursday.

Despite councillors Trevor Watts, Claire Bath and Bernie Davis, among others calling for change in order to protect services, many councillors said more time was needed to explore all the options available.

Cllr Margaret Phipps, said she was not happy with the 'limited' options presented in the consultation.

"It seems clear to me that some reorganisation is necessary. However, I am unhappy that the only options on offer mean that Christchurch will lose its independence and boundaries.

"It is a fact that in the consultation Christchurch was the only authority in Dorset that did not have an overall majority."

She added: "More work needs to be done; we need to take some time and look at the options."

Cllr Denise Jones said: "We seem to have been funnelled down the path of 2b.

"We're not here to fulfill the ambitious ideas of our neighbours; we're here to decide what is best for Christchurch and that's what matters."

But in his summing up, Cllr Ray Nottage warned members of the severity of the adult social care situation.

He said: "We are totally aware that the cost of social care is escalating faster than any sort of process that we can deal in a financial manner.

"This is about providing pragmatic services to those people. When you say 'no change' please take the responsibility for saying to your community 'I cannot guarantee the services you will receive in 10 years time are going to be exemplary.'

"That's what we are talking about here."

Prior to the debate, Cllr Nottage survived a motion of no confidence proposed by Independent leader, Cllr Colin Bungey.

Demonstrators had gathered at the Civic Offices to support the motion, with signs saying 'Nottage Out' and 'No confidence'.