A FRACTIOUS debate on the future of Christchurch council was heard as members looked at a choice of arrangements for the next few years.

Discussions on the options for councils in Dorset, took place at Christchurch council's scrutiny and policy review committee ahead of a vote at full council.

The options include a pan-Dorset unitary council including all nine councils, a unitary council for South East Dorset made up of Bournemouth, Poole, Christchurch and East Dorset and a third choice of no change.

Despite agreeing to go forward with plans to examine the three options, disagreement was heard on the time scale and information available.

A new resolution, proposed by Cllr David Jones, was voted through 5-3, calling for a report into the alternatives for reorganisation including costs, benefits and feasibility, the best way to gauge public opinion and how the proposals would affect residents of Christchurch.

It also called for a report into how services might be delivered under the three options.

The meeting took place before East Dorset councillors voted against all options on the table, blowing a massive hole in the scheme.

Leader of Christchurch council, Cllr Ray Nottage, who is also portfolio holder, said it was not feasible to expect the report at the same time as the business case was presented to members.

"These situations are very complicated", he said.

"The fiscal process is just the start. If that is not set-up then it won't go forward.

"I understand that we will be scrutinising the business case very, very carefully.

"A report into these other issues will be done if the fiscal process holds up."

But Cllr Jones, said: "I think this expresses our concerns. The people want to know more about it.

"We have heard about deals being done behind closed doors. I have spoken to a lot of people who say 'this is a done deal'.

"We have got to be transparent and we need to see these things."

Cllr Denise Jones supporting the amendment, said the timescale was the issue.

"By the time we get this business case, it will be time to move on", she said calling for the issues to be explored further.

Members voted 23-1 at full council to explore the options, with Cllr Colin Bungey abstaining.