THE outgoing Mayor of Christchurch was unable to call a special meeting to discuss the future of the council -because there wasn't enough time.

At a recent meeting of the Scrutiny committee, members voted to invite the Mayor, Cllr Fred Neale, to call an extraordinary council meeting over the future reorganisation of Dorset authorities.

It was intended the meeting would discuss criteria for the council and residents to judge proposals for the potential changes, prior to the publication of a business plan setting out the financial situation.

Issues discussed during the meeting include the 'tight' timeframe for decisions, and public consultation, which is due to take place in July and August.

Chief executive David McIntosh said both community services and resources committees would be discussing the reports, which "covers all the members of the council."

But speaking at the meeting on April 28, Cllr Denise Jones said: "We are a member led council; not a council that has everything decided by community services and resources.

"It is not for two committees to decide what's important for the future of the people of Christchurch. I am not prepared to say to people this was the decision of the council if the full council is not involved."

Cllr Neale, who was replaced as Mayor by Cllr Trish Jamieson at annual council on Tuesday, said there was insufficient time due to the Bank Holiday and PCC election to call the extraordinary meeting.

He said the council's constitution required two weeks notice to be given prior to any council meeting and he was unable to meet with the appropriate officers until very recently.

"Even if I had called the meeting straightaway, the meeting itself would have fallen after I have stood down", he said in a statement to members.

"I don’t think it would have been appropriate to call a meeting if I would not be in a position to chair it."

Dorset County Council considered the options at a meeting in March, with members supporting the formation of two unitary councils in Dorset.

This would either see a 'shire' Dorset authority and a merger of Poole and Bournemouth, or a unitary of Poole, Bournemouth and Christchurch, with the other councils merging.

The vote was not binding and was made so councillors could indicate their preferred direction going forward.