A GROUP of Christchurch councillors who want to merge with Bournemouth, have launched a bid to get a colleague thrown off talks on the future of local government.

Nine members have signed a letter sent to Debbie Ward, the chief executive of Dorset County Council.

Cllrs Claire Bath, Bernie Davis, Tavis Fox, Wendy Grace, Vicki Hallam, Ray Nottage, Lisle Smith, Sue Spittle and Trevor Watts have all put their names to the letter, dated September 20.

The move is said to have angered DCC's leader Rebecca Knox as it is a political matter, not one for a paid official.

Currently one of the Dorset county councillors representing the interests of Christchurch is Cllr David Jones of Burton and Grange wards.

But in the letter, which the Echo understands was written by former leader, Cllr Ray Nottage, the nine say: "We have been made aware that meetings will shortly be convened between delegates of Poole, Bournemouth and Christchurch councils.

"We would like to bring to your attention our concerns about the diligence used to select the delegate to represent DCC at the preliminary meeting arranged for October."

This is apparently a reference to Cllr Jones, a long-time adversary of Cllr Nottage's when he led the council before being ousted earlier this year and also a fierce opponent of merger with Bournemouth.

The letter, which does not name Cllr Jones goes on: "We believe that this issue is of such importance to the whole process of local government reorganisation that delegates should either be DCC cabinet members or at least represent the views of the DCC cabinet and endorse those decisions made by the whole of Dorset County Council.

"Further any selection of a ‘twin hatter’ who has been party to a campaign against local government reorganisation would be inappropriate.

"In bringing our concerns to your attention we request the publication of your mission statement or guidance as to the responsibilities of the selected delegate and how they will be chosen.

"We request that your selection appoints a cabinet member to represent Dorset Council who is aligned to the directions set by your council. We believe that this councillor should have a history of fiscal understanding as well as a clear perspective of the necessity for reorganisation in Dorset, together with a clear understanding of the impact on service delivery to the residents of Christchurch, if the financial challenges ahead are not addressed."

Cllr Jones declined to comment on the letter.

But a friend said: "It just goes to show that these people will not protect Christchurch to keep it out of Bournemouth and Poole. "