THE timetable for Christchurch's referendum on the super council plans has been revealed.

Councillors are due to discuss the progress with the poll at a meeting at 6pm on Tuesday, April 18.

A report for members, prepared by officers, states: "The timescales are very tight if the poll result is to be known, incorporated into a further representation, considered at a special council meeting and forwarded to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government before the end of May 2017.

"It is essential that the poll is run well so that the council and those who choose to vote have confidence in the process and therefore the result.

"The principles that will be followed are very similar to those used in local elections and with which members will be very familiar."

Residents will be asked the following Yes/No question: "Do you support the current proposal for a single Council covering Christchurch, Bournemouth and Poole?"

According to the timetable, information documents will be sent for printing on April 19 and subsequently dispatched to households in the borough by first class post.

The voting packs will also contain ballot papers, polling statements and return envelopes, and will be sent to all those on the Christchurch electoral register on Thursday, May 4, arriving the following day.

According to the report: "This is designed to reduce any potential confusion that would be caused if the voting packs were with electors before the Dorset County Council local

elections have been concluded."

Ballot papers would have to be returned by post, or handed in at the civic offices, by 5pm on Thursday, May 18.

The count would take place that evening.

Earlier this week the borough turned down a private offer of £30,000 towards the cost of the poll - estimated to be around £60,000 - due to concerns it might render it susceptible to allegations of bias.

Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government Sajid Javid is still to make a decision on the proposed merger of Dorset councils into two unitary authorities.

Six councils backed the scheme, but Christchurch, East Dorset and Purbeck were opposed.