PRIME minister Theresa May has told politicians a decision on local government reorganisation in Dorset will be made to get the “best result” for residents.

The proposed ‘super-council’ merger for councils in the county featured in discussions at the House of Commons yesterday.

Christchurch MP Chris Chope raised the subject following last week’s referendum vote in the ancient borough.

Residents voted overwhelmingly - 84 per cent - in opposition to the proposals, which would see Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch form one single unitary authority.

Speaking at Prime Minister’s Questions yesterday, Mr Chope said: “On Thursday last week there was a very important local referendum in Christchurch.

“The result was 84 per cent of the people of Christchurch want to keep Christchurch as an independent sovereign borough and are against the abolition of Christchurch.”

At which point, House of Commons speaker John Bercow, said: “I can’t understand this atmosphere. I want to hear about the views of the good burghers of Christchurch.”

Mr Chope continued: “Will my right honourable friend ensure that the government respects the views of the people of Christchurch and will she also ensure that the government gives sufficient time, indeed extra time, for the council to draw up alternative proposals which properly reflect the wishes of the people of Christchurch.”

In response, Mrs May, said: “I thank my honourable friend for his question. As I am aware, as obviously he knows being very close to this, this is an issue that has been considered by local councils over a significant period of time.

“It’s an issue that has been considered by the Department for Communities and Local Government.

“As was said from a sedentary position be my honourable friend, it is also the case that there are other councils in the area that do support a change to the government structure.

“Of course, DCLG will be looking very carefully at the views of these councils to ensure that the best result is there for the people of Dorset.”

All local councils other than Christchurch are in support of the Future Dorset plans.

Members of Christchurch Borough Council are due to meet on January 2 to finalise the authority’s view.

Two-tier proposal from Christchurch Council

CHRISTCHURCH councillors will be asked to have their say on a proposal to the Secretary of State which suggests Bournemouth and Poole councils should merge, with the rest of Dorset remaining in a two-tier structure.

The recommendation will be considered by Christchurch Borough Council's (CBC) full council on January 2.

If approved, councillors will also request additional time to fully work up the proposal.

The draft representation states that the council believes that rather than implementing two new large and remote unitary councils there is greater strength in developing a mixed approach.

Should all of the elements of the proposals be adopted, CBC estimates that savings of £29.9m per annum, the same as those put forward in the Future Dorset model, could be achieved.

Cllr David Flagg, leader of CBC, said: “The results of the local poll in Christchurch clearly demonstrated that our residents do not want to be part of a new authority with Bournemouth and Poole.

"Based on the key policy the council made in January 2017, that we wish to retain our sovereignty moving forward, we believe that the alternative proposal recommended presents a credible alternative that, if approved, we hope the Secretary of State will take time to consider.”