IT WAS interesting to hear about the Conservative reaction to the original Liberal Democrat motion which called for a referendum before Poole, with its long proud history, is surrendered to a new super/monster (delete as appropriate) council, a motion that might have won support from some of their backbenchers.

The consultation that Russell Trent referred to should have taken place BEFORE the preferred option was developed, as was the case just over 20 years ago when residents chose the Poole Unitary Authority route – bringing services back from Dorset, which was granted despite Poole’s 'compact' size.

The ‘Super Council’ discussions only seemed to have come to light as a result of a leak. Where’s the democracy in that? What a contrast!

It is interesting that while Poole, Bournemouth, Christchurch and East Dorset are looking to go down the ‘Super Council’ route, people are looking at Birmingham, which has become a bit of a basket case, being broken down into several Unitary Councils, with just a strategic overview at City level – much closer to the way things are developing in Manchester, and very much the way our economically successful capital city is governed.

London has several unitary authorities running most of the services, with the GLA and the Mayor responsible for a few overarching issues like transport.

I don’t remember seeing local Conservatives at an open, all party, meeting in Winchester a year or so ago, which looked at whether a 'Central Southern' regional strategic partnership was an option. Perhaps they already 'had a plan'.

As for the proposed referendum, next spring we have elections for the Police and Crime Commissioner. It would seem reasonable that a town-by-town referendum on the merger proposal could be held at the same time – thus saving a fortune on a stand-alone one.

Tony Trent Fraser Road Poole