THE new Dorset Council has reached the starting block – but is in danger of falling at the first hurdle, according to some councillors.

At the inaugural meeting of the Shadow Dorset Council in Dorchester on Thursday night it was accused of not being inclusive, not keeping the public, or even its own members, involved, and being run for "the select few".

Several councillors were critical of proposed meetings which are almost exclusively in the daytime and mainly in Dorchester.

They said that those who worked, or had caring responsibilities, would be excluded from meetings, unless they changed the timetable.

Cllr Sarah Burns called for the majority of meetings to be in the evenings.

Weymouth councillor Christine James said she and others had also been snubbed by a 'task and finish' group – being told their services were not required, although this was later denied.

She said that the consultation, so far, seemed to be for what she described as “the select few.”

Cllr Lucy Hamilton said the work of task and finish groups, which would shape the way the new council operates, should be shared with all councillors and members of the public.

Dorset county council leader Cllr Rebecca Knox said member inclusion would be “absolutely paramount” in the lead up to the new council being created in April 2019, and there would be talks with partner organisations, including parish councils.

But she admitted: “There may not be public engagement.”

Programme officer Keith Cheeseman said he did "not expect to have a public consultation exercise”, although he promised to explore ways of making the work towards change more accessible to those with a direct interest.