THE new unitary council for the conurbation should recognise Christchurch's heritage in its name, a councillor says.

Cllr Mark Howell, leader of Poole People Party, said the new authority set to come into effect in April next year should be officially titled 'Christchurch, Poole and Bournemouth Council'.

At present, the new authority's legal name lists the three boroughs in alphabetical order. When it is established its members will be free to choose a new public name.

Cllr Howell said his party's proposed public name, to be presented to councillors from all three boroughs at the next shadow authority meeting on October 18, would reflect "the order such names first appear in historic records – Christchurch 11th century, Poole 12th century and Bournemouth 19th century".

"Bournemouth councillors have no interest in choosing a different, non-geographic name for the authority because the name 'Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole' would naturally be shortened to Bournemouth over time," he said.

"It is now clear that the cabal of Bournemouth councillors that is leading the merger process and which wishes to secure city status for Bournemouth has pushed back against the adoption of a new name.

"The creation of 'Bournemouth City' would be detrimental to the interests of other areas within the new authority, including Christchurch and Poole, as it would absorb a disproportionate amount of resources.

"The motion we are putting forward will enable councillors of Christchurch and Poole to show they consider it important to protect the character of those towns, and councillors of Bournemouth to show that they do not see the merger as a takeover.”

Cllr Howell recently made a complaint about Borough of Poole leader Cllr Janet Walton claiming she had been "disrespectful" and had not answered his questions on the naming of the new unitary.

Cllr Walton, also chairman of the executive committee of the shadow authority, told the Daily Echo the current name was the "legal name and will be used in all material relating to the new council".

She said: "Once elections have been held on May 2, 2019, should the new members wish to reconsider the name this would be a matter for the new BCP Council."