CALLS to change the name of the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Shadow Authority were slammed as a “total waste of time” by the group’s deputy chairman.

Cllr Ann Stribley hit out at the motion that had been tabled by Poole People Party councillor Mark Howell (pictured), who wanted the name of the shadow authority to be changed to Christchurch, Poole and Bournemouth.

He said listing the towns in order of their first appearance in historic records would recognise the importance of preserving the character of Christchurch and Poole in the wake of fears the name will simply be shortened to Bournemouth in the future.

However, Cllr Stribley, who was Mayor of Poole in 2015/16, said she was “disappointed and saddened” to have a “pointless motion” on the agenda at the shadow authority meeting.

“We are legally known as BCP,” she said.

“CPB doesn’t roll off the tongue any easier. I believe we should stick to the name we have for the time being.

“If and when in the future the new authority does become a city then maybe the time for the wide consultation with the public and a new name perhaps to be chosen.

“For this evening it is a total waste of time and I am ashamed we have got it on the agenda.”

Cllr Howell, who engaged in a verbal riposte with shadow authority chairman Cllr Ray Nottage, said: “Despite people saying this is an unimportant motion, the facts say the demographics, the geography, the infrastructure of this area are not suited to being a city.

“If you look at the definition of a city, you can’t have a group of towns being a city, you have to have one dominant name for that city, and that is going to be Bournemouth at this rate.”

He added: “I very much value the history of Poole and that should be protected.”

Cllr Nicola Greene said it was the job of the new unitary to make any change to the name and suggestions could be put forward at that time. She also said that Cllr Howell’s plan “pleased no one.”

In a recorded vote, 50 members were against the motion, 23 in favour and six abstained.