Last week, the Dorset Echo reported how

council tax is rising at above the rate of inflation

- which caused a lot of anger amongst our readers. Here's what just some of you had to say...

  • Whilst we will have 80 councillors representing us at the new Dorset County Council, we will have 29 councillors to oversee allotments, the beach, the Esplanade and a few very minor matters in Weymouth. That number was agreed by WPBC / Town Council after they made heavy representations to continue to use an old formula that was based loosely on 'fairness' but assumed all the old responsibilities. They stuck to the old ward boundaries and voter / councillor ratio despite there being little or no work for them to do. If enough people in Towns like Weymouth demand it, the Unitary Council as the Principal Council could conduct a community Governance review, which should result in a more proportionate representation. For Weymouth we should in my view be down to single figures for what in effect are parish councillors. Quince two
  • Actually, WPBC made heavy representations in the opposite direction, i.e. to have about half the number of councillors for the town council. The Electoral Commission didn't agree and here we are, with far too many councillors until it can be changed, which is at least five years away. James Farquharson
  • I'm surprised that people are shocked at the amount of rise when, after deciding to merge Councils, Weymouth promptly decided to create another local tpwn council. What for Gods' sake? Just to decide on fairy lights or lasers? What a criminal waste of money. Bfgh119
  • I could see this coming. They merged into one large council to save money, find they have no power and nothing to do, so want to have their cake and eat it. When you have another tier of establishment it always costs more, look at Portland and other districts. The new Weymouth councillors assured us it would cost less, and they have lied. It happens every time, as with waste disposal. Remember 2012, when they restructured, paid council officers a nice little earner in redundancy money, then rehired some in other positions? The elite constantly treat those who foot the bill with contempt and as stupid. Our council tax has risen by an average of 6% for 3 years running, whilst most wages and pensions do not. This has to stop. Intiindiana
  • How do we challenge the creation of the Weymouth Town Council? The proposal was for ALL the councils to merge into ONE council to fulfil ALL their responsibilities, not just a couple of prize services as they saw fit. There was never any mention of or proposal for a new Town Council until our WPBC Councillors suddenly realised they were out of favour. When it became apparent that the new council was a con and they were cherry picking services, instead of fighting for them to behave and take on all the promised services, our lot decided to re empire build instead. They, a body we had already decided to get rid of, decided that they would create a new unfunded Town Council, to keep them selves busy. Why should we, the public, who were not consulted, have to pay anything other than voluntary contributions towards this new Town Council? How do we get rid of it and force the Dorset Council to fulfil its mandate as it was proposed. Yellowcave