TALKS are being held to ensure that Wimborne town council can legally set its share of the council tax this year.

The authority has fallen foul of rules which require the council to meet in person every six months – which means that decisions taken since the late summer may be ruled to have been made ‘without proper authority.’

It is possible that a new council will have now to be elected as a result of the breach and special arrangements made to set the council’s share of the overall council tax for the next financial year.

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Wimborne town council last met virtually via Zoom on January 21 to set a precept for the financial year ahead.

Town council chair Cllr Kelly Webb told the online meeting that the budget and precept would be set at the meeting which was expected to be held this Thursday, January 27.

The council chair said that the recommendation made at the January 21 meeting was expected to be then endorsed and the final decision over the council tax level delegated to the town clerk.

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Dorset Council has now stepped in to find a solution – with an initial recommendation to appoint all the former town councillors on a temporary basis, but only for the purposes of setting a precept and enabling the council to continue to function ahead of elections, if they are needed.

The meeting on January 21 agreed to recommend a 3 per cent increase, the maximum allowed, which will, if approved, see a Band D home paying £139.20 a year, up from the existing £133.14 Wimborne town council share of the tax.

Dorset Council, Police and Fire and Rescue precepts will also have to be added to the final bill.

Chief executive of the Dorset Association of Town and Parish Councils, Neil Wedge, says his organisation is working with Dorset Council and Wimborne town council to find a workable way forward.

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“I can confirm we are aware of the situation and are currently working with the council to understand the implications of the events pertaining to the period after the temporary legislation ceased allowing parish and town councils to meet virtually. Procedurally this is complex and covers the period commencing May 7, 2021 to the current day. Until we have assessed with Town Council all the potential impacts and have a clear route forward, it will be difficult to provide a definitive response to each question posed. Wimborne Minster staff and members are working very hard with help from Dorset Council and our organisation to look at the period in question.

“There are some vitally important imminent decisions to be reached for the local community and the Town Council. The immediate priority is to ensure these decisions are made without risk of challenge and by the required deadlines. We are encouraged that this should be achievable.

“We are mindful of the impact this news has on the community that the council represent and upon councillors and their employees. We will work with Wimborne Minster Town Council and Dorset Council to minimise the risk to council operations and funding.

“At this point no councillor has been disqualified, nor are there any illegal decisions evident, although as stated we will continue to review with the Town Council the period in question."

A spokesperson for Wimborne Minster Town Council said: “Wimborne Minster Town Council is working with Dorset Association of Parish and Town Councils to explore the concerns raised.

"Meantime, work continues as normal. Wimborne Minster Town Council and our councillors remain fully focused on serving the interests of the people of Wimborne.”