News

Dorset merger could be at risk as Christchurch finds new route to legal challenge

There might still be a lawful route to legally challenge the government’s decision to merge councils across Dorset, Christchurch Borough Council has claimed.

In board papers released ahead of a meeting on 24 April, the local authority revealed that “a more recent point of law has emerged” that could provide a way through which to put a halt to current merging plans.

Communities secretary Sajid Javid green-lit the merger in late February this year after all councils apart from Christchurch offered their support, despite some having expressed concerns initially.

When the news broke, Christchurch deputy leader Cllr Trish Jamieson said the authority was disappointed with the government’s decision, especially considering that the borough council had put forward an alternative solution. In a poll, the local authority also found that 84% of residents did not support plans to make Christchurch part of a unitary council with Bournemouth and Poole.

In January this year, the borough council said it was preparing to take legal action if plans to merge the local authorities were approved by Whitehall. But during a conference with Nathalie Lieven QC and council bosses in March, the QC said there were no grounds for a dispute and concluded that undertaking further work “would not generate any opportunities for building a credible legal case.”

However, recent board papers noted that notwithstanding this, “a more recent point of law has emerged to which counsel’s further opinion has been sought.” Councillors are set to discuss this greater detail during the full council meeting next week.

If the opportunity to challenge the merger does not realistically exist, the council will then have to consider its next steps.

(Top image c. Fonrimso)