Dorset county council has not been left ‘in limbo’ – according to leader Cllr Rebecca Knox and a senior official.

The claim was made by Weymouth Green Party councillor Clare Sutton at Thursday’s meeting of the authority in Dorchester.

She said that she thought the existing council was ‘in limbo’ because all major financial decisions, above £100,000, were now being forwarded to the Shadow Executive Committee, which was preparing for the April 2019 creation of the new Dorset Council.

“Is there anything we can actually do in the next few months?” she said.

Service director for organisational development, Jonathan Mair said that activities towards the new council were “starting to increase in pace,” but said that for the existing council it was still business as normal.

Council Leader Rebecca Knox said that most work was continuing as it had been with only decisions which would have financial implications for the new authority, being passed to the Shadow Executive for consideration.

“Whatever happens the debates in this authority shouldn’t stop,” she said.

Mr Mair also denied that the authority was in limbo. He said that it was just that some decisions were now taking different route before being approved.

“Nothing is in limbo and being lost. There’s just a different process now in place.” he said.

The meeting was also told that a hearing in the High Court, brought by Christchurch Borough Council, as a challenge to the Secretary of State’s decision over unitary council status, and a similar appeal by an individual, had yet to be decided – although an announcement was expected by the end of July, or early August.