The fate of the new Dorset council now rests with the High Court today. 

Christchurch Borough Council’s legal challenge to the opposition of local government reorganisation in Dorset will begin in the High Court at 10.30am. 

Christchurch Borough Council is the only authority opposed to local government reorganisation in Dorset with its challenge centring on the view that the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government acted beyond his powers in making the regulations which will see Dorset’s existing nine councils abolished and two new unitary councils created.

The approved plans will see Christchurch merge with Bournemouth and Poole councils and for Dorset County, Weymouth and Portland, West Dorset, East Dorset, North Dorset and Purbeck councils to merge into a single authority.

Having taken legal advice the council lodged a Judicial Review application and last month the Honourable Mrs Justice Lambert ordered that the case be heard in the High Court.

Cllr David Flagg, Christchurch Borough Council leader, said: “The council believe we have a strong legal argument and we are working closely with our legal advisors to prepare our case for the court hearing.

"Whilst the Government might believe that our case is absurd that it is clearly not the view of the Judge and we believe we have a strong legal argument.

“We have been thorough and meticulous in our approach and simply being granted permission to have our case heard sends a strong message that it is wholly with merit.”

“I am pleased that we now have a date for the court hearing and we will continue to challenge the abolition of Christchurch Borough Council in line with the wishes of those we were elected to represent.”

In response, the other councils involved in LGR said that they would fully expect the review to conclude that the Secretary of State made the decision lawfully.