9:00am Saturday 13th March 2010
By James Tourgout
COUNCIL leaders have refused to attend a public meeting in Dorchester in a row over electioneering.
Lib Dem candidate Sue Farrant called the summit about West Dorset District Council’s move to the proposed Charles Street development in Dorchester.
But the council’s leader Robert Gould and chief executive David Clarke have snubbed the meeting and accused Mrs Farrant of playing politics in the run-up to the General Election.
West Dorset MP Oliver Letwin has also waded in with an attack on Mrs Farrant for playing political football.
The meeting – on March 24 at 6.30pm in the United Church – comes amid concerns over the council’s relocation from its Stratton House headquarters in High West Street.
Council leader Robert Gould said: “I regret the move by the Dorset West Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for the Liberal Democrats to politicise this issue in the run-up to a General Election.
“For that reason we will not be attending the meeting.
“The move to cheaper and smaller offices is a crucial part of our work to keep this as one of the lowest-taxing authorities in the country cannot be adapted to suit an election campaign timetable.”
Mrs Farrant called the meeting after concerns were raised at a full meeting of the district council. She denied she was electioneering.
She said: “I am at a loss to understand why councillor Gould is so reluctant to discuss this with the public who are going to have to pay for it.
West Dorset Labour candidate Steve Bick said: “Sue Farrant is right as local people are questioning whether this is what is needed at this point.”
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