12:00pm Monday 22nd March 2010
By James Tourgout
A POLL is being lined up for every voter in Dorchester to have their say on the district council’s £10.7million move to the proposed Charles Street development.
Petitioners have lodged an application with Dorchester Town Council for the parish poll – thought to be the first in the town in living memory.
The move comes after a row over a public meeting about West Dorset District Council’s plans to relocate from Stratton House to modern, purpose-built offices.
Lorna Low, who handed out leaflets about the public meeting in the town centre with fellow resident Keith Hix, welcomed the move.
She said: “I think it is a very good idea and will give people the chance to express their opinion.”
Mr Hix, of Manor Road, added: “I think it is an excellent idea.
“So far people haven’t had a voice and I think they should. I would have thought that of those who vote 95 per cent would be against the move to Charles Street.”
A vote will be held of all those eligible at Dorchester Town Council’s annual meeting on Thursday about whether to have the poll.
If the poll is agreed, a question will be drawn up with a yes or no answer.
Notification will then go to West Dorset District Council chief executive David Clarke as the election returning officer.
Technically, he could decline the call if he feels it extends beyond the parish boundaries.
The poll would then be held on a Thursday – probably in mid or late April – from 4pm to 9pm of all those eligible to vote – about 13,000 people of Dorchester’s 17,500-strong population.
Dorchester Town Council will have to pay the costs of the General Election-style referendum, about £5,000.
The result would not carry any legal weight and is not binding.
The provision for a poll features in the Local Government Act of 1972.
Town clerk Dennis Holmes said: “I can’t remember there being a town poll in Dorchester. I’ve been here 23 years and there’s never been one although they have happened occasionally elsewhere in the country.”
The call for a poll comes after West Dorset Lib Dem election candidate Sue Farrant organised a public meeting about the move at the United Church on Wednesday at 6.30pm.
District council leader Robert Gould and chief executive David Clarke have refused to attend as they claim Mrs Farrant is playing politics ahead of an election.
District council director of corporate resources and health Adrian Stuart said the authority knew about the poll.
He said: “We are aware of this issue and will respond as and when any request is made.”
The town council annual meeting is on Thursday at 7pm at the Pavilion at the Recreation Ground in Weymouth Avenue.
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