A REFERENDUM on the future of governance at West Dorset District Council will cost the authority around £95,000, councillors have been told.

The Public First group triggered the referendum after attracting more than 6,000 signatures calling for the vote to consider introducing a committee system as opposed to the existing cabinet-style system.

At a full meeting of the council, leader Anthony Alford said the referendum would be held alongside the vote for the county’s Police and Crime Commissioner on May 5, reducing costs.

Public First’s John Grantham had suggested the council avoid a referendum by voluntarily introducing the committee system, following the lead of Canterbury City Council.

Cllr Alford did not say that the council would voluntarily change to a committee system and said the referendum would go ahead.