Public First Group of West Dorset’s non-party-political Campaign for Local Democracy is staging two new meetings, which I hope to chair, after our first in Dorchester on January 7 drew a 270-person turnout.

Many had concerns about the Cabinet system. Film excerpts are on publicfirstgroup.blogspot.co.uk.

The second meeting is at the Electric Palace, Bridport, at 7pm on Friday February 20.

The objectives are to understand better: a) What the public feels about how WDDC applies Cabinet Government in West Dorset; and b) The case for urgently investigating Dorset going Unitary, bearing in mind Ernst & Young’s projection for Leicestershire County Council of savings up to £31.4m per annum by merging eight organisations into one; and Ernst & Young’s prediction that Oxfordshire County Council could save up to £32.5 million per annum by merging their city, county and four district councils.

Public First’s third meeting will be at the Digby Hall, Sherborne, Friday evening, February 27 at 7.30pm.

It is again the public who will speak first, and most.

We’re inviting Prospective Parliamentary candidates from Conservative, Green, Labour, Lib Dem and UKIP parties, and, with objective a) in mind, we’re also inviting the Leader of West Dorset District Council.

With regard to Objective b) the Unitary question, since the funding for this will probably need to be at county level, we’re inviting the leaders of the two main DCC parties to address the meeting, and encouraging other DCC councillors to contribute.

Invitees are all elected politicians, or going for election.

All are requested to be present from 7pm so the public can know the public’s views will have been heard before the politicians’ reply.

Clive Stafford Smith, Chairman, Public First Group West Dorset Symondsbury