The chances of persuading a policy change on asset transfers by the new unitary Dorset Council are virtually nil.

West Dorset council leader Tony Alford, who is also a member of the new council's shadow executive, has warned district councillors and their town and parish council colleagues not to bank on a change of mind.

The asset transfer policy is being investigated at a special meeting early in the New Year - after West Dorset councillors complained about the way the policy is being interpreted and the way it was originally explained to councillors.

Many members of the district council are unhappy that the shadow executive stopped it transferring public toilets, and some other assets, to town and parish councils – claiming the move breached policy and a financial limit.

But Cllr Alford promised the district strategy committee on Thursday that should there be a change of mind the district would quickly arrange a special meeting and get the transfer process underway again to beat the end of March deadline.

The meeting heard that the shadow council executive committee decision had angered not only district councils but the town and parishes who had spent so long preparing for the asset switch.

Cllr Simon Christopher defended the shadow executive decision. He said the new authority needed to maximise its income to pay for essential services when it came into being in April next year. He suggested that the best time to look at assets transfer would be once the new council was in existence.

“It will have a considerable property portfolio...there will be great demand to see if those parcel of land could be used, perhaps for affordable housing, or care villages.

“I really do believe it should be a question of patience, patience, patience. Things will be resolved,” he said.

Bridport councillor David Rickard said there had been anger across West Dorset when the asset transfer was stopped earlier in the year after months of work.

“It came as a bitter blow when it was stopped in its tracks, erroneously in the opinion of many. The agreement was agreed and ring-fenced even before the shadow executive existed...we don't want to lose all of that work and all the momentum.”

Cllr Tony Alford said he also wanted to see the work which had been started brought to fruition but warned that the chances of a change of mind by the shadow executive was slim: “It might want to change its mind, it could happen, and if it does we will call a strategy committee meeting again, but I believe the chances of that happening are exceptionally low.”