Local democracy should be open and seen to be done according to the law – but for some that was not the case at the first Dorset Council meeting.

Once seats set aside for the public were full at the first Dorset Council meeting at South Walks House those still wanting to get in were turned away. Some were told it was because of fire regulations or simply a lack of space.

A council news release described the meeting as “packed full” and went on to say “82 newly elected councillors, senior officers and a full public gallery filled the committee suite at South Walks House to debate the business of the new council.”

The lack of space later led to an apology from new council chair Pauline Batstone who has asked councillors for their feedback on the suitability and layout of the South Walks House committee room as a venue.

Liberal Democrat leader Nick Ireland says the situation did not give a good impression: “I am extremely concerned that only a very small representation from the three groups who were protesting outside of today’s inaugural meeting of Dorset Council were allowed into the committee suite.

"We have a purpose designed debating chamber across town at County Hall with seats sufficient for the 82 councillors and more than enough room for the members of the public who wished to engage today in the democratic process and were unable to do so due to the limited capacity at South Walks House. I am aware that many of my fellow councillors regard South Walks as unsuitable for this purpose and I will be feeding back the views of the Liberal Democrat Group to the Chairman of Dorset Council, Cllr Pauline Batstone.”

Green Party leader Clare Sutton said those who came to plead with councillors to take action over climate change did get into the meeting but were told that once the 30 seats set aside were taken nobody else would be admitted.

“It is a great shame that so many people who took the trouble to come to South Walks House to make this very important stand were excluded from the debate. The fact that councillors eventually agreed to declare a Climate Emergency right now rather than waiting until the July meeting was hugely influenced by their actions, and the passion and eloquence of those who were able to gain access. In the interests of healthy and open local democracy, this must not happen again.”

Labour leader Paul Kimber said he was unaware people were not able to get in but had he been would have taken action to resolve the situation.

Some supporters of both the Budmouth group and Dorchester STAND went away after being told there was no more room for them. They estimate the numbers at between 10 and 15.

Said Kate Hebditch from STAND: “ We were told by one of the councillors that the room was already full and no one else was going to be able to get in due to fire regulations/ room capacity, otherwise some of the STAND group would have gone into the meeting,” she said.

There was also concern from some about the layout of the room – making it difficult to see who was speaking, or who wanted to speak, especially if they failed to stand. From some seats it would have meant other councillors having to move had someone wanted to leave the room during the meeting. The hand-held voting device which doubles as a microphone also caused problems for some of the 77 councillors who attended the meeting.