COUNCILLORS in West Dorset have thrown their weight behind a national initiative to end tax dodging.

A motion to join the call by ActionAid’s Towns Against Tax Dodging campaign was supported by a majority of councillors at a full council meeting at South Walks House in Dorchester.

The motion was propose by Cllr Caroline Payne, who said she had been asked to speak out by several people resident in her Beaminster ward.

She added: “The estimates of corporate tax avoidance alone to the UK government vary between £4billion and £12billion per year.

“Tax dodging is a global issue but many of the companies have a presence in our local towns.”

But Cllr Tony Alford spoke out against the motion, saying the government is already doing enough to tackle the issue.

He said: “I have considered the matter with great care and it’s still my view that this is a proposal we should not support.

“I think there is a presumption in this notice of motion that local authorities would suddenly be rather more wealthy in terms of government grants and I do not believe that is the case.”

He added: “It’s the government that gets things like this done.”

But other councillors hit back, saying the issue was a ‘matter of principle’.

Cllr Tim Harries said: “The government is doing its best to get things moving in the right direction, but what we are saying with this motion is that tax dodging is a bad thing.

“We are not saying we are going to win extra funding – it’s a matter of principle.”

Cllr Alistair Chisholm said he believed councillors should support the motion because it would be backed by the ‘vast majority’ of people in West Dorset.

And Cllr Robin Potter added: “I understand what Cllr Alford is saying but let’s encourage the government in what they are doing.”

Cllr Payne responded: “I have been heartened by the responses around me. My conclusion is that we want to support the work that the government is doing and by supporting this motion, that is what will be doing, as well as helping to add to the momentum and keep this issue at the forefront of people’s minds.”