A GROUP appealing to change the system of local government in west Dorset has launched a campaign to fight a referendum - after claiming appeals to the council to voluntarily adopt a new structure were ignored.

Public First will launch its referendum campaign in Bridport next week ahead of voters going to the polls on May 5 to decide whether West Dorset District Council should revert back to a committee style of government or carry on operating with a cabinet.

The group triggered the referendum after submitting a petition which gained the backing of more than five per cent of the electorate. Campaigners had hoped the council would voluntarily revert back to the committee system, but the referendum will go ahead.

Public First chairman Clive Stafford Smith, said: "It's a great shame that West Dorset District Council has not seen fit to save the £95,000 referendum costs.

"It leaves the perception that they want to cling onto the cabinet system where seven people get to have all the real power, come hell or high water.

"The first launch meeting will be in Bridport on Thursday, February 11. We have styled it 'how well does West Dorset District Council serve Bridport?' Even if the council is uninterested in the public's view, we want to hear it.

The Bridport launch event will take place at 7pm.

Cllr Anthony Alford, Leader of West Dorset District Council, said: “The costs are regrettable, but we have received a petition signed by over 6,000 people and under the law this has triggered a referendum which requires us to give the rest of the 80,000 electorate the democratic right to decide if they want the council to have different committee structures.

“The petition has been signed by 7.5 per cent of the electorate and asks us to hold a referendum on whether to change, not that we should do it.

"This cannot be regarded as a democratic mandate for change. Only a referendum where the remaining 92.5 per cent of residents also have a chance to vote could provide this. To proceed in any other way would be undemocratic. We are doing all we can to limit costs and will save about £50,000 by holding the vote at the same time as the Police and Crime Commissioner elections.”

John Grantham, secretary of Public First, said: “A key element of our plan is to harness the many requests from the public throughout west Dorset to themselves participate in the campaign.

"We’re looking to implement a programme where people ‘adopt a street’ across west Dorset to leaflet to and help answer the public’s questions and provoke a true democratic debate before the referendum on May 5.”