COUNCILLORS in west Dorset have voted for the system of governance that could replace the existing cabinet-style structure following a referendum in May.

A report put forward to West Dorset District Council at a full council meeting today presented two options for potential new structures.

The option that was ultimately voted for by councillors would see the council’s single party Executive Committee replaced by a new Strategy Committee, with seats allocated based on political proportionality.

The existing scrutiny system would remain in place.

An alternative option was also presented in the report, which would have seen the Executive Committee, Efficiency Scrutiny Committee and Policy Scrutiny Committee replaced by three new service committees: the Strategy Committee, the Community Committee and the Environment Committee.

The chosen option would maintain the existing process for electing the Leader of the Council, whereas option two would have seen the chairman of the Strategy Committee act as Leader.

Members of the Liberal Democrat group on the council favoured selecting the second option as it represented a greater shift away from the current executive committee system.

Cllr Stella Jones, leader of the group, said: “If members of the public vote for change, they will expect a change.”

Cllr Ros Kayes added: “You cannot put a price on democracy.

“We are here not only to make decisions, but to discuss them so that individual councillors have a voice.

“I entirely agree that, if we go for option one, it is more of the same.”

Cllr Ronald Coatsworth, of the Conservative group, acknowledged flaws in the current structure whilst supporting option one.

He said: “I think the system we have is good, but it needs a little more refining and a few more meetings in which normal councillors are consulted.”

The referendum on WDDC’s structure, which will take place alongside the Police and Crime Commissioner elections on May 5, was triggered following a petition by campaign group Public First that secured thousands of signatures.

If the results of the referendum indicate a desire for change, the council will be required to put into place the new structure from the date of their annual meeting in May 2017.

Public First will launch its referendum campaign at a public meeting tonight (Thursday, February 11) at the Electric Palace in Bridport at 7pm.