A claim that some Dorset residents had money taken from their bank account by Dorset Council a week earlier than usual – with no formal notification, is to be investigated.

Sherborne councillor Matt Hall says the situation caused upset to one of his residents who has to balance her finances very carefully.

He told the council’s annual meeting that payment for a council parking permit was taken a week early, with no formal notification.

Portfolio holder Cllr Ray Bryan said he would investigate but told the meeting that reminders were sent out in plenty of time by email and that people paying for permits had to opt in to the automatic payment system for the council to get its money.

He asked Cllr Hall, who was attending his last meeting before becoming a councillor in Devon, to forward the details of the complaint to allow officers to investigate fully.