Christchurch Borough Council proceeds to High Court

The council, whose policy is to oppose local government reorganisation, made the application for a judicial review in May after seeking legal advice.

Christchurch Borough Council leader, Cllr David Flagg, said, “Christchurch Borough Council firmly believes the regulations that have passed through Parliament approving the creation of two new unitary councils in Dorset are ultra vires. Based on the local poll we believe the majority of our residents remain opposed to local government reorganisation in Dorset and being granted permission to have our Judicial Review application heard in the High Court demonstrates that we have an arguable case.

“Whilst the Government might believe that our case is absurd that it is clearly not the view of the judge and we believe we have a strong legal argument. The Council has been thorough and meticulous in its approach and being granted permission sends a strong message that the case is wholly with merit. I am pleased that we are able to continue to challenge the abolition of Christchurch Borough Council in line with the wishes of those we were elected to represent and we will continue to do so.”

The Honourable Mrs Justice Lambert has ordered that the case will be expedited and heard in the High Court as soon as possible by 27 July.
Christchurch Borough Council officers will now work with its legal advisors preparing the case for a substantive hearing. It has set aside £200,000 for the Judicial Review. The funding will come from unallocated reserves.

Meanwhile the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole shadow authority and shadow executive committee have already been established as part of local government reorganisation following the secretary of state’s approval of the merger earlier this year. Shadow Dorset Council and its executive committee have also been formed.