Christchurch Borough Council have had their High Court challenge over Local Government Reorganisation refused this morning.
Last week a team of representatives from the council travelled to the High Court in London for the judicial review application.
The council claimed that the Secretary of State had acted beyond his powers in passing the legislation to allow reorganisation to go ahead.
Recognising the importance of reaching a decision relatively quickly, the judge announced his verdict at 10am on Tuesday 7 August.
Cllr David Flagg, Leader of the Council, Christchurch Borough Council, said: “We are disappointed by today’s judgement. We have been advised that a number of points set out in the Judgement are still arguable in law and therefore we will be responding to the Judge on these.”
“Depending on his response we will consider whether an appeal to the Court of Appeal would be appropriate or not.”
A statement issued on behalf of Dorset’s other eight councils said: “We are delighted but unsurprised by today’s judgement.
“A huge amount of work has already been undertaken, and we are making excellent progress towards creating the two new councils.
“Christchurch Borough councillors and their officers have always been welcome at the various meetings that have taken place, working to form the two new councils. We respect the choice of Christchurch Borough Council to challenge the Secretary of State’s decision, through a judicial review on a procedural point of law. In doing so, we note that the validity of the case for creating two new councils was not the basis for this judicial review challenge.”
“Christchurch Borough Council has spent a very significant amount of council tax payers’ money in pursuing this legal action. The High Court has rejected that challenge and we hope that all Christchurch Borough Councillors will now accept that judgement, and fully take part in planning for and making decisions about the new council. We are optimistic this matter is now behind us, and we can look forward to working together to create the best new local councils we can, to protect public services as much as possible, and to secure future growth and prosperity for our areas.”
Article originally appeared on Bournemouth Echo
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