A REFERENDUM on the future of governance at West Dorset District Council is set to cost the authority an estimated £95,000, councillors have been told.

Campaigners from the Public First group triggered the referendum after attracting more than 6,000 signatures calling for the vote to consider introducing a committee system as opposed to the existing cabinet style system.

At a full meeting of the council, leader Anthony Alford – prompted by a question from Public First’s John Grantham – confirmed that the referendum would be held alongside the vote for the county’s Police and Crime Commissioner on May 5.

The leader confirmed this will reduce original estimates of the cost of the referendum, which had stated it could cost more than £140,000.

Cllr Alford said: “The referendum will now take place on the same day as the Police and Crime Commissioner election and this will reduced what would otherwise have nee the cost of the referendum.

“We now estimate the cost of holding the referendum will be approximately £95,000.”

Mr Grantham had also asked that the council consider removing the cost of the referendum completely by taking the initiative and voluntarily introducing the committee system, following the lead of Canterbury City Council which took such action when faced with similar public support for a change of governance.

Cllr Alford did not say that the council would voluntarily change to a committee system and the referendum would go ahead.