Parish councils in and around Bridport could merge to create one council.

Bridport Town Council is proposing three options for the future governance of the town, including a preferred proposal for a merger of four parishes into a single council, as part of Dorset Council's review of parish boundaries.

Councillor Dave Rickard, leader of Bridport Town Council, said: "Since the existing town and parish councils were created in 1974, Bridport and three surrounding parishes have gradually coalesced into a single urban area, and now is the right time to consider whether it is right for them all to remain separately governed.

"Many of the services enjoyed by residents across the area are already provided by Bridport Town Council, but people living in some parts of the town, such as Allington, Bothenhampton and Bradpole, have no say in what is provided and are not asked to contribute to the cost of those services.

"Added to that, the creation of a new unitary Dorset Council and the difficulties that the parish councils face in attracting councillors to stand for election, make local government feel very distant from many residents.

"Our proposals will offer greater democracy and accountability, better public services, fairer funding and a stronger voice for Bridport, without affecting people's local identity."

Key elements of the proposal include:

• A single town council, incorporating most existing parishes of Allington, Bothenhampton and Walditch, Bradpole and Bridport

• Wards within the new council area based on local identity with five wards representing Bradpole, Bothenhampton and Walditch, Bridport Central, Bridport West and Allington and West Bay

• Pymore village becoming part of Symondsbury parish, reflecting its rural setting separate from the urban area

Local people will be elected as ward members to represent their areas, but with in-house organisation and expertise, officers and staff to support problem-solving and projects.

Cllr Dave Rickard added: "Ward committees will more effectively be able to solve problems which, hitherto, had to be passed to another authority to rectify.

"Other advantages could be that local halls and other community assets currently owned by the parish councils come under the town council's established maintenance regime and could benefit from our recent creation of the Bridport Communities Trust, to secure their preservation and maintenance for community benefit."

The council will also look at ways to protect local influence and traditional identity.

Town mayor, Cllr Ian Bark, said: "During my term as mayor - strictly speaking for Bridport parish only - I have been asked to get involved in events and issues that affect all of the surrounding parishes and I get a strong sense of a wider Bridport community, even in areas with their own local identity.

"I think we can be stronger together and hope that people will support the proposals."

Town clerk Will Austin said: "It's not my place to be saying what should and shouldn't happen as a result of the review, but I do have a role in promoting democratic process.

"At the last election in 2019, there were 44 seats up for election across the four parishes, but the current arrangements meant that only 34 seats were filled. That does suggest there is room for improvement.

"I would strongly encourage residents to come to our meeting on September 21 and give their views and ideas to help address this."

Bridport councillors will decide their preferred options, but Dorset Council will determine whether proposed changes meet national guidance and deliver a legal model for governance. Dorset Council's recommendations are expected in December and final outcomes would take effect from the elections in May 2024.

The town council will meet virtually at 7pm on Tuesday, September 21 and joining details can be found here. For those without internet access, a limited number of people will be able to join the town clerk to participate, by prior arrangement only. Call 01308 456722 or email [email protected]

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