CONSERVATIVES have been briefing that the Lib Dems could lose their slender control of Dorset Council – after what one described as a 'weekend wobble' by Charminster councillor David Taylor.

Several Conservatives had contacted the media to say that the political balance was about to change – only to discover on Tuesday that Lib Dem Charminster St Marys councillor Mr Taylor is to stay with the party.

Had he, or any other Lib Dem, resigned from the group it would have brought the party's majority down to a wafer-thin margin.

As it stands the 82-seat council has 41 Lib Dems, 29 Conservatives, 4 Green Party, 4 Independent for Dorset and 2 Labour – with two vacancies, in Bridport and in St Leonards and St Ives, the first previously held by the Lib Dems, the other by the Conservatives.

The vacancies follow the deaths of Cllr David Bolwell and Cllr Barry Goringe with an election due on May 21st for Cllr Bolwell's former Bridport seat and no date yet announced for the east Dorset seat held by Cllr Goringe.

In a statement on Tuesday Cllr David Taylor, who also sits on Dorchester Town Council and has previously served as town Mayor, said: "I briefly indicated an intention to resign from the Liberal Democrat party, but after taking time to reflect I decided not to proceed. I remain a member of the party and fully committed to my role in the administration and to serving local residents."

In a social media post Cllr Taylor thanked Wimborne councillor, Shane Bartlett, who is the porfolio holder for planning and a Cabinet member, for helping him to make up his mind about staying with the party.