DORCHESTER: Lib Dems accused of ‘political football’ in council office row

The meeting to discuss the controversial £15milllion Charles Street development was scheduled for next week by West Dorset Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate Dr Sue Farrant. 

Dr Farrant has since branded West Dorset County Council leader Robert Gould and Oliver Letwin, MP for West Dorset, “terribly arrogant” after they both rejected an invitation to hear the public’s concerns.

In an open letter, MP Letwin said: “I have to say that I am somewhat saddened by the fact that you [Dr Farrant] appear to have decided in your recent literature and press releases to politicise the question of the new council offices.

“As you will be aware, the aim of West Dorset District Council is to reduce costs for the council tax-payer by making this move. I would have thought that this is an aim you would share.

“I think that this question of fact should not be turned into a political football.”

WDDC took the decision to build new offices last year in an attempt to save taxpayers up to £160,000 a year through cost cuttings on huge utility bills, cleaning and maintenance at current offices Stratton House.

A two and a half year consultation has been held by WDDC, with 1,000 people attending a two-day exhibition and 620 people viewing a you-tube video of the proposals.

However, Dr Farrant has called the public meeting after receiving hundreds of complaints by residents they had not had a fair opportunity to voice their opinion.

Dr Farrant said she would be asking all members of WDDC to attend the meeting but “failed to understand” why the leader would not attend.

“I’m very disappointed that Robert Gould will not take the opportunity to attend this meeting to make the case,” she said.

“It’s not starting up a confrontation, it’s a genuine attempt to give the leaders a platform to make a case.

“It’s terrible arrogance by them to say we know what is best for the people of West Dorset, they don’t want to ask them and don’t want to hear them.

“It beggars belief that they won’t interact with people who have to foot the bill.

“What the public has never been asked is whether they think it’s a good idea if the council was to build itself new offices. The issue put to the public has only ever been ‘we are building new offices, do you want them in the town Centre or not’.” 

Councillor Gould said in a letter to Dr Farrant he would not be attending the meeting as he regretted her attempt to politicise the issue in the run up to a general election.

“The debate about whether the district council should continue to invest taxpayer’s money in our current large and inefficient offices or move to a new site was taken at council meetings attended by councillors from all parties,” he said.

“The programme of keeping West Dorset residents informed will continue in the coming weeks and months.”

The public meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, March 24th at 6.30pm at the United Church, South Street, Dorchester.

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