Quirks over Weymouth ward boundaries seem set to rumble on – with the Dorset Council leader Spencer Flower acknowledging some “don’t quite work” and may need future changes.

Several attempts were made at the annual Dorset Council meeting to change the recommendations from a Dorset Council Community Governance Review.

One proposal, from Weymouth councillor Cllr Ryan Hope, asked for another eight-week consultation for the area, based on Weymouth Town Council proposals – but was voted down.

He said there had been inconsistencies in the review and the council should look again, taking ‘serious notes’ of the views from local communities.

After a lengthy debate Littlemoor and Preston councillor Louie O’Leary won support for an amendment which will take the new 500-home development north of Littlemoor Road and the area around Nightingale Drive out of the group parishes of Winterborne Farringdon and into the Upwey and Broadwey ward along with a move into the same ward for Nottington.

Speaking after the meeting Cllr O’Leary said he was “pleased and relieved” that his changes had won support with his proposal taking into account the views of local people.

“Ultimately the aim is for that area north of Littlemoor Road to be its own community with its own ward  in the future,” he said.

“I am very humbled that my amendment passed which allows for a plan that has good electoral representation while still cutting the number of councillors, good governance, and also allows communities to grow separately and naturally as opposed to forcing then together.

"My residents are extremely pleased with the result. Littlemoor held firm and it reminded me of David and Goliath. My plan is a sensible compromise that builds towards the future,” he said.

Weymouth councillors described current boundary arrangements as a ‘nonsense’ with some streets being lumped in with areas they had no connection with and little in common.

Cllr Gill Taylor said her home was in Littlesea while her garden was in Chickerell because of anomalies in the way areas had been divided in the past.

Much of the boundary controversy centres around areas which Weymouth Town Council believes should not be in Chickerell, the boundary around Littlemoor and some areas in Upwey and Broadway.

The dispute has led Chickerell councillor Jean Dunseith to accuse Weymouth Town Council of an attempted “land grab” with their counter proposals to those in the Review.

She said the changes Weymouth councillors wanted were: “without merit , last minute and a little bit desperate” largely amounting to the suggestions which had already been previously rejected.

“You don’t have the agreement of the residents of Chickerell, it’s not up for grabs, we’re not a pick and mix,” she said.

Weymouth town council leader Cllr David Harris told the Dorset Council meeting that electoral wards should reflect the communities that people live in – but had not been logical or sensible in and around the town for years.

The meeting heard that tensions remain over parts of Wyke Regis, Littlesea and the Cobham Drive area which, it was claimed, all looked to Weymouth, rather than anywhere else.

Another change agreed by the Dorset Council meeting was an amendment from Portland councillor Susan Cocking to keep the boundary where it is on the old Ferry Bridge (its current position) rather than move it, as suggested in the Review, some 100m to the south.

Portland Town Council objected to this proposal setting out concerns that any boundary changes could compromise future development opportunities by splitting the administrative area of the Fleet entrance between two town councils.

Cllr Flower told the meeting that it had been impossible to please everybody with the changes – but said the guidance had been adhered to and had been fair to all, although some residents might not like the outcomes.

The final recommendations for new governance arrangements will be the subject of a Reorganisation Order that will take effect on 1 April 2024.