COUNCILLORS have decided they will not change the name of Weymouth Town Council.

A proposal was put forward by Honorary Alderman Peter Rendall, a former Weymouth and Portland borough councillor, to change the name of Weymouth Town Council to Weymouth and Melcombe Regis Town Council.

Weymouth and Melcombe Regis were originally two separate towns on either side of the River Wey.

According to the Weymouth Museum, the two towns began "squabbling" with each other and a feud was eventually settled by Queen Elizabeth I in 1571 with an act of Parliament forcing the two towns into a union.

Mr Rendall wanted to recognise the history with a re-naming of the town council.

Council staff recommended that the proposal was not approved due to the costs of changing every logo across signs, vehicles and documents.

Cllr Kate Wheller proposed an amendment, suggesting that instead of changing the name of the council, they changed the strapline of the council to say "In the historic borough of Weymouth and Melcombe Regis".

Cllr Kate Wheller, addressing the town council, said: “I would like to propose, rather than seek to change our name, we maintain we are and will be the best town council in the country and that is WTC

“Below that line, the strapline that says, in the ancient borough of Weymouth and Melcombe Regis.

“The addition to our letterhead will ensure that our history is not forgotten and anyone interested can look it up.

“We will demonstrate to those that do care that we are respectful of our history and taxpayers are not burdened with additional expense.

“Just adding that little strapline is my amendment.

“I suggest we don’t pursue the idea of consultation and just have that little strapline so everyone will know we are Weymouth and Melcombe Regis in spirit."

Town Clerk Jane Biscombe said the costs of changing the strapline on letterheads would be minimal

Cllr Hope: "I do sympathise with Hon Alderman and I understand his passion.

"However, I still can't believe that with the struggle of our local residents, we are discussing changing the name of the town council.

"I think there are more pressing issues we should be focusing on.

"For that reason, I cannot support it."

The proposal by Kate Wheller was passed by a vote of 17 to four.