BRIDPORT is fed up with its treatment at the hands of the district council.

Town council leader Charles Wild claims their new "hardline" approach has seen relations between the two authorities plummet.

Speaking at the annual town meeting on Tuesday he accused West Dorset of adopting a policy of "bad business, poor service and plain bad manners".

He said the district council was now trying to operate as a business at the expense of providing public services.

This was clear from their decision to withdraw funding for the town hall toilets and the imposition of overnight parking charges without prior consultation, he said.

These were among a number of moves which had led to tensions between the two authorities, he claimed.

He said their relationship had "undoubtedly been adversely affected in the past year by a series of events".

These had been characterised mainly by: "deficiencies in consultation, first over the town hall toilets and more recently the overnight parking charges - and the failure to notify us about a series of changes to the delegation rules on planning with concerns looming about West Bay and about affordable housing proposals."

Coun Wild added: "There have been widespread rumours of a conscious decision at the highest level of the district council to run things more like a business than a public service and there is certainly evidence of a more hardline approach.

"But these lapses are surely bad business as well as poor service, bad public relations and plain bad manners.

"While there may be more work done on our side as well in trying to improve relations I would suggest that in adopting this approach the district council risks going seriously off course and that it may be time for the district council members to start addressing the problem."

West Dorset District Council leader Robert Gould said: "The district council wants to maintain a good working relationship with town and parish councils across West Dorset. Chief executive David Clarke and myself would be very happy to meet with Bridport town councillors to discuss their concerns. This offer will be confirmed in writing.

"Addressing just one area of concern highlighted - West Bay - an enormous amount of public consultation has taken place on the proposed regeneration plans.

"This includes the public helping to select the architect for the scheme.

"As promised, a further round of consultation takes place this month before any decisions or planning applications are made.

"Detailed plans will be discussed by town councillors on Wednesday, May 11, and will be on display in the Salt House from May 16-20 for the public to see.

"I hope everyone will feel encouraged to take this opportunity to comment on them.

"This project will have a huge impact on West Bay and represents a significant investment of public money so we are taking a lot of care to get a worthwhile result."