REAR Admiral Gwyn Pritchard fired a broadside as he bowed out as West Dorset District Council leader last week.

The Bridport South and Bothenhampton ward member hit out at colleagues for agreeing to a £1.1 million package of cuts.

Coun Pritchard, 79, stood down at the authority's annual meeting in Dorchester - three years after becoming the council's first leader.

He told members it was "the right time to go".

His decision came on the day the authority backed a package of £1.1 million worth of savings to be made over the next 12 months.

That comes after councillors, many Conservative colleagues of Coun Pritchard, agreed earlier this year to limit its share of the council tax bill to an eight per cent rise.

And in a veiled swipe at colleagues who agreed to the cuts, Coun Pritchard said he hoped fellow councillors had learned lessons from West Dorset's recent cost-cutting exercise.

He disputed claims that many taxpayers felt they were not getting good value for money from the council.

And the former leader also hit out at the way members carried out the last minute U-turn after originally agreeing to impose a higher precept.

Coun Pritchard said the decision had forced officers and staff into a sudden "damage limitation exercise".

"There will always be those people who blindly pursue cost cutting as a standard way forward," he said.

"But I do sincerely hope lessons are learnt over this exercise and put to good use in future years."

He told councillors an average council tax charge of £2 per week per household represented "good value for money".

He said a district council survey sent to 52,000 households across West Dorset had revealed just a handful against the planned precept before the cut earlier this year.

"That does not represent a hostile audience," he said.

He said although he is stepping down as leader he still intends to carry on his duties as a councillor.

West Dorset chairman Mary Penfold said Coun Pritchard had served the people of West Dorset with "skills of vision".

Liberal Democrat councillor Stephen Friar also praised Coun Pritchard for his cross-political party work.

"The appointment of the Rear Admiral as leader was the best thing that has ever happened to this council," he said.

"Despite being a loyal and committed party political man, he consistently put the will of the people of West Dorset first."

Robert Gould, who represents the Queen Thorne district, was elected the new leader.

He said: "It is a great honour and privilege. People are looking for good value from the council and we will keep that at the forefront of our minds."

Coun Gould is a member of the Conservative group and was elected to the district council in 2003.

Mary Penfold was voted chairman for a seventh term and Bradpole ward member Ron Coatsworth was re-elected vice-chairman.

Councillors were also appointed to the council's executive and other committees.

Executive committee: chairman Robert Gould, vice-chairman Terry Farmer, members - Anthony Alford, Nicki Barker, Stephen Friar, Ian Gillespie, Trevor Jones, David Newson, Alan Thacker. Environment overview and scrutiny committee: chairman Sarah East, vice-chairman Mark Roberts. Community development overview and scrutiny committee: chairman Ken Meech, vice-chairman Vera Ivory. Development control west committee: chairman Owen Lovell, vice-chairman Ken Meech.