THE Borough has just elected eight new councillors which gives it an opportunity for a fresh start.

The present council has 14 Conservative, 11 Labour, eight Lib Dem and three Independent councillors who will be presiding over us for the next two years with no changes.

We could have two years of party bickering and no governance, or we could unite together to ensure we get the best possible return over the immense publicity Weymouth and Portland will be receiving from now until September.

The first point for them to remember is that they are elected to govern Weymouth and Portland and decisions should be taken on what is best for the borough as a whole.

They need to make united strategic decisions that gives the newly restructured officers a clear direction of travel and hence to which everyone can be held accountable.

There may be differences of opinions but these should not be purely along party lines, but through strengths of arguments.

I hope the leaders of the three main parties are big enough to put the political bickering behind them and try together to regain the electorate’s trust in local government.

Let us take an example that may not work but should be the sort of thing they should be considering.

Condor has temporarily moved from Weymouth. Should it come back to Weymouth or should we be talking to Condor and Portland Port for it to transfer to there – still part of the borough?

The port is increasing its cruise liner trade, which requires space for coaches, which could presumably be used by cars.

The £7m quoted for the economy would be returned.

If we developed the space behind the Pavilion could we attach a new building to the Ocean Room, which houses a new indoor family entertainment centre (something we are missing as a major resort).

Maybe there could be a Jamie Oliver restaurant to attract the all year round trade which Padstow benefits from now it has its reputation for food.

This would be paid for by allowing 25 luxury flats to be included (not 250) and we would create a complex we can all be proud of, which residents and tourists alike would use, and which would bring the council the same returns as Condor.

Condor was operating a prime area which was used for queuing cars two hours a day and a tatty building. Can we do better?

This idea may not be feasible, but we should be considering it and where we want to go as a borough – looking at the big picture.

The negotiations between the party leaders in the next few weeks will make or break our borough. Are they big enough to take the right decisions?

David Harris Address supplied