Title

LEGAL

Council's legal challenge to Dorset reorganisation to proceed to High Court

Christchurch BC has been given permission to take its case against local government reorganisation in Dorset to the High Court.

Christchurch BC has been given permission to take its case against local government reorganisation in Dorset to the High Court.

The council had previously warned it would take legal action against the unitary plans, arguing a referendum found 84% of its residents were against the proposal.

Christchurch leader, Cllr David Flagg, said: ‘While the Government might believe that our case is absurd that it is clearly not the view of the judge and we believe we have a strong legal argument.

‘The council has been thorough and meticulous in its approach, and being granted permission sends a strong message that the case is wholly with merit.

'I am pleased that we are able to continue to challenge the abolition of Christchurch BC in line with the wishes of those we were elected to represent and we will continue to do so.'

LEGAL

Crossing the capability chasm

By Simon Christian | 20 January 2026

Local government finance leaders are very clear about what they want to focus on, but there is a widening gap between strategic aspiration and operational ba...

LEGAL

Is English devolution in a holding pattern hiatus?

By David Blackman | 20 January 2026

What impact will the delays to the mayoral elections in Greater Essex, Hampshire and the Solent, Norfolk & Suffolk and Sussex & Brighton have on devolution? ...

LEGAL

Forward motion for SEND?

By Rob Powell | 15 January 2026

Local government funding is a huge talking point as the new year kicks into gear, with cumulative SEND deficits being one of the areas strongly in need of he...

LEGAL

Challenging the LGR wisdom

By Heather Jameson | 15 January 2026

As local government faces the next round of reorganisation, Dorset Council chief Catherine Howe challenges the assumption that only county-scale leaders can ...

Popular articles by Laura Sharman