ALL 42 Borough of Poole councillors should retain their seats, says the councils recommendation to the Boundary Commission.

And while Conservatives members are delighted with the outcome of the extraordinary council meeting, Liberal Democrats will be making their own representations to the Local Government commission.

Two options were put to members, to stay as they are with 42 councillors representing 16 wards, or to reduce the number by four, giving a total of 38. The hung council, with no overall control, has 20 Conservatives, 18 liberal Democrats and four Poole People members.

The review is being carried out because there is an electoral imbalance in six wards, with more than a 10 per cent variation. Poole People members voted with Lib Dems but were outvoted 19 to 16 by Conservatives.

Council leader, Cllr Elaine Atkinson said: “In the technological age that we live in, members receive hundreds of emails every week, regarding both ward issues and wider Poole matters.

“Residents expect an immediate response and it is vital that we continue to support our constituents to the best of our abilities. Usually when a local authority is asked by central government to take on more responsibility such as public health member numbers would increase but as this is not happening, I feel that we cannot afford to lose any members from Borough of Poole.

“Our ability to best serve our residents would be compromised with a reduction in councillor numbers.”

Cllr Mike Brooke, leader of the Lib Dems said: “Committee structures could be changed to address policy rather than simply deal with report after report that is for information only - what a waste of committee time.

“We also have to look at closer working with partnerships and this can be done without adding to our burden.” He said they would make a submission about council numbers and proposals for ward boundary changes.

Poole People leader Cllr Mark Howell said:“We should be spending as much time in our communities as possible. Too much time is wasted in council meetings. Councillors need to be released from bureaucracy so they can be more proactive and effective.”