POOLE residents will face "massive council tax increases" if the Dorset councils merger plans go ahead, Liberal Democrats have warned.

As a public consultation gets underway on the future for councils in Dorset, Poole Lib Dem group has called for a referendum for Poole residents.

They currently pay the lowest rates of council tax, so will see hikes of "hundreds of pounds" as their tax is brought into line with their neighbours, should the South East Dorset authorities be merged.

Liberal Democrat Group Leader, Cllr David Brown said: “This would mean that Poole council tax payers would be expected to suffer the maximum allowable increase in Council Tax of 3.99% per year for up to 20 years until our charges had been hiked enough to match our neighbours.

"It cannot be right that in order to make our towns run more efficiently, Council tax payers will be expected to pay hundreds of pounds extra in tax."

Cllr Brown said the Poole Lib Dem group of six councillors was calling for a "democratic referendum of the people of Poole when any proposals have been drawn up so that the voice of the people of Poole can be heard."

It is estimated that it will cost a one-off £25million to make the change to two unitary authorities should it go ahead.

Cllr Brown argued councils could find "less costly ways" to save money, by integrating services, sharing management, cutting out duplication and reducing the number of councillors."

"These alternative options could find much of the necessary savings but without Poole taxpayers being charged the maximum Council tax increase for years to come, and without Poole having to give up it’s 750 years of sovereignty as a historic borough," he added.

Leader of Poole Council Janet Walton told the Echo an independent financial assessment found retaining all nine councils would result in a budget deficit across the county of £30.4million by 2025 leading to drastic service changes and cuts.

She added: "The proposals for change set out in the public consultation could generate £106 million of savings, which could allow Dorset’s councils to protect vital frontline services, reduce costs and give better value for money to local taxpayers."

She said the changes did not mean Poole "losing its sovereignty," adding: "It is vital we retain the historical importance of Poole but our priority is maintaining good services to our residents, which a new local authority would allow us to do.

“We know the level of council tax is important to our residents. Our ambition is for households to pay the minimum council tax necessary to fund local services.

"No decisions have been made but should Government decide to retain the current local government structure in Dorset, Poole residents could still see their council tax increase by 3.99% in future years. However, due to cuts in funding we would not be able to deliver our priorities and maintain the level of service we wish to provide.

She encouraged people to have their say in the consultation by visiting reshapingyourcouncils.uk or attending one of the consultation roadshows taking place across the county.