Bournemouth, Political, Poole | Posted on November 26th, 2024 | return to news
Could parish and town councils be established for Bournemouth and Poole?
If residents are in favour, town and parish councils could be established across the Bournemouth and Poole conurbation.
People in the Dorset Council area have town and parish councils, but residents in Bournemouth and Poole do not have them – at present.
However, this could all change.
BCP Council is asking neighbourhood groups, community organisations and individuals for their views on the establishment of such bodies in their areas.
Several areas have informally expressed an interest in arrangements similar to those already existing in Christchurch – the whole of which is ‘parished.’ Christchurch Town Council and Highcliffe and Walkford Parish Council were set up in 2019, while Hurn and Burton and Winkton Parish Councils are long established. The only parished area in the rest of the conurbation is Throop and Holdenhurst which was formed in 2021.
Elected parish and town councils can make decisions about their own communities, invest in facilities, take charge of local assets such as recreation grounds, play parks and community buildings and organise events and festivals. They must also be consulted over planning issues and can create their own neighbourhood plans.
However, all the major services including adult social care and health, children’s services, waste collection and highways would continue to be provided across the conurbation by BCP Council.
BCP Council Leader Cllr Millie Earl said: “This is an exciting opportunity for the various communities to discuss what would work best for their area and put their suggestions to us.
“We are not making any proposals ourselves. We are inviting existing parish and town councils, residents’ groups, community associations, neighbourhood organisations and individual residents to put forward their suggestions for their area.
“If any community groups are holding meetings to discuss possible proposals and would like a council officer to come along to explain more about the process, please just let us know.
“Email us at cgr@bcpcouncil.gov.uk, and let us know the date, location and time. Based on the suggestions that are put forward, we will put together an overall proposal for the council area, and this will then be open for a further consultation, to see what support there is.”
Deputy Leader Cllr Mike Cox said: “This does mean that local communities can have more say over where they live, something that already works extremely well across the former borough of Christchurch, however it’s important to note that this is not about re-establishing separate principal local authorities in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole such as existed before 2019.”
Elections for new town and parish councils would take place in May 2026 with an initial five-year term.
Public meetings explaining the review process have already started with another meeting taking place:
- Wednesday 27 November, 6.30-8.30pm, Royal Hants, Civic Centre, Bourne Avenue, Bournemouth, BH2 6DY
Further public meetings, including online events, are planned for December.
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