Published on Wednesday 26 February 2025
Residents of Bournemouth and Poole could soon be able to have greater influence on local issues, if recommendations for introducing parish, town and community councils across the conurbation are agreed.
This follows a review of the results of a public survey which asked residents to put forward their suggestions for how they wanted their communities to be represented.
In October 2024, following government guidance, which recommends a review every ten to 15 years of parish, town and community councils (collectively referred to as parish councils), BCP Council invited proposals from the community.
These have now been reviewed by a cross-party group of councillors, and their recommendations set out in a report to the council’s Cabinet, for its meeting on 5 March.
The main recommendations are for new parish councils for each of Broadstone, Redhill and Northbourne, Boscombe and Pokesdown, and Southbourne, with the remainder of the former Poole Council area having a town council, and the remainder of the former Bournemouth Council area also having a town council.
Some alternative proposals were not supported by the working group, either as having insufficient evidence of local support or potentially splitting communities.
Commenting on the current recommendations, BCP Council Leader, Cllr Millie Earl, said:
“I am really grateful to everyone who responded to the invitation for proposals and thank the working group for their work in considering the expressions of interests from residents and community groups in parish and town councils.
“It is too soon to say what the eventual outcome will be, but I am pleased that the current recommendations provide for everyone to have the opportunity to be part of a parish council.”
“Parish councils allow local people to have a greater say in what happens in their area, and while BCP Council will continue to provide all of our core services, we would work hand in hand with any new parish councils that are created.”
“I very much look forward to the continuing discussions and consultation as this review takes place, and would encourage everyone to take the opportunity to have their say.”
Parish councils typically focus on local priorities and activities such as managing parks, car parks, community centres, cemeteries and public conveniences. Other local amenities, which they can be involved with can include Christmas decorations, street furniture, litter bins, seating, bus shelters, and community events and entertainment.
They also have a right to be consulted on planning applications, can draw up neighbourhood plans, can help with crime prevention, and can even promote local tourism.
Parish councils are funded through a small tax contribution, called a precept, decided on by the elected councillors, who themselves are normally unpaid. It can be as low as zero but the average across Dorset is £42.96 annually for a Band D property.
Currently BCP has five parish councils, mainly in the former Christchurch Council area.
These are Christchurch Town Council, Highcliffe and Walkford Parish Council, Burton and Winkton Parish Council, Hurn Parish Council and Throop and Holdenhurst Parish Council.
After considering the report, Cabinet will then pass on its recommendations to the Full Council meeting on 25 March. Following this, the proposals will be available for public consultation, with everyone invited to express their views by 22 June.
All responses will be considered, before a final recommendation is drawn up for a Full Council meeting on 14th October.