Published on Tuesday 23 July 2024
Cllr Millie Earl has been elected to lead Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council following tonight’s Council meeting.
Cllr Earl now heads the Three Towns Alliance administration after previous Leader Cllr Vikki Slade relinquished the role after being elected as Member of Parliament for Mid Dorset and North Poole in the General Election on 4 July.
The Three Town Alliance is formed from the Liberal Democrats (28 councillors), Christchurch Independents (eight councillors), Poole People Party (five councillors) and The Bournemouth Independent Group (three councillors).
Cllr Earl, who represents the Newtown and Heatherlands ward, previously held the role of Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Connected Communities.
On being elected Leader, Cllr Earl said: "I am so proud to have been chosen to lead Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council.
“The enormity of this role is not lost on me. There is opportunity ahead for this council but there are also challenges. I am proud to be a member of the Three Towns Alliance that recognises the individuality and identity of each town and ensures that we harness the distinctiveness of our communities.
“We have some key projects in the pipeline to deliver that positive change – the ward improvement fund, town centre improvement fund, the resident’s card and a governance review to put decision making back into the hands of local communities so that they can thrive.
“I, along with my Cabinet colleagues, remain committed to our new shared vision; where sound decision making puts people, communities, place and environment at the heart of what we do.”
Council Leader Earl also announced changes that see her Cabinet now made up of ten Cabinet Members and three Lead Members.
Cllr Mike Cox now becomes Deputy Leader of BCP Council.
The new Cabinet is as follows:
Cllr Millie Earl, Leader
Cllr Mike Cox, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Finance
Cllr David Brown, Portfolio Holder for Health and Wellbeing
Cllr Richard Burton, Portfolio Holder for Children, Young People, Education and Skills
Cllr Andy Hadley, Portfolio Holder for Climate Response, Environment and Energy
Cllr Jeff Hanna, Portfolio Holder for Transformation, Resources and Governance
Cllr Andy Martin, Portfolio Holder for Customer, Communications and Culture
Cllr Kieron Wilson, Portfolio Holder for Housing and Regulatory Services
The two new members of Cabinet are:
Cllr Richard Herrett, Portfolio Holder for Destination, Leisure and Commercial Operations
Cllr Sandra Moore, Portfolio Holder for Communities and Partnerships
The Lead Members are:
Cllr Margaret Phipps, Lead Member for Local Plan Delivery
Cllr Mark Howell, Lead Member for Regeneration Projects
Cllr Simon McCormack, Lead Member for Homelessness and Cost of Living
Cllr Earl also announced that a number of ‘Member Champions’ will also champion specific issues they are passionate about, and which address key issues in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole and meet the council’s corporate aims.
Cllr Vikki Slade will remain as the Councillor for the Broadstone Ward.
Speaking before Cllr Earl was elected, Cllr Slade said: “I will always remain extraordinarily proud to have been elected Leader of BCP Council on two occasions, initially when the council was first formed and then again over the last year and a half.
“Throughout my time as Leader of BCP Council I have been dedicated to doing the best for the residents, visitors and businesses of this hugely special place.
“My journey from new council Leader to MP has had Millie by my side throughout.
“She is insightful, hardworking, thoughtful and inclusive. Millie knows how to get the best out of people, but also to stand her ground on the things she believes in, and I can think of no better candidate to take BCP forward.”