Councillor Update
Following on from last month’s voting at the fi rst full council meeting of the new Bournemouth, Christchurch, Poole (BCP) Council, the new administration has been busy, under Vikki’s leadership, setting up Cabinet, establishing priorities and developing key strategies.
The fi rst two decisions, both confi rmed at the fi rst Cabinet meeting on 12th June, demonstrate that the new Council is listening to residents across the area.
In the build-up to the local elections, Vikki and I campaigned on a promise to review, and where appropriate, re-open some of the toilets that had been closed under the previous administration. We are pleased that our promise will now be fulfi lled. A portion of unspent money from last year’s budget has been made available for the refurbishment and re-opening of a number of toilets in Poole.
One of the biggest issues raised on the doorstep was the decision by the previous administration to increase Poole’s Council Tax by the maximum allowed by Government every year for seven years, until it reached the same level as Christchurch’s Council Tax. This harmonisation process was seen as unfair by both Poole residents and Christchurch residents, but for different reasons. For Poole residents it was having to face continued increases with no improvements to services, while for Christchurch residents it was paying a higher rate than anywhere else for essentially the same level of service. While there is no perfect solution to Council Tax harmonisation, the new Council, under the Unity Alliance’s administration, has agreed that harmonisation will be achieved over the next two fi nancial years, subject to no surprises from Government. While Poole and Bournemouth residents will still see increases in Council Tax, the level at which harmonisation will be achieved will be signifi cantly lower than in the previous model. This is because Christchurch residents will see a decrease in their Council Tax. At the same time it is proposed to bring services in line more quickly, so that everyone receives the same.
The fi rst Overview and Scrutiny Board meeting 12
took place on Monday 10th June. Following good practice, the Chair Person was appointed from amongst the opposition members who, in this instance, also have the majority. While it is right decisions should be carefully scrutinised, best practice suggests that the role of scrutiny members is to be critical and challenging but at the same time supportive, offering advice and positive recommendations. Instead, opposition members launched a co-ordinated attack on the Portfolio Holder for Finance in an attempt to discredit him and undermine the processes behind the decision to re-open some of the toilets. As a member of this committee it was an experience I would sooner forget, as would the Portfolio Holder. Certainly there will be more battles ahead, but one unintended consequence has been the strengthening of the Unity Alliance and the determination of its members to listen to and respond to the concerns of residents in an open and transparent way.
Meanwhile in Broadstone, life continues. We have reported the recent fl ooding in the Broadway and York Road, though several drains still seem to be blocked. We have had further meetings with offi cers about Dunyeats Road and have discussed some of the key issues raised by residents. As a result some changes to the scheme have been made. It is still on course to be completed by the end of the summer holiday period. Concerns over various planning applications, especially those relating to fl ats in Upton Way and Station Approach, have been discussed with planning offi cers and the fi nal decisions will be made at committee.
Our next surgery is on Saturday 6th July, from 10am to midday in Broadstone Library.
Cllrs Mike Brooke & Vikki Slade
Mike.Brooke@
bcpcouncil.gov.uk • 07584 168991
Vikki.Slade@
bcpcouncil.gov.uk • 01202 604191
To advertise, please contact 01202 657317 or email
harriet@broadstonelink.co.uk
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