Public Issues
To receive any public questions, statements or petitions submitted in accordance with the Constitution. Further information on the requirements for submitting these is available to view at the following link:-
https://democracy.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/ieListMeetings.aspx?CommitteeID=151&Info=1&bcr=1
The deadline for the submission of public questions is 12 noon, 3 clear working days before the meeting.
The deadline for the submission of a statement is midday the working day before the meeting.
The deadline for the submission of a petition is 10 working days before the meeting.
Minutes:
Cabinet was advised that there had been no questions or petitions submitted from members of the public on this occasion but that two statements had been received in relation to Agenda Item 6 (Budget 2024/25 and Medium-Term Financial Plan) and Agenda Item 17 (The Royal Arcade, Boscombe – Bournemouth Towns Fund Update).
Public Statement received from Shaun Hayward and Ruth Crook, Trustees of the People First Forum
You have signed up to our Bill of Rights. This says we have:
- The right to say no
- The right to have our voices heard
Our members with learning disabilities have spoken up about the proposals – 1) Keep 3 centres 2) lose all 8
We did not know about proposal 2.
People with profound and multiple learning disabilities use the centres. They are a very vulnerable group. We think everyone should have their say.
“Nothing about Us, Without Us.”
Our members are upset, fearful and angry. They say you should not close the centres.
People need centres that are:
- Accessible and give us enough space to move freely
- Safe
- Have staff with specialist skills who know us well
“It is terrible, shouldn’t shut them down. They should stay open.”
“Where will I go to be with my friends?”
“Respect us, listen and keep our centre!”
Public Statement received from Philip Stanley Watts, Civic Society Trustee Heritage Group
This is a statement and plea.
These are challenging times for both BCP members and officers but also local communities.
Boscombe is a vibrant creative community with significant heritage like the royal arcade in a state of disrepair.
Community safety is vitally important, to cut csas officers would be disastrous I urge you not to cut csas and other local initiatives.