Issue - meetings

Neighbourhood forums are organisations empowered to lead on the preparation of a neighbourhood plan within a defined area.

Neighbourhood planning involves the local community in developing a shared vision to help shape the future development and growth of their local area. A neighbourhood plan must proceed through several statutory stages before it can be formally ‘made’ (adopted) by the Council.

BCP Council has received two applications for designation of a neighbourhood forum and area within (i) the East Cliff and (ii) East Cliff and Springbourne Ward. Both applications extend into a small part of Bournemouth Town Centre ward. Each application was subject to a statutory public consultation inviting representations. The consultations ran in tandem between 24 February and 7 April 2025.

A prospective forum can determine what area is most suitable to plan for. However, the Local Planning Authority must first formally designate the forum (as a ‘qualifying body’) and designate the neighbourhood area, having regard to a range of factors including comments received from consultation.

RESOLVED that Cabinet considered each proposal for neighbourhood forum and area designation together with consultation responses and determined to agree option (2): -

That East Cliff and Springbourne Neighbourhood Forum and Area be designated, and that Option 1: the East Cliff Neighbourhood Forum and Area proposal is refused.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Leader of the Council

Reason

To meet the statutory obligations including provisions set out in (i) the Localism Act 2011 (ii) the Town & Country Planning Act 1990 and the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 (as amended by the Neighbourhood Planning Act 2017) and (iii) the Neighbourhood Planning Regulations 2012 (as amended).

During the debate the following reasons for the refusal of Option 1 were cited:-

·        The neighbourhood forum would split a ward which has some of the greatest challenges in terms of deprivation

·        The Neighbourhood Forum and Area does not have the backing of all three East Cliff & Springbourne ward councillors

·        The Neighbourhood Area is not considered to be inclusive as it excludes the Springbourne area, and as such does not align to Council values to empower more residents and communities to have a say about what is important in their area. Excluding people from decisions made in their local area can impact on community cohesion, health and social inequality.

·        The seafront is not included within the neighbourhood area (something which is strongly supported by residents)

·        Overall, the consultation feedback demonstrates less support for Option 1 (when compared with Option 2).

The Leader of the Council presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'H' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

Cabinet was advised that neighbourhood forums are organisations empowered to lead on the preparation of a neighbourhood plan within a defined area.

In relation to this Cabinet was informed that neighbourhood planning involved the local community in developing a shared vision to help shape the future development and growth of their local area, and that a neighbourhood plan must proceed through several statutory stages before it can be formally ‘made’ (adopted) by the Council.

Cabinet was informed that BCP Council had received two applications for designation of a neighbourhood forum and area within (i) the East Cliff and (ii) East Cliff and Springbourne Ward, and that both applications extend into a small part of Bournemouth Town Centre ward, each application was subject to a statutory public consultation inviting representations, and the consultations ran in tandem between 24 February and 7 April 2025.

Cabinet was advised that a prospective forum can determine what area is most suitable to plan for, however, the Local Planning Authority must first formally designate the forum (as a ‘qualifying body’) and designate the neighbourhood area, having regard to a range of factors including comments received from consultation.

The Leader invited Mr Mark Elkins to address the Cabinet following his involvement in the Neighbourhood Forum.

Mr Elkins spoke in support of the East Cliff and Springbourne Neighbourhood and Area citing the benefits of keeping the whole area together including the buildings, green space, beaches and cliffs and of the benefit of including Springbourne which he felt would have a greater impact on reserving heritage, dealing with crime and local employment opportunities.

Councillor Sara Armstrong addressed the Cabinet expressing thanks to officers and members of the public for actively building bridges to work together. Further to this Councillor Armstrong emphasised that the East Cliff and Springbourne neighbourhood area and forum proposal builds on grassroots engagement, which had the potential bring people together and to create and share common goals in a structured way.

Councillor Anne Marie Moriarty addressed the Cabinet supporting the proposals which would give the community a voice and highlighting the importance of including the seafront. In addition Councillor Moriarty questioned which option was the most inclusive and representative and which one drew logical boundaries and is led by people who have the trust of the Community, and that Option 2 (East Cliff and Springbourne Neighbourhood Area) was the more inclusive and included all of these things), in relation to this Councillor Moriarty advised that whilst this option definitely met the criteria, that it was also the will of the people which is the most important thing.

The Leader stressed that the Cabinet were being requested to make a decision which would shape the future, and that this was one of the most diverse and challenging wards, a unique area  ...  view the full minutes text for item 33