Issue - meetings

The Resident Card is a commitment to residents across the conurbation to support household incomes at a time when cost of living is increasing. The Council intends to introduce a scheme which gives residents access to become “Resident Card” holders, offering a free hour of parking in council-owned car parks, discounts at our seaside kiosks and one swim per month at our BCP Leisure centres, to support the wellbeing of local people. Additionally, work is underway with our leisure partners and local businesses across our high streets to build an offer which gives residents more for their money and supports the growth of our economy. The scheme is intended to be accessed digitally and with a physical card and making it truly accessible for all from Summer 2026.

This report details the BCP Resident Card offer, what the benefits are to residents and the opportunity to phase in offers or services as the scheme matures. This approach also means the scheme remains flexible and adaptable in line with financial forecasts.

Subject to Cabinet approval, the intention is that the offer outlined in this report will set out the requirements for a technology provider. This will form the basis of a detailed specification and contract terms to enable the Council to progress to call off a supplier by direct award.

RESOLVED that: -

(a)          Cabinet agrees the introduction of a Resident Card scheme, the initial offer as described in paragraph 13 onwards and the associated financial assessment.  

(b)         Cabinet approves to delegate authority to the Chief Operating Officer in consultation with Director of Finance and Portfolio Holders Councillor Herrett and Councillor Cox to direct award and associated contracts for the technical solution, in readiness for a summer 2026 go live.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Destination Leisure and Commercial Operations

Reason

Key activity in the Corporate Strategy to deliver for residents. Supports key aims in the Corporate Strategy including our inclusive, vibrant and sustainable economy supports our communities to thrive. Supports the Council’s UKSPF Investment Plan and existing interventions.

The Portfolio Holder for Destination, Leisure and Commercial presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'C' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

Cabinet was advised that the Resident Card is a commitment to residents across the conurbation to support household incomes at a time when cost of living is increasing, and that the Council intends to introduce a scheme which gives residents access to become “Resident Card” holders, offering a free hour of parking in council-owned car parks, discounts at our seaside kiosks and one swim per month at our BCP Leisure centres, to support the wellbeing of local people.

Cabinet was informed that additionally, work is underway with our leisure partners and local businesses across our high streets to build an offer which gives residents more for their money and supports the growth of our economy.

Cabinet was advised that the scheme is intended to be accessed digitally and with a physical card and making it truly accessible for all from Summer 2026.

Cabinet was informed that the report detailed the BCP Resident Card offer, what the benefits are to residents and the opportunity to phase in offers or services as the scheme matures, and that this approach also means the scheme remains flexible and adaptable in line with financial forecasts.

In relation to this Cabinet was advised that subject to Cabinet approval, the intention is that the offer outlined in this report will set out the requirements for a technology provider, and that this will form the basis of a detailed specification and contract terms to enable the Council to progress to call off a supplier by direct award.

In presenting the report the Portfolio Holder referenced the recent meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, thanked the Board for their discussion and advised that as a result of this an additional appendix had been included within the report to help address the request for financial details and that recommendation (b) had been amended to include consultation with himself and the Portfolio Holder for Finance which had also been requested by the Board during their meeting.

The Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Board, Councillor Kate Salmon addressed the Cabinet advising that at their recent meeting the Board had discussed this report in detail but that the Board did not support the recommendations due to what was felt to be a lack of financial information.

Councillor Salmon advised that the Board had proposed the following recommendation: -

RESOLVED that the Overview and Scrutiny Board do not support the recommendation as outlined in the report as the Board did not feel that the Cabinet report included sufficient financial details and details of the scheme offers to enable it to make an informed decision. The Board recommend to Cabinet that the report is deferred to allow details of the financial modelling that has been done to be added, including a cost/benefit analysis and a sensitivity  ...  view the full minutes text for item 48

The Resident Card is a commitment to residents across the conurbation to support household incomes at a time when cost of living is increasing. The Council intends to introduce a scheme which gives residents access to become “Resident Card” holder, offering a free hour of parking in council-owned car parks, discounts at our seaside kiosks and one swim per month at our BCP Leisure centres, to support the wellbeing of local people. Additionally, work is underway with our leisure partners and local businesses across our high streets to build an offer which gives residents more for their money and supports the growth of our economy. The scheme is intended to be accessed digitally and with a physical card and making it truly accessible for all from Spring 2026.

This report details the BCP Residents Card offer, what the benefits are to residents and the opportunity to phase in offers or services as the scheme matures. This approach also means the scheme remains flexible and adaptable in line with financial forecasts.

Subject to Cabinet approval, the intention is that the offer outlined in this report will set out the requirements for a technology provider. This will form the basis of a detailed specification and contract terms to enable the Council to progress to call off a supplier by direct award.

The Portfolio Holder for Destination, Leisure and Commercial Operations presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'B' to these Minutes in the Minute Book. The Board was advised that the Resident Card was a commitment to residents across the conurbation to support household incomes at a time when cost of living is increasing. The Council intended to introduce a scheme offering a free hour of parking in council-owned car parks, discounts at seaside kiosks and one swim per month at BCP Leisure centres, to support the wellbeing of local people. Additionally, work is underway with leisure partners and local businesses to build an offer which gives residents more for their money and supports the growth of the local economy. The scheme was intended to be accessed digitally and with a physical card and making it truly accessible for all from Spring 2026.

The report detailed the benefits to residents and the opportunity to phase in offers or services as the scheme matures. This approach also means the scheme remains flexible and adaptable in line with financial forecasts. Subject to Cabinet approval, the intention is that the offer outlined in this report will set out the requirements for a technology provider. This will form the basis of a detailed specification and contract terms to enable the Council to progress to call off a supplier by direct award.  A number of issues were raised by the Board in the subsequent discussion including:

Equity and Accessibility - Concerns were raised that the scheme disproportionately benefited drivers and excluded residents who did not have access to smartphones or parking apps. The lack of alternative payment methods, such as cash or card integration, was highlighted as a barrier for those with limited digital access. This was difficult to address due to the current parking infrastructure. The need for clear communication and confirmation of eligibility and usage was emphasised to avoid confusion and potential penalties.

Public Transport and Sustainable Travel - Members questioned the absence of incentives for public transport users in light of the Council’s commitment to reducing car dependency and promoting modal shift. The Board made suggestions to explore partnerships with bus operators and other sustainable travel providers such as Beryl Bikes in future phases of the scheme.

Exemptions and Affordability - Concern was raised regarding the lack of detail regarding exemptions for low-income residents.It was proposed that families eligible for free school meals and other vulnerable groups be considered for free or reduced-cost access to the scheme and the Board stressed the importance of ensuring the scheme did not inadvertently exclude those most in need.

Geographic Coverage and Leisure Access - It was noted that the leisure benefit was limited to BCP Leisure Centres, which were not located in Bournemouth, raising concerns about fairness and accessibility for residents in that area.The exclusion of BH Live facilities was questioned, and members requested that gym access also be given  ...  view the full minutes text for item 39