Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence from Councillors.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors S Bull, B Chick, J Clements, B Dove, C Matthews, A Moriarty, B Nanovo, L Northover, V Slade and C Weight for that part of the meeting held on 15 October 2024.

Apologies for absence were received from the Chief Executive and Councillors J Bagwell, J Butt, E Connolly, P Cooper, L Dedman (Chairman of Council), D d’Orton-Gibson, M Dower, A Filer, D Flagg, M Gillet, B Hitchcock, A Keddie, J Martin, S McCormack, C Matthews, K Rampton, K Salmon, V Slade and K Wilson for the reconvened meeting on the 4 November 2024.

Councillors are requested to declare any interests on items included in this agenda. Please refer to the workflow on the preceding page for guidance.

Declarations received will be reported at the meeting.

The Monitoring Officer advised that all Councillors had been granted a dispensation in respect of Agenda Item 9 (Cabinet 2 October 2024 – Minute No. 59 - Community Governance Review of BCP Council area) to ensure that all Councillors were freely able to fully participate in the debate and vote. In addition, the Monitoring Officer advised that the granting of the dispensation would be reported to the next meeting of the Standards Committee.

The Chief Executive advised that whilst there had been no specific declarations of interests received that Councillors who were directors of council owned companies may wish to declare their directorship in interest for the purposes of transparency for Item 10 (Cabinet 2 October 2024 – Minute No. 60 – Council Owned Companies Shareholder Governance Review).

Councillors S Bartlett, D Brown, M Earl, D d’Orton-Gibson, M Howell, A Martin, S McCormack, J Salmon, P Sidaway, and K Wilson declared interests in Agenda Item 10 (Cabinet 2 October 2024 – Minute No. 60 – Council Owned Companies Shareholder Governance Review) and remained present for the discussion and voting thereon.

In addition, Councillor M Howell also declared an interest in Agenda Item 8 (Cabinet 2 October 2024 – Minute No. 55 – Poole Civic Centre) as the Sheriff of Poole and Chair of the Civic Working Group.

To confirm and sign as a correct record the minutes of both the Extraordinary Meeting and the Council meeting held on 23 July 2024.

The Minutes of the Extraordinary meeting held on 23 July 2024 and the Council meeting held on 23 July 2024 were confirmed as a correct record subject to the start time of the Council meeting following the Extraordinary meeting being amended to show a start time of 7.38pm.

To receive any announcements from the Chairman.

The Chairman advised Council with great sadness of the recent death of Councillor Brian Castle who had sadly passed away following an illness. Councillor Kieron Wilson gave a moving tribute to Councillor Castle who had been elected onto the Council in May 2023.

The Chairman reported the sad passing of former Councillor and Mayor Bob Chapman who was elected to Bournemouth Council in 1981 and was Mayor from 20026-2007 and was granted Freedom of the Town in February 2019.

Councillor J Beesley relayed personal experiences or working with Bob Chapman following which Councillors stood in silent tribute to Councillor Brian Castle and Bob Chapman. 

The Chairman updated Council on her activities since the last meeting. These included attendance at: -

• Romany Holocoust Memorial
• VJ Day commemoration
• Opening of the Castle tearooms
• Air Festival Launch
• Air Festival Reception for the Lord Lieutenant
• Air Festival – beat the retreat
• Councillor Castles funeral
• Emergency Services Day
• Battle of Britain Service Memorial at Christchurch Priory
• Access to Food partners event

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 mid-day Wednesday 9 October 2024 (3 clear working days before the meeting).

The deadline for the submission of a statement is mid-day Monday 14 October 2024 (the working day before the meeting).

The deadline for the submission of a petition is Tuesday 1 October 2024 (10 working days before the meeting).

The public questions and statements set out in the minutes below are printed as per the wording used within the submissions made in accordance with the constitution.

As a number of public questions were on a similar topic a single response was provided as set out below.

Public Question from Alex McKinstry

On 16 November 2023, in exempt session, the Planning Committee discussed the Highmoor Farm planning application, seemingly at the behest of officers, who had "serious concerns" about the Committee's refusal of that application. What options were put to the Committee at that meeting? The outcome, as paraphrased by the director of planning, was that officers were to go away and seek "external expert advice"; so why did 34 days elapse between that decision and 20 December 2023, when such advice was finally sought from planning barrister Stephen Morgan? Was this a tactic by officers to allow the applicants room to appeal on the grounds of non-determination, which may have proved less costly for the Council? (Such an appeal was indeed launched on 5 December 2023, during the 34-day hiatus.) Finally, is this matter being audited, this being the third non-determination appeal on a major application since 2022?

Response by the Leader of the Council, Councillor Millie Earl

During the exempt session of the Planning Committee on 16th November 2023 relating to the Highmoor Farm planning application, the options for Members formed part of an exempt report from which the public were excluded. That was in accordance with Paragraph 5 in Part I of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972. In particular Exempt information – Category 5 (information in respect of which a claim to legal professional privilege could be maintained in legal proceedings). That position remains and so the content of the report and related advice cannot be publicly disclosed. 

Between the meeting on 2nd October 2023 and the matter being brought back to Members in January 2024, Officers continued to progress the instructions of Members. On or around 5th December 2023, an appeal against non-determination was lodged by the appellant which also then needed to be addressed and prior to Officers being able to conclude Members’ instructions. There was no tactic by Officers as stated and the process described accounts for the period in question. 

This case is not currently being audited, but the Monitoring Officer is aware and will keep the position under review along with the Director of Planning.

Public Question from Soo Chapman

Mass death & suffering caused by climate breakdown is a crime of oblique intent. The ICC & all 123 signatory nations have the power to prosecute.  The public should be warned of "global ecological collapse"*, and that, if we conserve global resources, there could be a survival trajectory. 

Media, politics and the judiciary hypocritically condemn non-violent direct action while Broadmoor policies, including massive subsidies for mis-sold deadly fuels, guarantee Grenfelling damage and at the same time play down the £trillions of costs as systems collapse. 

How quickly please can BCP  ...  view the full minutes text for item 27.

Council is advised that a petition with in excess of 2000 valid signatures has been received from Mr Bob Smith-Thomas requesting that the biannual Hush Club Event in Southbourne be preserved:

The Hush Club's annual events have long been a cornerstone of unity and charity in the Southbourne community. Held twice a year on the cliff top by the Riva Café, these family-friendly gatherings bring together locals, fostering strong community ties and providing a platform for fundraising efforts.

Regrettably, the continuation of these beloved events is under threat. We believe in the immense value of these events for our community and the charities they support. Hence, we urge the authorities to permit the continuation of the Hush Club's events, so that we may continue to unite, celebrate, and support our community together.

By adding your signature, you are championing the cause of community togetherness and charity in Southbourne. Let's come together and show that Southbourne stands united in preserving this local event. 

It is also worth bearing in mind that Cafe Riva host a weekly "Rendezvous at Riva" where a DJ plays Saturday and Sunday and I believe this may be the reason for the complaints rather than the twice a year Hush club events. I noted on a recent visit that their speakers were pointing inland facing Fishermans Walk. The Hush Club speakers are aimed across the cliff top to limit the noise levels to local residents.

In their last event Mr Andrew Hill from the Environmental department at BCP was in attendance who confirmed with Rob Green that the noise levels were satisfactory and well within BCP council regulations.

I would like the council to consider lifting the ban on The Hush Club for next year to host the two charity events as they have done for the past many years.

Consideration was given to a petition calling for BCP Council to preserve the Biannual Hush Club Event in Southbourne …

The petition organiser, Mr Bob Smith-Thomas, provided Council with background relating to the submitted petition, and in doing so read a statement from the organisers of the Hush Club.

Members spoke in support of the event thanking the petition organiser for bringing the petition to Council.

The Portfolio Holder for Housing and Regulatory Services, Councillor Kieron Wilson spoke on the petition highlighting that the Council had not banned the Hush Club event nor had any legal action been taken, but that Environmental Health staff had been liaising with the event organiser following a large number of noise complaints (45 separate noise complaints received since 2021) which the Council has a statutory duty to investigate.

Further to this the Portfolio Holder advised that should the Hush Club wish to continue the event they would need to apply for a temporary event notice, the process followed for previous events, and that if there were objections to the event from the police or council based on previous history the application would be heard at a Licensing Committee for the members to consider and make a decision.

Councillor Kieron Wilson proposed that: -

Council notes the petition and the strength of feeling within the community and asks that it be referred to the Licensing Committee’

This proposal was seconded by Councillor Millie Earl.

Council debated the petition and it was:

RESOLVED that Council notes the petition and the strength of feeling within the community and asks that it be referred to the Licensing Committee.

Voting: Nem. Con (1 abstention)

RECOMMENDED that Cabinet: -

(b)           Recommend to Council the revenue budget virement set out in paragraph 5.

Note - resolutions (a) and (c) were resolved matters by the Cabinet.

The Portfolio Holder for Finance, Councillor Mike Cox presented the report on the Council Budget Monitoring 2024/25 Quarter One and outlined the recommendations as set out on the agenda.

RESOLVED that: -

(b)          the revenue budget virement set out in paragraph be agreed.

Note – resolutions (a) and (c) were resolved matters by the Cabinet.

Voting: For:43, Against:0, Abstentions:21

Councillor Vanessa Ricketts left the meeting at 8.41pm.

PLEASE NOTE: Should the Council wish to discuss the detail of Appendices A or C it will be necessary to exclude the press and public and move into exempt session. If applicable, the following resolution should be moved:

“That under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 in Part I of Schedule 12A of the Act and that the public interest in withholding the information outweighs such interest in disclosing the information.”

RECOMMENDED that Council: -

(a)           note the confidential draft minutes and the recommendations of the Cross-Party Asset Disposal Working Group meeting held on the 20 September 2024; and

(b)           approve the open market disposal of the former civic centre in Poole on such terms to be approved by Cabinet based on a detailed report of bids received to support them in their decision making which includes social, environmental and financial benefits.

The Portfolio Holder for Finance, Councillor Mike Cox presented the report on the Poole Civic Centre and outlined the recommendations as set out on the agenda.

In proposing the recommendations, the Portfolio Holder for Finance proposed an amendment to recommendation (b) so that the recommendations read as follows: -

(a)           note the confidential draft minutes and the recommendations of the Cross-Party Asset Disposal Working Group meeting held on the 20 September 2024; and

(b)           approve the open market disposal of the former civic centre in Poole on such terms to be approved by Cabinet based on a detailed report of bids received to support them in their decision making which includes social, environmental and financial benefits as well as compliance and respect for the Grade 2 listing and the BCP local plan.

This was seconded by Councillor David Brown and debated as the substantive motion.

Comprehensive discussion took place with the following aspects being raised: -

·         Previous agreements to accommodate the Mayor and Charter Trustees and the Coroners.

·         Vertical slice of the original building to be retained.

·         Heritage value of the building.

·         £19,000 per month cost of retaining the building in its current state.

·         Main building is Grade II listed and would therefore be required to be retained.

·         BCP Local Plan states that any development proposals must firstly preserve or enhance the character and appearance of heritage assets and their settings including the listed civic building.

·         Final sale figure shouldn’t be decided by Cabinet but by Council.

·         Concern with regards to the sale of Council assets.

Councillor Mark Howell proposed an amendment to the recommendation which was seconded by Councillor Felicity Rice and sought to replace recommendation (b) so that recommendation (b) read as follows: -

(b)           proceeds to market testing on the basis of disposal of the whole site and disposal of the site minus the vertically sliced civic function, and that the viability of retaining the vertical slice in public use incorporating the Poole Mayoralty function and potential community and coroner use be properly considered by the Council with any decision as to disposal being reserved to Council.

Council debated the amendment following which a recorded vote was requested, upon receiving the required support for a recorded vote the amendment as set out above was put to the vote and carried as follows: -

For: 35

Against: 26

RECOMMENDED that: -

(a)    a Community Governance Review be conducted, in accordance with the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007;

(b)    the timetable and Terms of Reference for the Review, as set out at Appendix 1 to this report, be approved;

(c)    the Director of Law and Governance and Head of Democratic Services be authorised to take all necessary steps in relation to the Review; and

(d)    a Working Group be appointed to consider the Review and make recommendations to the Council comprising a total of 10 councillors, with a composition as set out in paragraph 18 to this report.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Millie Earl presented the report on the Community Governance Review of BCP Council area and outlined the recommendations as set out on the agenda.

Council were advised of the background and process of a Community Governance Review following which comprehensive discussion took place on the item.

RESOLVED that: -

(a)           a Community Governance Review be conducted, in accordance with the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007;

(b)           the timetable and Terms of Reference for the Review, as set out at Appendix 1 to this report, be approved;

(c)           the Director of Law and Governance and Head of Democratic Services be authorised to take all necessary steps in relation to the Review; and

(d)           a Working Group be appointed to consider the Review and make recommendations to the Council comprising a total of 10 councillors, with a composition as set out in paragraph 18 to this report.

Voting: For:44, Against:1, Abstentions:10

RECOMMENDED that Council: -

(a)          Approve the Shareholder Advisory Board and Shareholder Operations Board Governance Framework for inclusion in the Council’s Constitution;

(b)          Approve the Guidance to Councillors and Officers Appointed to Outside Bodies for inclusion in the Council’s Constitution; and

(c)          Delegate authority to the Monitoring Officer to take all steps necessary to ensure the Council’s Constitution remains up to date in respect of these documents.

The Portfolio Holder for Transformation, Resources and Governance, Finance, Councillor Jeff Hanna presented the report on the Council Owned Companies Shareholder Governance Review and outlined the recommendations as set out on the agenda.

In proposing the recommendations, the Portfolio Holder for Transformation, Resources and Governance proposed an amendment to recommendation (a) so that the recommendation read as follows: -

(a)        Approve the Shareholder Advisory Board and Shareholder Operations Board Governance Framework for inclusion in the Council’s Constitution subject to the replacement of ‘be appointed’ with ‘normally be nominated’ into the final paragraph of 1.5.2 so as to read ‘For clarification, BCP Councillors will not normally be nominated by BCP Council to Boards of Council Companies’;

Council consented to the amendment becoming the substantive motion and debated the recommendations as amended in detail with some members expressing concern with Councillors not being appointed to the Boards.

Following comprehensive debate, the recommendations were carried as set out below.

RESOLVED that Council: -

(a)        Approve the Shareholder Advisory Board and Shareholder Operations Board Governance Framework for inclusion in the Council’s Constitution subject to the replacement of ‘be appointed’ with ‘normally be nominated’ into the final paragraph of 1.5.2 so as to read ‘For clarification, BCP Councillors will not normally be nominated by BCP Council to Boards of Council Companies’;

(b)        Approve the Guidance to Councillors and Officers Appointed to Outside Bodies for inclusion in the Council’s Constitution; and

(c)        Delegate authority to the Monitoring Officer to take all steps necessary to ensure the Council’s Constitution remains up to date in respect of these documents.

Voting: For:35, Against:15, Abstentions:2

Councillors S Bartlett, D Brown, M Earl, D d’Orton-Gibson, M Howell, A Martin, S McCormack, J Salmon P Sidaway, and K Wilson declared interests in this item and remained present for the discussion and voting thereon.

Councillor Sharon Carr-Brown left the meeting at 11.25pm prior to the vote on the item.

Councillor Emily Harman left the meeting at 11.37pm.

RECOMMENDED that Council: -

(1)           approves the demolition of the former W H Smith building (625 Christchurch Road), the creation of the new pedestrian boulevard and the construction of the new Community Centre and associated hard and soft landscaping for a total scheme cost of £4.1m;

(2)           approves the financial strategy for the scheme as set out in paragraphs 11-22 with specific approval for the use of £4.1m of Towns Fund grant funding to pay for the delivery of the Community Centre;

(3)           approves entering into a Service Level Agreement with the council’s Construction Works Team (CWT), for the building of the Community Centre and pedestrian boulevard between Hawkwood Road and Christchurch Road; and

(4)           approve the delegation to the Chief Operations Officer, in conjunction with the Director of Finance and the Director of Law & Governance authority, to enter into a contract for the building works, providing all key parameters (including delivery within approved capital budget) are met.

The Portfolio Holder for Housing and Regulatory Services, Councillor Kieron Wilson presented the report on the Hawkwood Road Community Centre – Towns Fund Masterplan and outlined the recommendations as set out on the agenda.

In proposing the recommendations, the Portfolio Holder for Housing and Regulatory Services proposed an amendment to recommendation (3) replacing and splitting the recommendation into two parts so that it read as follows: -

3)                        (a) Approval of the build works contract to the in-house Construction Works Team (subject to capacity and acceptable budget compliance) or award of contract to an external main works contractor for demolition of the former WH Smith building and/or newbuild community centre;

(b) Delegation to relevant Service Director to undertake an external procurement process to select a main contractor for works should the in-house team (CWT) not be able to comply with the budget and/or have insufficient capacity;

Council consented to the amendment becoming the substantive motion and debated the recommendations as amended.

Councillor Joe Salmon proposed a motion as per 11.1.15 of the Constitution that the meeting be now adjourned, this was seconded by Councillor Cameron Adams.

Following discussion, it was agreed that the motion would be withdrawn and that items of business of an urgent nature be dealt with prior to the motion being put. It was agreed that the current item be dealt with, and that the meeting would then move onto and debate Agenda Item 13 (Cabinet 2 October 2024 – Minute No. 63 – High Needs Scholls Grant Expenditure Forecast) prior to adjourning.

Councillors Hazel Allen, Michelle Dower, Anne Filer and Rachel Maidment left the meeting at 11.44pm.

Debate then returned to the current item where the recommendation as amended was carried as set out below.

RESOLVED that Council: -

1)             approves the demolition of the former W H Smith building (625 Christchurch Road), the creation of the new pedestrian boulevard and the construction of the new Community Centre and associated hard and soft landscaping for a total scheme cost of £4.1m;

2)            approves the financial strategy for the scheme as set out in paragraphs 11-22 with specific approval for the use of £4.1m of Towns Fund grant funding to pay for the delivery of the Community Centre;

3)                        (a) Approval of the build works contract to the in-house Construction Works Team (subject to capacity and acceptable budget compliance) or award of contract to an external main works contractor for demolition of the former WH Smith building and/or newbuild community centre;

(b) Delegation to relevant Service Director to undertake an external procurement process to select a main contractor for works should the in-house team (CWT) not be able to comply with the budget and/or have insufficient capacity; and

4)   approve the delegation to the Chief Operations Officer, in conjunction with the Director of Finance and the Director of Law & Governance authority, to enter into a contract for the building works, providing all key parameters (including delivery within approved capital budget) are met.

Voting: For:48, Against:0, Abstentions:1

RECOMMENDED that Council: -

(a)           approves a further £16.5m increase in the forecast 2024/25 expenditure on the Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) service. This brings the total funding forecast to £44.5m more than the grant made available by government as part of the dedicated Schools Grant; and

(b)           request the Corporate Director of Children’s service to implement the further mitigation measures outlined in this report.

The Portfolio Holder for Children, Young People, Education and Skills, Councillor Richard Burton presented the report on the High Needs Schools Grant Expenditure Forecast and outlined the recommendations as set out on the agenda.

RESOLVED that Council: -

(a)           Approves a further £16.5m increase in the forecast 2024/25 expenditure on the Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) service. This brings the total funding forecast to £44.5m more than the grant made available by government as part of the dedicated Schools Grant; and

(b)           Request the Corporate Director of Children’s service to implement the further mitigation measures outlined in this report.

Voting: For: Unanimous

Councillor Joe Salmon proposed a motion as per 11.1.15 of the Constitution that the meeting be now adjourned, this was seconded by Councillor Cameron Adams and agreed by the majority of members.

Councillor George Farquhar requested that his vote against the motion to adjourn the meeting be recorded.

The meeting was adjourned at 00.13am

In opening the reconvened meeting on the 4 November 2024 the Vice-Chairman welcomed Councillor Toby Slade who had been elected onto the Council following the recent Muscliff and Strouden Park by-election.

The Vice-Chairman also advised council of the sad passing of Ron Parker, former Councillor, Mayor and Sheriff of Poole. In relation to this the Vice Chairman advised that formal tributes would be paid at the next council meeting where a spoken tribute would be given in memory of Ron Parker.

RECOMMENDED that Council: -

1.      Approve a further £995k for design, planning and demolition of existing buildings;

2.      Approve the delegation to the Chief Operations Officer in conjunction with the Director of Finance and the Director of Law & Governance authority to enter a contract for demolition providing all key parameters (including delivery within approved capital budget) are met;

3.      Appropriate the site for housing purposes under section 19 of the Housing Act 1985; and

4.      Transfer the site to the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) from the General fund at an appropriate certified value of the land.

Note - resolution 5 was a resolved matter by the Cabinet.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Millie Earl presented the report on Constitution Hill Road, Poole and outlined the recommendations as set out on the agenda.

Comprehensive discussion took place on the item with members speaking on the proposals contained within the report.

RESOLVED that: -

1)             Approve a further £995k for design, planning and demolition of existing buildings;

2)             Approve the delegation to the Chief Operations Officer in conjunction with the Director of Finance and the Director of Law & Governance authority to enter a contract for demolition providing all key parameters (including delivery within approved capital budget) are met;

3)             Appropriate the site for housing purposes under section 19 of the Housing Act 1985; and

4)             Transfer the site to the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) from the General fund at an appropriate certified value of the land.

Note - resolution 5 was a resolved matter by the Cabinet.

Voting: For: Unanimous

This is the annual report of the Statutory Scrutiny Officer on Overview and Scrutiny (O&S) activity within BCP Council.  There is a requirement to report on the work of O&S to Council, to ensure good visibility of the function and Council ownership of activity and any improvements required.

The annual report contains a summary and analysis of O&S activity during 2023-24, reflections on working practices and an action plan identifying strategic improvements to the O&S function.

All O&S committees received the annual report for consideration, providing opportunity for comment prior to the supply of the final report to Council.

The Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Board, Councillor Stephen Bartlett presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'A' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

Council was asked to consider the annual report of the Statutory Scrutiny Officer on Overview and Scrutiny (O&S) activity within BCP Council.

Council was advised that there is a requirement to report on the work of O&S to Council to ensure good visibility of the function of and Council ownership of activity and any improvements required.

Council was informed that the annual report contains a summary and analysis of O&S activity during 2023-24, reflections on working practices and an action plan identifying strategic improvements to the O&S function, and that in relation to this all O&S Committees received the annual report for consideration, providing opportunity for comment prior to the supply of the final report to Council.

Thanks were expressed to the officers and chairs of each of the scrutiny committees.

RESOLVED that: -

1.    Council considered and commented on the annual report and associated action plan; and

2.    Council approved the proposed minor revisions to the O&S committee structure illustrated at figure 1b within this report. 

Voting: For: Unanimous

The deadline for questions to be submitted to the Monitoring Officer is Monday 7 October 2024.

Question from Councillor Anne-Marie Moriarty

Several residents have raised concerns about the increasing amount of dog faeces in public areas, including parks, pavements, and particularly Kings Park Cemetery. One resident highlighted the issue by sharing that her sight-impaired mother regularly steps in excrement while visiting her husband’s grave. She has faced verbal aggression when challenging dog owners and has raised complaints to the council but has not received a satisfactory response.

Could you provide information on how long it has been since the bylaws enforcing dog owners to clean up after their pets expired? Additionally, when can we expect new bylaws to be implemented to address this issue?

Response from the Portfolio Holder for Communities and Partnerships, Councillor Sandra Moore

In Bournemouth, dogs were historically prohibited from entering council-controlled cemeteries as part of a 2011 Bournemouth Borough Council control of dogs order under the Clean Neighbourhood & Environment Act 2005.  However, in Christchurch and Poole cemeteries, this legislation was not taken up and dogs were permitted access to open space including cemeteries.   

This legislation lapsed in 2017 and was replaced in 2020 by PSPO Public Space Protection Order  legislation. 

Under a PSPO, and when an offence is witnessed, local authorities can issue a fixed penalty fine of up to £100 to those who fail to clean up after their dog in public.  This fine could be increased to £1000 by a magistrate’s court if a person refused to pay. 

Fortunately, most dog owners act responsibly and remove any fouling. 

It also needs to be mentioned that these orders require evidence gathering, mapping, legal input and consultation etc all of which takes time and money.   

However, work to review, implement and enforce a PSPO is on the forward plan to be explored in the future. But in the meantime, we are of course, asking the minority of dog owners responsible for failing to clean up after their animals to respect the public open spaces they access, to be considerate to other users and pick up after their dogs.

Supplementary Question from Councillor Anne-Marie Moriarty

I am just wondering what to say to my residents in the meantime.

Response from the Portfolio Holder for Communities and Partnerships, Councillor Sandra Moore

I sympathise with the situation, but I will be looking to see what we can do to move this forward. It is currently work in progress.

Question from Councillor Mark Howell

Councillor Howell requested that his question be carried over to the next meeting of the Council when the Chief Executive would be in attendance.

Question from Councillor Patrick Canavan

‘Can an update be given on the position with Kings Park Nursery in terms of what has happened with the site since the decision to close it and what the plan is for the future?’

Response from the Portfolio Holder for Communities and Partnerships, Councillor Sandra Moore

The Kings Park plant nursery site has just come into my Communities portfolio. 

Expressions of interest to take on the entire site with the existing users  ...  view the full minutes text for item 37.

Bournemouth Women’s Refuge

The following motion submitted in accordance with Procedure Rule 10 of the Meeting Procedure Rules has been proposed by Councillor D Farr and seconded by Councillor H Allen: -

There has been no scrutiny of the decision to close Bournemouth's only Women’s Refuge for those fleeing abusive relationships.

We ask the decision be reversed and the council's policy on social care for vulnerable individuals escaping domestic violence must be fully scrutinised before committee.

Council Elections Voting System

The following motion submitted in accordance with Procedure Rule 10 of the Meeting Procedure Rules has been proposed by Councillor J Salmon and seconded by Councillor Oliver Walters.

This Council believes that the current First-Past-the-Post (FPTP) electoral system used for local elections does not fully reflect the diverse political preferences of our electorate. We propose that the Leader of the Council contacts the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government and requests that BCP Councils 2027 local elections are used as an opportunity to trial an alternative Single Transferable Vote (STV) system.

Background:

1. Electoral Fairness:
   • The FPTP system often results in disproportionate representation, where the distribution of seats does not accurately reflect the share of votes each party receives.
   • STV is a proportional representation system that aims to allocate seats more fairly, ensuring that the majority of votes contribute to the election outcome.
2. Voter Empowerment:
   • Under FPTP electors are frequently pressured to vote for candidates they do not favour out of fear of one they dislike even more being successful.
   • Under FPTP any votes cast for the candidate who is not successful are simply ignored.
   • STV allows voters to rank candidates in order of preference, reducing wasted votes and empowering voters to express nuanced preferences.
3. Encouraging Positive Campaigning:
   • FPTP can encourage negative campaigning as parties focus on winning narrow pluralities.
   • STV incentivizes positive campaigning, as candidates must seek not only first-choice votes but also second and third preferences from a broader electorate.
4. Successful Implementation Elsewhere:
   • STV is already successfully used in several other democracies and in various elections within the United Kingdom, such as the Northern Ireland Assembly and local elections in Scotland.

Proposal:

1. This Council instructs the Leader of the Council to write to the Secretary of State for Housing Communities and Local Government requesting that legislation be passed to allow the trial of STV in the 2027 local elections noting that BCP Council would be happy to pilot STV.

Changes to the Winter Fuel Allowance and protecting pensioners from fuel poverty

The following motion submitted in accordance with Procedure Rule 10 of the Meeting Procedure Rules has been proposed by Councillor P Broadhead and seconded by Councillor B Dove: -

Council Notes:

•       The Labour Government’s recent decision to restrict the Winter Fuel Payment to only pensioners in receipt of means-tested benefits like Pension Credit, as announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves.

•       The estimated impact of this decision, which in the BCP Council area alone could see 75,627 pensioners lose their fuel allowance, and which Age  ...  view the full agenda text for item 38.

Council was advised that three motions had been received on this occasion.

The following motion was submitted in accordance with Procedure Rule 9 of the Meeting Procedure Rules and was moved by Councillor Duane Farr and seconded by Councillor Hazel Allen.

In moving the motion Councillor Farr referred to amended wording to the motion which had been submitted by Councillor Patrick Canavan which amended the motion to read as follows: -

‘There has been no scrutiny of the decision to close Bournemouth’s only Women’s Refuge for those fleeing abusive relationships.

We ask that the decision be reversed and the council’s policy on social care for vulnerable individuals escaping domestic violence must be fully scrutinised before committee examined as part of a cross-party working group to be established to oversee the finalisation of the Safe Accommodation and Commissioning Strategy, reporting to the Environment & Place Overview & Scrutiny Committee in Spring 2025.’

Councillor Farr advised that the wording had been accepted by himself as the proposer and the seconder of the motion. Council agreement was sought to confirm the amendment as the substantive motion which was subsequently carried without dissent.

Comprehensive discussion took place on the item following which it was:

RESOLVED that there has been no scrutiny of the decision to close Bournemouth’s only Women’s Refuge for those fleeing abusive relationships: -

the decision be examined as part of a cross-party working group to be established to oversee the finalisation of the Safe Accommodation and Commissioning Strategy, reporting to the Environment & Place Overview & Scrutiny Committee in Spring 2025.’

Voting: For: Unanimous

The following motion was submitted in accordance with Procedure Rule 9 of the Meeting Procedure Rules and was moved by Councillor Joe Salmon and seconded by Councillor Oliver Walters.

This Council believes that the current First-Past-the-Post (FPTP) electoral system used for local elections does not fully reflect the diverse political preferences of our electorate. We propose that the Leader of the Council contacts the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government and requests that BCP Councils 2027 local elections are used as an opportunity to trial an alternative Single Transferable Vote (STV) system.

Background:

1. Electoral Fairness:

o   The FPTP system often results in disproportionate representation, where the distribution of seats does not accurately reflect the share of votes each party receives.

o   STV is a proportional representation system that aims to allocate seats more fairly, ensuring that the majority of votes contribute to the election outcome.

2. Voter Empowerment:

o   Under FPTP electors are frequently pressured to vote for candidates they do not favour out of fear of one they dislike even more being successful.

o   Under FPTP any votes cast for the candidate who is not successful are simply ignored.

o   STV allows voters to rank candidates in order of preference, reducing wasted votes and empowering voters to express nuanced preferences.

3. Encouraging Positive Campaigning:

o   FPTP can encourage negative campaigning as parties focus on winning narrow pluralities.

o   STV incentivizes positive campaigning, as candidates must seek  ...  view the full minutes text for item 38.

To consider any urgent decisions taken by the Chief Executive in accordance with the Constitution.

Council was advised that no urgent decisions had been taken by the Chief Executive in accordance with the Constitution since the last meeting of the Council.