Agenda

To receive any apologies for absence from Councillors.

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.

To confirm and sign as a correct record the minutes of the Meeting held on 3 June 2025.

To receive any announcements from the Chairman.

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 16 July 2025 (3 clear working days before the meeting).

The deadline for the submission of a statement is mid-day Monday 21 July 2025 (mid-day the working day before the meeting).

The deadline for the submission of a petition is Tuesday 8 July 2025 (10 working days before the meeting).

Council is advised that a petition with 2000+ valid signatures has been received, titled: ‘End Council Support for Netanya Twinning’.

Statement:

We the undersigned petition the council to take all measures within its power, to cease support for the twinning relationship with Netanya, Israel, including but not limited to: Supporting any official or unofficial visits, exchanges, or cultural programs linked to the twinning. Promoting or endorsing any materials or signs related to the twinning, and consequently, remove all signs, plaques, and promotional materials related to the twinning from council-controlled spaces. Providing any financial or logistical support to Netanya or its representatives. Disclose all council expenditures related to the twinning and commit to full transparency moving forward. Taking this action will allow the council to demonstrate its commitment to upholding human rights, equality, and peace.

Justification:

Reasoning:
Netanya is a city in Israel that supports and benefits from the ongoing occupation and oppression of the Palestinian people. At a time when Israel is carrying out a genocide in Gaza, continuing this twinning sends the wrong message. Ending council support reflects our community’s commitment to human rights, equality, and peace.

Notices of Motions in accordance with Procedure Rule 10 relating to this matter

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

Motion: suspension of council support for the Bournemouth–Netanya twinning arrangement

Council notes the content of the public petition presented at its meeting of 22 July 2025 and resolves to:

1.    Suspend all support for the Bournemouth–Netanya twinning arrangement with immediate effect until Council decides otherwise;

2.    Remove existing road signs and anything else within the Council’s control that refers to the twinning within the public realm (including online), within two months of this resolution; and

3.    Instruct the Leader and Chief Executive to write, within four weeks, to the Mayor of Netanya and the Chair of the Bournemouth-Netanya twinning association confirming the Council’s suspension of civic support until circumstances allow the matter to be reviewed.

RECOMMENDED that the Annual Report of the Standards Committee be noted.

To consider the recommendations arising from the Cabinet meeting scheduled for 16 July 2025. The recommendations will be circulated as soon as practicably possible following the meeting of the Cabinet. A copy of the reports and appendices to the Cabinet have been published and are available on the Council’s website on the following link: https://democracy.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=285&MId=6064&Ver=4

Following the recommendation of the Standards Committee this report seeks Council approval to amend the Constitution to include the Officer Code of Conduct and to update the training requirements for Councillors who are appointed to the Standards Committee.

This report seeks Council’s approval of the Scheme of Allowances for 2025-2026 Municipal Year and incorporates the recommendations of the Independent Remuneration Panel (IRP) on their review of the Members’ Scheme of Allowances for 2025/26.

Consideration of the Scheme of Members’ Allowances was deferred by Council on 10 December 2024 pending the conclusion of the Pay and Reward review which is included as a separate item on the agenda for this meeting.

1.  REPAIR AND REUSE INITIATIVES

The following motion submitted in accordance with Procedure Rule 10 of the Meeting Procedure Rules has been proposed by Councillor R Herrett and seconded by Councillor E Harman.

This Council notes:

The UK is the second highest producer of electronic waste per capita in the world. Repair and reuse is central to achieving a truly circular, less wasteful, economy. They help to tackle climate change and achieve our net zero ambition, reduce living costs for UK households and create green skilled jobs.

There is strong public support for further repair and re-use initiatives, and for manufacturers to enable spares and repairs to be easily accessible, affordable and installable.

This Council believes:

We should be responding to increasing public demand for repair services and skills, advocating for a return to a strong UK fixing economy and championing reuse to give products a second life.

Repair should be a thriving sector of our economy. Where products are designed to be durable and easily repairable by default and in which manufacturers actively support their products for as long as possible. A future where products are given a second life through reuse, repair is the easiest option for everyone when something breaks, and recycling is saved for the very end of a product’s useful life.

This Council resolves to:

a.       Endorse the Repair and Reuse Declaration.

b.       Support the Bournemouth Repair café and other organisations promoting Repair and Reuse across the BCP area through access to networks and space, and funds where available.

c.        Write to the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, and Energy and Climate change asking that they support the Repair and Reuse Declaration and examine measures that the government can take to further repair reuse in manufacturing, training in repair skills and supporting the community.

2.  VACANT SITES FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING

The following motion submitted in accordance with Procedure Rule 10 of the Meeting Procedure Rules has been proposed by Councillor P Cooper and seconded by Councillor P Canavan.

This Council notes: 

·       The escalating need for affordable and social housing across the BCP area, with many residents in housing stress or on long waiting lists. 

·       The growing number of vacant and underused sites including:

·       The long-neglected Sydenham’s timber site, 

·       The derelict Old James Brothers scrapyard, and 

·       The stalled former Power Station development land. 

These sites have remained undeveloped for years, blighting the area, attracting anti-social behaviour, and contributing nothing to local housing need or community wellbeing. 

This Council believes: 

That speculative land banking is unacceptable in the face of a housing crisis. 

That there is a duty to local residents to use all available means to bring these sites forward for affordable housing development, in line with Labour’s policy of delivering social and council homes. 

This Council therefore resolves to: 

1.    Undertake an urgent audit of all vacant or stalled development sites across BCP.

2.    Assess each site’s potential to deliver affordable housing, with a published report outlining options and obstacles. 

3.    Use  ...  view the full agenda text for item 11.

The deadline for questions to be submitted to the Monitoring Officer is Monday 14 July 2025.

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