Agenda and draft minutes

To receive any apologies for absence from Councillors.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors S Armstrong, J Bagwell, P Cooper, A Filer, A-M Moriarty and L Williams

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.

Council was advised that the Monitoring Officer had granted all Members dispensations to enable all Councillors to fully and freely participate in the debate relating to all aspects of the budget setting for the forthcoming year and the Council Tax base.

In relation to this Council was advised that the granting of the dispensation would be reported to the next meeting of the Standards Committee.

Councillor Jamie Martin declared an interest in Minute No. 95 (Cabinet 11 February 2026 – Minute No. 133 – Pokesdown Railway Station) and left the meeting during the discussion and voting thereon.

To receive any announcements from the Chairman.

The Chairman advised Council that given the budget specific nature of the meeting the Council would be updated with regards to engagements attended at the next meeting of the Council on 24 March 2026.

The Portfolio Holder for Finance, Councillor Mike Cox paid tribute to Adam Richens who was stepping down as Chief Finance Officer at the end of March following 40 years of service, the Portfolio Holder thanked Mr Richens for his dedication, expertise, integrity and professionalism.

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 18 February 2026 (mid-day, 3 clear working days before the meeting).

The deadline for the submission of a statement is mid-day Monday 23 February 2026 (mid-day the working day before the meeting).

The deadline for the submission of a petition is Tuesday 10 February 2026 (10 working days before the meeting).

[PLEASE NOTE: In accordance with the Constitution public issues submitted to the Budget Council meeting must address the business on the agenda in so far as it may relate to the setting of the budget for the coming financial year.]

The Chairman advised Council that in accordance with the Constitution that questions and statements submitted to the Budget Council meeting must address the business on the agenda in so far as it may relate to the setting of the budget for the coming financial year.

Public Questions

Public Question from David Redgewell

At the meeting on 11th February 2025 the council turned down a request by Network Rail Wessex route and SWR to fund the replacement lifts at Pokesdown station including the station forecourt improvements.

As a local transport authority, BCP has a responsibility to work with the state owned rail industry with Dorset Council building new lifts at Dorchester South.  We urge the council to reinstate some partnership budget on this important project. In view of the fact that this is a public project, will the council and Network Rail publish the Equality Impact Assessment EIA and Disability Impact Assessment DIA and meet with Lord Hendy, Heidi Alexander, the Western Gateway Transport Board and Lawrence Bowman?

Response by the Portfolio Holder for Climate Response, Environment and Energy, Councillor Andy Hadley

Thank you, Mr Redgewell, for your statement and question, as you highlight in your statement the Pokesdown lifts have been inoperable for nearly 50 years and over that time the railway operator has not acted to rectify this.

There was a specific obligation as a result of the community campaign on First MTR Group in taking on the South West Rail franchise in 2017 to get functional passenger lifts at the station by 2020, they failed that obligation.

It is the duty of the railway operator to comply with the Disability Discrimination Act but also to cater for those with need with prams or luggage joining or leaving trains, none of the stations across BCP comply with the regulations although Bournemouth has at least steeper ramps, and none are currently on the Access For All priority list nationally.

As a transport authority BCP Council is responsible for strategic transport planning, the oversight of public transport services and the highway infrastructure that supports them.

The offer to part fund the Pokesdown lifts was unfunded and went beyond the responsibilities or the local authority, it required us to borrow funds over a 50-year term.

For other stations including at Dorchester South there are significant developments close by that residents could benefit from the facilities and the community infrastructure levy funding (CIL) rather than borrowing has been offered. There are no such opportunities around Pokesdown.

The Equalities Impact Assessment for the decision on our contributions is attached to the report, any decision has both a positive and negative impact and the assessment highlights that funding other essential services that the council does have responsibility for across the whole of BCP balances not funding this improvement at this one site in respect of an equalities impact.

We have met with the team from South West railway and Network Rail Wessex and written to both the Rail Minister and the Secretary of State for  ...  view the full minutes text for item 89.

RECOMMENDED that Council approves: -

(a)        the report for the calculation of the council’s tax base for the year 2026/27 and recommends the tax base to Full Council; and

(b)        pursuant to the report, and in accordance with the Local Authorities (Calculation of Council Tax Base) Regulations 1992, as amended, the amount calculated as the council tax base for Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council for 2026/27 is 152,481.7

The Portfolio Holder for Finance, Councillor Mike Cox presented the report on the Council Tax – Tax base 2025/26 and outlined the recommendations as set out in the agenda.

RESOLVED that Council approved: -

(a)           the report for the calculation of the council’s tax base for the year 2026/27; and

(b)           pursuant to the report, and in accordance with the Local Authorities (Calculation of Council Tax Base) Regulations 1992, as amended, the amount calculated as the council tax base for Bournemouth, Christchurch, and Poole Council for 2026/27 is 152,481.7

Voting: Unanimous

RECOMMENDED that Council approves the Treasury Management Strategy 2026/27 (Appendix 1)

The Chair of the Audit and Governance Committee, Councillor Eleanor Connolly presented the report on the Treasury Management Monitoring for the period April to December 2025 and Treasury Management Strategy 2026/27 and outlined the recommendations as set out on the agenda.

Council was advised that the report set out the monitoring of the Council’s Treasury Management function for the period 1 April 2025 to 31 December 2025.

RESOLVED that Council approved the Treasury Management Strategy 2026/27 (Appendix 1)

Voting: Unanimous

RECOMMENDED that: -

(a)            The revenue budget for 2026/27 and provisionally for 2027/28 to 2028/29 are set using the following principles:

(i)         That dwelling rents are increased by 4.8 per cent (Consumer Price Index for September 2025 + 1 per cent) from 6 April 2026 in line with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government Policy statement on rents for social housing. 

(ii)       That garage, garage bases and parking plot rental charges are increased by 4.8 percent from 6 April 2026 and 11 per cent in parts of Poole so that charges continue to align.

(iii)      That leasehold services are charged to leaseholders in line with actual costs incurred.

(iv)      That shared ownership dwelling rents are increased in line with lease terms.

(v)       That the changes to service charges are agreed as set out in appendix 2.

(vi)      That HRA reserves are set at £4.8 million. 

(b)           That the Income and Expenditure budget for 2026/7 and provisionally for 2027/28 to 2028/29 as set out in Appendix 3 is agreed.

(c)           That capital budgets for 2026/27 and provisionally for 2027/28 to 2028/29are set using the following principles.

(i)       That the major project capital programme as set out in Appendix 4 is noted.

(ii)      That £0.5 million for the acquisition of individual properties (Acquire and Repair) and other annual capital budgets are agreed.

(iii)    That the planned maintenance programme as set out in Appendix 5 is agreed.

The Portfolio Holder for Housing and Regulatory Services, Councillor Kieron Wilson presented the report on the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Budget Setting 2026-27 and outlined the recommendations as set out in the agenda papers.

RECOMMENDED that: -

(a)           The revenue budget for 2026/27 and provisionally for 2027/28 to 2028/29 are set using the following principles:

(i)         That dwelling rents are increased by 4.8 per cent (Consumer Price Index for September 2025 + 1 per cent) from 6 April 2026 in line with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government Policy statement on rents for social housing.

(ii)       That garage, garage bases and parking plot rental charges are increased by 4.8 percent from 6 April 2026 and 11 per cent in parts of Poole so that charges continue to align.

(iii)     That leasehold services are charged to leaseholders in line with actual costs incurred.

(iv)     That shared ownership dwelling rents are increased in line with lease terms.

(v)       That the changes to service charges are agreed as set out in appendix 2.

(vi)     That HRA reserves are set at £4.8 million.

(b)           That the Income and Expenditure budget for 2026/7 and provisionally for 2027/28 to 2028/29 as set out in Appendix 3 is agreed.

(c)           That capital budgets for 2026/27 and provisionally for 2027/28 to 2028/29 are set using the following principles.

(i)         That the major project capital programme as set out in Appendix 4 is noted.

(ii)       That £0.5 million for the acquisition of individual properties (Acquire and Repair) and other annual capital budgets are agreed.

(iii)      That the planned maintenance programme as set out in Appendix 5 is agreed.

Voting: Unanimous

Councillor Felicity Rice joined the meeting at 7.32pm

RECOMMENDED that Council: -

(a)          Undertakes a recorded vote in relation to the following items as required by the Local Authorities (Standing Orders) (England) (Amendments) Regulations 2014;

(i)         Agrees that a net budget requirement of £452m, resulting in a total council tax requirement of £297.033m, is set for 2026/27 based on the draft local government financial settlement figures published by government in December 2025.

(ii)       Agrees an increase in council tax of 2.99% for 2026/27 in respect of the basic annual threshold and the collection of the additional social care precept of 2%.

(iii)      Confirms the key assumptions and provisions made in the budget as proposed and as set out in Appendix 3.

(iv)      Agrees the allocations to service areas in the budget as set out in Appendix 5.

(v)       Agrees the implementation of £14m of savings as set out in Appendix 5a.

(vi)      Approve that the current Council Tax discount for Beach Chalets on Mudeford Sandspit and Hengistbury Head is removed from 1 April 2026 onwards see appendix 5b.

(vii)    Approves the flexible use of capital receipts efficiency strategy as the mechanism for funding the council’s transformation related and invest to save expenditure as set out in Appendix 6 and potentially a capitalisation direction from government to cover the 2026/27 DSG borrowing costs should it be granted.

(viii)  Approves the capital investment programme (CIP) as set out in paragraphs 66 to 82 and Appendix 7.

(ix)      Approves the asset management plan as set out in Appendix 8.

(x)       Agrees the treasury management strategy (TMS) and prudential indicators as set out in paragraphs 84to 87 and Appendix 9.

(xi)      Accepts and supports the formal advice of the chief finance officer on the robustness of the budget and the adequacy of the reserves as set out in paragraphs 102 to 109and Appendix 10.

(b)             Agree to borrow £95.7m to fund the 2026/27 excess Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) High Needs DSG revenue expenditure above the government grant being made available. This is also based on previous assurance from government that the council can exceed its borrowing thresholds temporarily based on their commitment to return the SEND system to financial sustainability;

(c)              Delegate to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Director of Finance, Leader, and Portfolio Holder for Finance, the allocation of any additional resources that become available through the final 2026/27 local government finance settlement or any other means;

(d)             Approves the chief officers’ pay policy statement 2026/2027 for consideration and approval by the council in accordance with the provisions of the Localism Act 2011 as set out in paragraphs 111 to 113 and Appendix 12; and

(e)              Note amendments to the Council’s Shared Vision (Appendix 1b), updated to reflect changes to political and officer leadership, the list of milestones to reflect progress made in the last two years and areas of focus for 2025 to 27. The vision, ambitions and priorities remain unchanged.

The Portfolio Holder for Finance, Councillor Mike Cox presented the report on the Budget 2026/27 and Medium-Term Financial Plan and outlined the recommendations as set out in the agenda papers.

Councillor Rachel Pattinson-West moved an amended budget, this was seconded by Councillor Chris Rigby, copies of which had been circulated to all councillors and had been published as a supplement to the agenda papers prior to the meeting and a copy of which will be appended to the signed minutes in the signed minute book.

Council comprehensively debated the submitted budget amendment which proposed the removal of the Lead Member Special Responsibility Allowances from the 2026/27 proposed budget and the establishment of a ring-fenced Governance and Assurance Reserve.

Following discussion, the proposed budget amendment was put to a recorded vote and fell with voting 12:49 (6 abstentions)

For:12

Against:49

Abstentions:6

The meeting adjourned at 8.54pm and reconvened at 9.10pm

Councillor Patrick Canavan moved an amended budget, this was seconded by Councillor Eleanor Connolly, copies of which had been circulated to all councillors and had been published as a supplement to the agenda papers prior to the meeting and a copy of which will be appended to the signed minutes in the signed minute book.

Council comprehensively debated the amendment which proposed the removal of recommendation (c) which was then to be replaced with an alternative recommendation setting out that the additional council tax receipts from increasing the council tax by the additional 1.75% be allocated specifically for the Plan for Play, the Library Strategy, pothole repair and road surfacing with the remainder being allocated towards essential services reducing the draw down of unearmarked reserves.

Following discussion, the proposed budget amendment was put to a recorded vote and fell with voting 6:57 (4 abstentions)

For:6

Under the Local Government Finance Act 1992 the council as the billing authority must calculate a council tax requirement and basic amount of council tax for the following year. 

If the formal council tax resolution at Appendix A is approved the BCP Council Band D council tax will be £1,980.46 from 1 April 2026.

The Portfolio Holder for Finance 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 advised that under the Local Government Finance Act 1992 the council as the billing authority must calculate a council tax requirement and basic amount of council tax for the following year. 

Further to this Council was informed that if the formal council tax resolution at Appendix A was approved the BCP Council Band D council tax would be £1,980.46 from 1 April 2026.

Following debate Council moved to a recorded vote where the motion as set out below was carried with voting 40:9 (15 abstentions): -

For:40

Against:9

Abstentions:15

RESOLVED that Council approved the council tax resolution as set out in Appendix A.

Voting: For:40, Against:9, Abstentions:15

RECOMMENDED that Cabinet recommends to Council withdrawal of the offer of a £2.6m contribution to the Pokesdown Railway Station Improvements project.

The Portfolio Holder for Climate Response, Environment and Energy, Councillor Andy Hadley presented the report on Pokesdown Railway Station and outlined the recommendations as set out on the agenda.

Council was advised that prior notice had been received of a proposed amendment from Councillor Patrick Canavan in respect of this item which had been circulated to all members in advance of the meeting.

Councillor Canavan formally moved his amendment which was seconded by Councillor George Farquhar and read as follows: -

Cabinet recommends to council re-examination of the offer of a £2.6 million contribution to the Pokesdown Railway Station Improvement Project. This to be considered following further discussion with the rail companies and other interested parties and no formal commitment will now be made without a further resolution of Council.

Comprehensive discussion took place on the amendment whereby Members spoke in support of the importance of the accessibility issues being addressed at Pokesdown Station whilst highlighting the length of time the project had taken to get underway and the increased financial pressures on the council.

Following debate, the proposed amendment was put to the vote where it fell with voting: For:19, Against:38, Abstentions:5

Council then thoroughly debated the substantive recommendation as originally proposed.

RESOLVED that Council withdraw the offer of a £2.6m contribution to the Pokesdown Railway Station Improvements project.

Voting: For:38, Against:13, Abstentions:10

Councillor Jamie Martin declared an interest in this item and left the room for the discussion and voting thereon.

Councillor Rachel Pattinson-West left the meeting at 11.28pm prior to the vote on the substantive motion.

This report invites the Council to approve the appointment of Matthew Filmer  to the position of Interim Chief of Finance & Section 151 Officer in accordance with the Council’s Constitution and statutory requirements.

A summary of Mr Filmer’s skills, experience and employment history is shown within appendix 1 of this report.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Millie Earl 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.

Council was advised that the report invited the Council to approve the appointment of Matthew Filmer to the position of Interim Chief of Finance & Section 151 Officer in accordance with the Council’s Constitution and statutory requirements.

In relation to this Council was informed that a summary of Mr Filmer’s skills, experience and employment history was shown within appendix 1 of the report.

RESOLVED that Council approved the appointment of Matthew Filmer to the position of Interim Chief of Finance & Section 151 Officer.

Voting: Unanimous