Agenda and draft minutes

To receive any apologies for absence from Councillors.

24 March 2026

Apologies for absence were received from: -

12 May 2026

Apologies for absence were received from: -

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 Chief Executive reminded members that dispensations had been granted to all BCP Councillors in respect of those items relating to SEND to ensure that all Councillors were freely able to fully participate in the debate on these matters and vote.

Councillor Andy Martin declared an interest as a Director of BH Live and remained present for the discussion and voting thereon.

Councillor Dawn Logan declared a pecuniary interest in relation to Minute No. 111 (Motion to Full Council: Regulating Short-Term Lets to Protect Housing, Communities and the Visitor Economy in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole) and advised that she would leave the room for the discussion and voting thereon, however as this item was dealt with at the reconvened meeting which Councillor Logan had submitted apologies for this was not necessary.

Councillor Bernadette Nanovo declared an interest in Minute No. 111 (Notices of Motion – Regulating Short-Term Lets to Protect Housing, Communities and the Visitor Economy in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole) and left the room for the discussion and voting thereon.

To confirm and sign as a correct record the minutes of the Meeting held on 10 February 2026 and the Budget Meeting held on 24 February 2026.

The Minutes of the Council meeting held on 10 February 2026 and the budget meeting held on 24 February 2026 were confirmed as a correct record, subject to the inclusion in the budget meeting minutes of the Standards matter raised by Councillor Judes Butt.

To receive any announcements from the Chairman.

The Chairman advised the Council that Councillor Gillian Martin had recently joined the Reform group and welcomed her to that group.

The Chairman advised the Council, with sadness, of the recent death of former Bournemouth Borough Councillor Carol Ainge. Councillor Millie Earl paid tribute to Carol Ainge’s strong work ethic and community focus, following which Councillor Alasdair Keddie spoke of the inspiration she had been as a ward councillor. Members then stood in silent tribute.

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 March (mid-day, 3 clear working days before the meeting).

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

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

Public Questions

Public Question from Joel Troy-Barnes

As a resident of Southcote Road, I am regularly exposed to street-based drug use including open crack consumption, prostitution, and associated violence outside my home, often continuing until the early hours of the morning, it seems to be progressively more violent over the last 2 months requiring nearly nightly calls to relevant services.

I would like to ask the Council: is this a known and documented issue in the Southcote road area, and if so, what multi-agency response is currently in place? Specifically, what measures are being taken to ensure the safety of residents living in directly affected streets, and has any consideration been given to increased visible presence or patrolling during the hours when these activities are most concentrated, particularly between midnight and 4am? This situation feels quite lawless after the hours of 8pm and only seems to be getting worse.

Response read by the Leader of the Council, Councillor Millie Earl on behalf of the Portfolio Holder for Housing and Regulatory Services, Councillor Kieron Wilson

I can confirm that our Public Protection team are aware of your concerns. Our anti-social behaviour team are working closely with Dorset Police on the issues you have mentioned. Recent action includes increased use of CCTV monitoring, additional police patrols to both deter ASB and kerb crawling, and tackle drug use and supply, and work with local residents and landlords to increase the reporting of concerns. We would encourage all residents to report any anti-social behaviour to our team or via the police online platform, so that we can work together to tackle issues.

Public Question from Katherine Avery (Read by the Chief Executive)

I would very much like the Council to consider the impact that short - term lets is having on the tourism industry. I have been running a bed and breakfast in Bournemouth for the last 12 years and this is having a big impact on business for B&B’s and hotels in the ward.

B&B's and hotels are fully compliant, we pay thousands every year to ensure the safety of all of our guests in our establishments, as well as paying business rates to BCP Council.

What does need considering are the short-term lets on Booking agents and the student halls selling rooms. Many of which are 10 metres from local B&B’s.

What is the Council going to strategize in the future to prevent the sudden influx of short-term lets in the BCP ward to prevent the smaller establishments closing?  Will there be more regulations in place?

Response by the Portfolio Holder for Destination, Leisure and Commercial Operations and Car Parking, Councillor Richard Herrett

Thankyou for your question,

The rise of Air BnB and other short term lets, are another example of where technology and changes in supply, have outstripped legislation and where local authorities need support from central government to deal with the consequences.

Currently the councils ability to enforce against short terms lets is limited in planning terms,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 101.

RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL the adoption of the Financial Regulations as shown in Appendix A and approved by the Audit and Governance Committee. The operation go live date to be 1 April 2026.

The Vice Chair of the Audit and Governance Committee presented the report on Financial Regulations – Annual evolution for the financial year 2026/27 and outlined the recommendations as set out on the agenda.

RESOLVED that Council adopt the Financial Regulations as shown in Appendix A and as approved by the Audit and Governance Committee. The operation go live date to be 1 April 2026.

Voting: Unanimous

RECOMMENDED that Council agrees the capital programme as set out in the report, including the budget allocations set against the capital funding available for the period 2026/27.

The Portfolio Holder for Children, Young People, Education and Skills, presented the report on the Children’s Services Capital Strategy 2026-2029 and outlined the recommendations as set out on the agenda.

RESOLVED that Council agreed the capital programme as set out in the report, including the budget allocations set against the capital funding available for the period 2026/27.

Voting: Unanimous

RECOMMENDED that Council: -

(a)           note the confidential minutes and the recommendations of the Cross-Party Strategic Asset Disposal Working Group meeting held on the 12 February 2026; and

(b)           approve the disposal on an open market basis of; 12-14 Commercial Road, Queensmead Care Home and Penn Hill Car Park on such terms to be approved by the Director of Finance, acting in his capacity as Corporate Property Officer, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance.

[PLEASE NOTE: Should Council wish to discuss the detail of the confidential appendices at Appendix 2 or Appendix 3 the meeting will be required to move into Confidential (Exempt) Session].

The Portfolio Holder for Finance presented the report on Asset Disposals and outlined the recommendations as set out on the agenda.

Councillor John Challinor proposed an amendment to recommendation (b) to remove the reference to Penn Hill Car Park so that recommendation (b) read as follows: -

(b)         approve the disposal on an open market basis of; 12-14 Commercial Road and Queensmead Care Home on such terms to be approved by the Director of Finance, acting in his capacity as Corporate Property Officer, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance.

This amendment was seconded by Councillor Gavin Wright.

Council comprehensively debated the proposed amendment, including the underutilisation of the car park and the potential impact on nearby shops.

Concern was also raised regarding the lack of ward councillor representation at the meeting, and it was noted in response that the working group was made up of cross-party representation.

Following debate on the amendment it was put to the vote whereby the amendment fell with voting:

For:19, Against:35, Abstentions:1

The substantive motion as originally proposed was then debated and following a request to vote separately on the individual sites was voted on as set out below.

RESOLVED that Council: -

(a)           noted the confidential minutes and the recommendations of the Cross-Party Strategic Asset Disposal Working Group meeting held on the 12 February 2026; and

(b)           approved the disposal on an open market basis of;

(1) 12-14 Commercial Road,

(2) Queensmead Care Home and

(3) Penn Hill Car Park

on such terms to be approved by the Director of Finance, acting in his capacity as Corporate Property Officer, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance.

Voting: (a) and (b) 1 and 2: Unanimous

            (b) 3: For:35, Against:15, Abstentions:3

RECOMMENDED that: -

(a)           Cabinet recommends to Council approval of the 2026/27 Local Transport Consolidated Fund programme as set out in Appendix A and delegates delivery to the Director of Planning and Transport in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Climate Response, Environment and Energy and Portfolio Holder for Destination, Leisure & Commercial Operations;

NOTE- resolution (b) was a resolved matter by the Cabinet

The Portfolio Holder for Climate Response, Environment and Energy, presented the report on Our Place and Environment: Local Transport Consolidated Funding Programme 2026/27 and outlined the recommendations as set out on the agenda.

RESOLVED that: -

(a)           Council approved the 2026/27 Local Transport Consolidated Fund programme as set out in Appendix A and delegates delivery to the Director of Planning and Transport in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Climate Response, Environment and Energy and Portfolio Holder for Destination, Leisure & Commercial Operations;

Voting: For:45, Against:3, Abstentions:6

NOTE- resolution (b) was a resolved matter by the Cabinet

Meeting adjourned at 8.37pm

Meeting reconvened at 8.56pm

Councillors Judes Butt, Mike Cox, Michelle Dower and Lawrence Williams left the meeting at 8.37pm

RECOMMENDED that Cabinet recommends to Council delegation of the investment of the £2.96m of 2026/27 active travel funding to the Service Director for Planning & Transport in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Climate Response, Environment and Energy.

The Portfolio Holder for Climate Response, Environment and Energy, presented the report on Our Place and Environment: Active Travel Funding 2026/27 and outlined the recommendations as set out on the agenda.

Councillor Gavin Wright proposed the following amendment:

The deletion of the current row 3 of Paragraph 10 on page 177 of the agenda relating to Poole Park to Broadstone Way Route Phase 1 and replace with: Improvement to the cycle route between Border Drive to Forlands Road in Turlin Moor, Hamworthy to improve walking and cycling from Policeman’s Lane to Poole Quay without the need to use Blandford Road. Subject to the proposed replacement being within the current proposed budget allocation of that row of £250,000.

This was seconded by Councillor David d’Orton-Gibson following which the meeting was adjourned briefly for officers to consider the amendment.

Meeting adjourned at 9.01pm

Meeting reconvened at 9.06pm

Council comprehensively discussed the amendment following which it was put to the vote and fell with voting as set out below:

Voting: For:8, Against:39, Abstentions:4

Council subsequently debated the substantive motion as presented, during which thanks were expressed to officers for securing the funding, further to this assurance was requested that should schemes not progress that the report be brought back to Council for further consideration.

RESOLVED that Council delegates the investment of the £2.96m of 2026/27 active travel funding to the Service Director for Planning & Transport in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Climate Response, Environment and Energy.

Voting: For:45, Against:3, Abstentions:6

RECOMMENDED that: -

(a)           Cabinet recommends to Council acceptance of the £5.64m Local Authority Bus Grant funding for 2026/27 from the Department for Transport; and

(b)           Cabinet recommends to Council to Delegate delivery of the Local Authority Bus Grant funded Bus Service Improvement Plan programme set out in Appendix 2 of this report to the Service Director for Planning and Transport in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Climate Mitigation, Energy and Environment.

The Portfolio Holder for Climate Response, Environment and Energy, presented the report on Our Place and Environment: Local Area Bus Grant (LABG) 2026/27 and outlined the recommendations as set out on the agenda.

RESOLVED that: -

(a)           Council accepts the £5.64m Local Authority Bus Grant funding for 2026/27 from the Department for Transport; and

(b)           Council delegates delivery of the Local Authority Bus Grant funded Bus Service Improvement Plan programme set out in Appendix 2 of this report to the Service Director for Planning and Transport in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Climate Mitigation, Energy and Environment.

Voting: Unanimous

RECOMMENDED that Cabinet recommends to Council to: -

(a)           approve the submission of an application to the Secretary of State for Transport to establish and operate a Lane Rental Scheme across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole; and

(b)           subject to Secretary of State approval, delegate the establishment and operation of a BCP Lane Rental scheme to the Service Director for Planning and Transport in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Climate Mitigation, Energy and Environment.

The Portfolio Holder for Climate Response, Environment and Energy, presented the report on Our Place and Environment: BCP Council Lane Rental Scheme and outlined the recommendations as set out on the agenda.

RESOLVED that Council: -

(a)           approved the submission of an application to the Secretary of State for Transport to establish and operate a Lane Rental Scheme across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole; and

(b)           subject to Secretary of State approval, delegate the establishment and operation of a BCP Lane Rental scheme to the Service Director for Planning and Transport in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Climate Mitigation, Energy and Environment.

Voting: Unanimous

Councillors John Challinor and Matthew Gillet left the meeting at 9.44pm

Councillor Gavin Wright left the meeting at 9.46pm

The Chairman advised the Council that it would now consider the additional recommendation arising from the Audit and Governance Committee held on the 19 March 2026, as circulated in the supplementary pack which, was to be brought before Council as an urgent item in accordance with the Constitution.

RECOMMENDED to Council the approval of authorised borrowing of the Council to accommodate the £1.8m financing for the extension at Two Riversmeet Leisure Centre proposal.

[PLEASE NOTE: Should Council wish to discuss the detail of the confidential appendix at Appendices 2, 3, 5, 8 and 9 the meeting will be required to move into Confidential (Exempt) Session].

The Portfolio Holder for Destination, Leisure and Commercial Operations, presented the report on the Two Riversmeet Studios and outlined the recommendations as set out on the agenda.

Council comprehensively discussed the item with members seeking assurances in respect of the robustness of the business case.

RESOLVED that Council approved authorised borrowing of the Council to accommodate the £1.8m financing for the extension at Two Riversmeet Leisure Centre proposal.

Voting: For:31, Against:9, Abstentions:8

The Council is asked to consider and approve the schedule of meetings for the 2026/27 and 2027/28 municipal years.

The Chairman of Council 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 and approve the schedule of meetings for the 2026/27 and 2027/28 municipal years.

The Chairman of the Licensing Committee addressed the Council highlighting to members that due to the nature of the Licensing Sub-Committee that there will be frequent occasions when additional meetings are required.

RESOLVED that Council: -

(a)           reaffirmed the schedule of meetings for the 2026/27 municipal year as previously agreed on the 6 May 2025 as attached at Appendix 1, picking up any in-year amendments; and

(b)          approved the schedule of meetings for the 2027/28 municipal year as attached at Appendix 2

Voting: Unanimous

Councillor Cameron Adams left the meeting at 10.06pm

Councillors Peter Sidaway and Paul Slade left the meeting at 10.07pm

Motion to Council: Protecting Enforceable SEND Support

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

Council notes:

1.    That Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) currently provide the primary legal mechanism through which children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) can secure enforceable support.

2.    That the Government’s proposed SEND reforms set out in the White Paper Every Child Achieving and Thriving introduce Individual Support Plans (ISPs) as the primary planning mechanism for many children, while linking EHCPs more closely to nationally defined Specialist Provision Packages.

3.    That ISP-based provision does not provide the same legally enforceable entitlement where support is not delivered.

4.    That the proposed reforms would increase the role of schools in funding and delivering SEND support.

5.    That national commentary and emerging legal challenge have raised concern that aspects of the proposed reforms may weaken existing legal rights and routes to challenge unmet need.

6.    That Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council faces significant financial pressures within its High Needs SEND budget.

7.    That there is concern nationally that SEND reform designed to manage system costs may weaken enforceable protections for children.

8.    That rising SEND costs nationally are widely linked to increasing reliance on private and independent provision, alongside shortages of publicly provided specialist places and services.

9.    That adopted, kinship and care-experienced children often experience developmental trauma which affects their educational engagement and support needs.

10.That recent changes to the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund (ASGSF) have reduced access to therapeutic support for adopted and special guardianship families.

11.That leading SEND legal practitioners, including Michael Charles of Sinclairs Law, have warned of a potential shift of decision-making power away from families within emerging SEND reforms.

12.That national SEND charities and professional bodies have welcomed the ambition of reform while calling for safeguards to ensure access to statutory support is not narrowed.

Council believes:

1.    That SEND reform should improve support without weakening families’ ability to secure provision through enforceable rights.

2.    That expanding access to support should not come at the expense of enforceable entitlement or meaningful rights of challenge.

3.    That support must be driven by need rather than affordability.

4.    That trauma-informed approaches are essential to supporting adopted, kinship and care-experienced children.

5.    That SEND reform should be aligned with wider support systems, including access to therapeutic provision.

6.    That addressing the financial sustainability of the SEND system should focus on strengthening publicly available provision and specialist capacity, rather than reducing children’s access to statutory support.

Council resolves to:

1.    Respond to the Government’s SEND consultation in a way that supports reform only where it:

·        retains EHCPs as the primary route to legally enforceable support

·        does not reduce access to EHCPs

·        does not shift responsibility for securing provision from the local authority to schools

·        does not allow financial pressures to limit children’s legal entitlement

·        does not weaken routes for families to  ...  view the full agenda text for item 111.

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

Protecting Enforceable SEND Support

The following motion was submitted in accordance with Procedure Rule 10 of the Meeting Procedure Rules and was moved by Councillor Joe Salmon and seconded by Councillor Kate Salmon.

Council notes:

1.           That Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) currently provide the primary legal mechanism through which children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) can secure enforceable support.

2.           That the Government’s proposed SEND reforms set out in the White Paper Every Child Achieving and Thriving introduce Individual Support Plans (ISPs) as the primary planning mechanism for many children, while linking EHCPs more closely to nationally defined Specialist Provision Packages.

3.           That ISP-based provision does not provide the same legally enforceable entitlement where support is not delivered.

4.           That the proposed reforms would increase the role of schools in funding and delivering SEND support.

5.           That national commentary and emerging legal challenge have raised concern that aspects of the proposed reforms may weaken existing legal rights and routes to challenge unmet need.

6.           That Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council faces significant financial pressures within its High Needs SEND budget.

7.           That there is concern nationally that SEND reform designed to manage system costs may weaken enforceable protections for children.

8.           That rising SEND costs nationally are widely linked to increasing reliance on private and independent provision, alongside shortages of publicly provided specialist places and services.

9.           That adopted, kinship and care-experienced children often experience developmental trauma which affects their educational engagement and support needs.

10.        That recent changes to the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund (ASGSF) have reduced access to therapeutic support for adopted and special guardianship families.

11.      That leading SEND legal practitioners, including Michael Charles of Sinclairs Law, have warned of a potential shift of decision-making power away from families within emerging SEND reforms.

12.      That national SEND charities and professional bodies have welcomed the ambition of reform while calling for safeguards to ensure access to statutory support is not narrowed.

Council believes:

1.          That SEND reform should improve support without weakening families’ ability to secure provision through enforceable rights.

2.          That expanding access to support should not come at the expense of enforceable entitlement or meaningful rights of challenge.

3.          That support must be driven by need rather than affordability.

4.          That trauma-informed approaches are essential to supporting adopted, kinship and care-experienced children.

5.          That SEND reform should be aligned with wider support systems, including access to therapeutic provision.

6.          That addressing the financial sustainability of the SEND system should focus on strengthening publicly available provision and specialist capacity, rather than reducing children’s access to statutory support.

Council resolves to:

1.        Respond to the Government’s SEND consultation in a way that supports reform only where it:

•         retains EHCPs as the primary route to legally enforceable support

•         does not reduce access to EHCPs

•         does not shift responsibility for securing provision from the local authority  ...  view the full minutes text for item 111.

The deadline for questions to be submitted to the Monitoring Officer is Monday 16 March 2026.

Question from Councillor Patrick Canavan

Can the Leader confirm whether BCP Council will be making a formal response to the current consultation on the proposals from the Dorset & Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Service?

Could she also confirm that this response will include highlighting concerns about the impact on frontline fire cover, the modelling used to justify the proposed reductions and the potential impact on areas of open heathland and on communities like Hamworthy? Will BCP Council also encourage the Fire Authority to consider alternative proposals that avoid station closures?

Response from the Leader of the Council, Councillor Millie Earl

Thank you for your question and for raising these concerns.

BCP Council has given a response to the current consultation on the proposals from the Dorset & Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Service. This has been drafted by officers from services including communities, emergency planning and environment to reflect operational matters relating to the proposed changes.

Supplementary Question from Councillor Patrick Canavan

Could I just request from the Leader that that is circulated please.

Question from Councillor Joe Salmon

As you will recall, Full Council originally considered a motion which set out a strong local role in supporting schools and developing a conurbation-wide approach to reducing the harms associated with smartphone use.

That original motion was subsequently amended by yourself and significantly narrowed before being passed without dissent.

Over a year has now passed since Council agreed the amended motion. However, there has been no visible progress reported to Members on:

•         Correspondence to Government

•         Engagement with schools

•         Discussion at Headteachers’ Breakfast

•         Input from the Youth Parliament

•         Any movement towards a consistent local policy

In practical terms, the situation in our schools appears unchanged. Mobile phone use continues to be widespread and the harms we collectively recognised at the time of debate remain present. 

Given this lack of progress, it is reasonable to ask whether the decision to water down the original motion reflected a reluctance or inability on the part of the administration to meaningfully engage with this issue.

I would therefore welcome a written update setting out:

•         What concrete actions have been taken to implement the motion as passed

•         What outcomes have resulted from those actions

•         What engagement has taken place with schools and young people

•         Whether any work is underway towards a consistent local approach and what the timescale of this work is

Full Council resolutions should translate into real-world action. Where they do not, it is important that Members and the public understand why they have been failed in this way.

I look forward to your response.

Response from the Portfolio Holder for Children, Young People, Education and Skills, Councillor Richard Burton

Thank you for your question, Cllr Salmon

I prepared this answer for the adjourned council meeting. Since then, there have been some further developments, and I will add these to the end of my answer.

Time was allocated to the topic of smart phone use in the Head Teacher Briefing on  ...  view the full minutes text for item 112.

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

The Chief Executive advised Council that he had taken one urgent decision in relation to an adjudication matter following a confidential report which was received by Cabinet on 26 March 2026 and which all Group Leaders had been briefed.