Agenda and draft minutes

To receive any apologies for absence from Councillors.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors J Beesley, J Challinor, E Connolly, C Goodall, M Howell, P Miles, R Pattinson-West, K Rampton, V Ricketts, V Slade and M Tarling.

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.

Councillor Millie Earl declared an interest in Minute No.20 (Motion in accordance with Procedure Rule 10 – Protecting and Revitalising Library Services) and remained present for the discussion and voting thereon.

To confirm and sign as a correct record the minutes of the Meeting held on 25 March 2025 and the Annual Council Meeting held on 6 May 2025.

The Minutes of the Council meeting held on the 25 March 2025, and the Annual Council meeting held on 6 May 2025 were confirmed as a correct record.

To receive any announcements from the Chairman.

The Chairman updated Council on her activity since the last meeting of the Council, which included two events: -

-       The 150^th Anniversary of East Dorset Sailing Club, which was attended by HRH Princess Anne

-       Presenting the Chairmans Awards, the Chairman advised that this year the Mayors of the three towns of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole had been asked to nominate who they thought should receive an award from the Chairman with awards being given to:

Bournemouth – Darren Wiles

Christchurch – Mary Reader

Poole – Poole Borough Band

The Vice Chairman addressed Council congratulating the newly elected Mayors of the three Towns, Councillor Mark Howell – Poole Charter Trustees, Councillor Jackie Edwards – Bournemouth Charter Trustees and Councillor Vivienne Charrett – Christchurch Town Council.

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 28 May 2025 (mid-day, 3 clear working days before the meeting).

The deadline for the submission of a statement is mid-day Monday 2 June 2025 (mid-day the working day before the meeting).

The deadline for the submission of a petition is Monday 19 May 2025 (10 working days before the meeting).

The Chairman advised Council that given the significant number of questions and statements received the time limit for public questions and statements would be extended to 30 minutes.

Further to this the Chairman advised that questions and statements from those in attendance in person would be taken first and that in accordance with the Constitution where a question to which an answer is to be given is not reached within the time limit that a written answer shall be provided to the questioner within two working days of the meeting and a copy emailed to all Councillors. In addition, the Chairman advised that remaining statements would be published on the Councils website.

Public Questions

Public Question from Ian Beeching

Jeremy Bentham, the philosopher and jurist, contended that the moral code should provide the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people.

The widely held opinion by the majority of local people reveals the transport and infrastructure policies adopted by BCP Council since 2023 has been an unmitigated and extremely costly failure.

What is the Portfolio Leader going to do about rectifying the disaster of bringing about the longest continuous traffic jam the conurbation has ever seen, when will he stop spending millions of £’s on unused cycle lanes, while trying to placate a vocal minority - BHAT?  

As a democratically elected councillor - what right does Hadley have to ignore those ideals to put his own personal happiness above those of the greatest number of people in the BCP area?

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

Ian, the council’s Network Management Team which includes Street Works coordination, the Intelligent Transport Systems and Traffic Signals teams, work collaboratively to try and minimise disruption to the public.

30 years ago, long before I was a Councillor, I can recall that congestion was a growing problem in this area, it is not new or caused by me in the last 2 years despite what some posts on Social Media may tell you.

In recent years the council has been very successful in securing grants from central government for a variety of Local Transport priorities including

- the Traffic Signal Obsolescence Grant (TSOG)

- Challenge Fund for resurfacing,

- Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) for bus priority measures and new shelters with real time information and CCTV,

- Active Travel England Funds for walking and cycling

- and the Transforming Cities Fund (TCF) for walking, wheeling and public transport improvements.

Delivery of these improvements to the transport network, alongside utilities infrastructure emergency repairs and upgrades inevitably leads to disruption to the transport network.

In regard to your specific point about investment in “unused cycle lanes”, where new lanes have been installed the majority of the cost is often on traffic management and the resurfacing of the carriageway for all users. 

These grants have been secured from central government against national competition to deliver change in line with two national policies: Gear Change and Decarbonising Transport: A  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

Council is advised that a petition with 2000+ valid signatures has been received, requesting that:

‘BCP Council must reconsider their current local transport and infrastructure policies’.

The Issue

“As local residents and motorists we are both very concerned and apprehensive about the current transport and infrastructure policies being implemented by BCP council. This petition is to highlight our lack of confidence in the management of our local roads by BCP Council. We call on BCP Council to review their current local transport strategy and ensure in future that it is proportionate for all residents and not just those that support Active Travel.

Currently, local residents and businesses are suffering excessive delay, disruption and inconvenience caused by the poor planning and management of our local roads by BCP Council. The construction of extremely expensive and obviously under-utilised cycle paths, along with a huge numbers of local Roadworks , all being carried out at the same time with minimal co-ordination by BCP Council are real and major issues. As a result the quality of local residents lives are being severely and adversely impacted. Accessibility for the less mobile and elderly , who for them the car is their only option. is also significantly reduced. The repercussions of these BCP policies fail to deliver the expectations and needs of our local community. It's not just about congested streets and increased drive times, It’s not just about more carbon emissions rather than less, it's about how these BCP policies are impacting the safety, environment and overall quality of life in our region. As stated by the UK Department for Transport, each year we are seeing an increase in road traffic in Bournemouth, Christchurch, and Poole (BCP) area compared to the national average. This indicates that the existing policies are not mitigating transport issues and need to be reevaluated. Moreover, critical decisions affecting thousands of motorists and residents appear to lack the inclusivity and transparency that's required. We feel our voices and concerns are ignored. Therefore, we call for the BCP council to reevaluate current transport policies and provide a transparent, inclusive decision-making process and develop a partnership with all local  road users not just those of Active Travel. Help us champion the cause of improved infrastructural planning and strategies by signing this petition.”

Consideration was given to a petition calling on BCP Council to reconsider current local transport and infrastructure policies.

The petition organiser, Mr Steve Moody provided Council with background relating to the submitted petition following which Mr Moody to responded to a number of questions from Councillors.

Councillor Kate Salmon proposed that: -

Council resolves that this petition be referred to the LTP4 working group, in accordance with article 13.22.9 of the Constitution, for it to be considered by that body as a piece of evidence to be fed into the continued development of LTP4.

This proposal was seconded by Councillor Michelle Dower.

Council debated the petition, and it was:

RESOLVED that the petition be referred to the LTP4 working group, in accordance with article 13.22.9 of the Constitution, for it to be considered by that body as a piece of evidence to be fed into the continued development of LTP4.

Voting: For:51, Against:14

Councillor Tony Trent joined the meeting at 8.10pm

Councillor Jackie Edwards left the meeting at 8:36pm

The Chairman advised Council that the agenda order was being altered to now deal with Agenda Item 13, Recruitment of Chief Executive.

This report invites the Council to approve the appointment of Aidan Dunn to the position of BCP Council Chief Executive and Head of Paid Service in accordance with the Council’s Constitution and statutory requirements. 

A summary of Aidan’s skills, experience and employment history appears at Exempt Appendix 1 of this report.  

A copy of the job description for the post of BCP Council Chief Executive appears at Appendix 2 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 Aidan Dunn to the position of BCP Council Chief Executive and Head of Paid Service in accordance with the Council’s Constitution and statutory requirements. 

In relation to this Council was advised that a summary of Aidan’s skills, experience and employment history appears at Exempt Appendix 1 of this report, and that a copy of the job description for the post of BCP Council Chief Executive appears at Appendix 2 of the report.

A proposal was put by Councillor Patrick Canavan to move into exempt session, this was seconded by Councillor Chris Rigby and upon being put to the vote was agreed by a majority of members of the Council:

RESOLVED that: ‘Under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items 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.’

Comprehensive debate took place with members thoroughly discussing the recruitment process.

A recorded vote was requested but upon being put to the vote fell with the majority of members voting against the proposal for a recorded vote.

RESOLVED that Council: -

(a)          approved the appointment of Aidan Dunn to the position of BCP Council Chief Executive and Head of Paid Service; and

(b)          approved the appointment of Aidan Dunn as Returning Officer and Electoral Registration Officer for the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole electoral area. 

Voting: For:36, Against:25, Abstentions:3

The meeting adjourned at 9.38pm and reconvened at 9.57pm

Councillors Judy Bagwell, Judes Butt, Anne Filer and Chris Matthews left the meeting at 9.38pm

RECOMMENDED that Cabinet recommend to Council: -

Approval of the allocation of £7.3m to the Poole Bridge to Hunger Hill Flood Defence Scheme from Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) for the Financial Year 2025/26.

The Portfolio Holder for Climate Response, Environment and Energy, Councillor Andy Hadley presented the report on the Poole Bridge to Hunger Hill Flood Defence Scheme – CIL Funding Proposal and outlined the recommendations as set out on the agenda.

RESOLVED that Council approved the allocation of £7.3m to the Poole Bridge to Hunger Hill Flood Defence Scheme from Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) for the Financial Year 2025/26.

Voting: For:51, Against:1, Abstentions:6

RECOMMENDED that: -

Members approve the final content and design of the plan.

The Portfolio Holder for Children, Young People, Education and Skills, Councillor Richard Burton presented the report on the Children and Young People’s Partnership Plan 2025-2030 and outlined the recommendations as set out on the agenda.

RESOLVED that the Council approved the final content and design of the plan.

Voting: Unanimous

RECOMMENDED that Cabinet: -

(a)           recommends to Council that the draft BCP Local Plan be withdrawn from examination;

(b)           recommends to Council that the draft BCP CIL Charging Schedule be withdrawn from examination;

(c)           agrees to the publication of a new Local Development Scheme at Appendix 1 and submission to Government, subject to Council agreement to withdraw the draft BCP Local Plan under recommendation a.

(d)           agrees the updated Statement of Community Involvement at Appendix 2.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Millie Earl presented the report on the BCP Local Plan next steps, updated Local Development Scheme (LDS) and Statement of Community Involvement (SCI).

RESOLVED that Council: -

(a)          agrees that the draft BCP Local Plan be withdrawn from examination;

(b)          agrees that the draft BCP CIL Charging Schedule be withdrawn from examination;

(c)          agrees to the publication of a new Local Development Scheme at Appendix 1 and submission to Government, subject to Council agreement to withdraw the draft BCP Local Plan under recommendation a; and

(d)          agrees the updated Statement of Community Involvement at Appendix 2.

Voting: For:53, Against:0, Abstentions:6

Councillors Cameron Adams, Hazel Allen, Duane Farr, Claire Weight and Gavin Wright left the meeting at 10.51pm

RECOMMENDED that Cabinet: -

(a)           recommends to Council delegation of the investment of the £1.459m of Consolidated Active Travel Fund 2025/26 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, Councillor Andy Hadley presented the report on the Consolidated Active Travel Fund 2025/26.

RESOLVED that Council delegates the investment of the £1.459m of Consolidated Active Travel Fund 2025/26 to the Service Director for Planning & Transport in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Climate Response, Environment and Energy.

Voting: For:51, Against:1, Abstentions:1

Councillor Paul Hilliard left the meeting at 10.57pm

RECOMMENDED that Cabinet: -

(a)           recommends Council to accept the £1,500,817 from Arts Council England MEND Round 4 and delegates authority to the Director of Customer & Property to complete the formal acceptance process on behalf of the Council

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

The Portfolio Holder for Customer, Communications and Culture, Councillor Andy Martin presented the report on the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum Arts Council England (ACE) Museum Estate and Development (MEND) Grant.

RESOLVED that Council: -

(a)           Accepts the £1,500,817 from Arts Council England MEND Round 4 and delegates authority to the Director of Customer & Property to complete the formal acceptance process on behalf of the Council

Note: resolutions (b) and (c) were resolved matters by the Cabinet.

Voting: Unanimous

The Council’s constitution provides that Overview and Scrutiny (O&S) Committees must consider any requests for scrutiny made to it by Council and respond to Council if the response is rejected, with reasons.  This report sets out such a response.

The Chair of the Environment and Place Overview & Scrutiny Committee 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 the Council’s constitution provides that Overview and Scrutiny (O&S) Committees must consider any requests for scrutiny made to it by Council and respond to Council if the response is rejected, with reasons.

In relation to this Council was advised that the report sets out the response to the request for scrutiny made to the Environment and Place O&S Committee by Council.

RESOLVED that Council noted the response from the Environment and Place O&S Committee refusing the request.

Councillor Brian Chick left the meeting at 11.09pm

Motion to Full Council: Protecting and Revitalising Library Services

This Council notes that

• Staffing levels and reduced opening hours across BCP libraries have affected accessibility, especially for families, vulnerable residents, and older people.
• Hamworthy Library serves as a case study highlighting the wider consequences of underfunding library services.
• BCP Council is currently undergoing a community governance review in relation to the development of Town and Parish Councils across the conurbation.

This Council further notes that:

• The closure of the community café in Hamworthy Library, as part of recent budget cuts, has had a deep and disproportionate impact on the local community, despite limited fiscal savings.
• This closure led to the redundancy of valued staff.
• Footfall has significantly declined, and the library has lost its function as a vibrant social and democratic hub. Councillor surgeries, for example, are now less accessible and welcoming, with no option for a friendly cuppa and conversation.
• The café infrastructure remains in place, offering an opportunity for revitalisation with the right support.

This Council believes that:

• Libraries are vital to the social infrastructure of our communities — offering education, connectivity, wellbeing support, and civic engagement.
• Staffing and consistent opening hours should be protected and prioritised in future budget planning.
• Offering Café and community spaces within the same space as a library adds significant social value and should be supported,
• The potential for Town and Parish Councils to take on some responsibility for local library provision should be explored carefully, with attention to the short-, medium and long-term impacts on sustainability including the implications for staff, service quality, and community access.

This Council therefore resolves that in developing the Library Strategy the relevant Portfolio Holders be asked to consider the following:

1. Prioritise staffing and opening hours in future Library Strategy, to maintain and strengthen access to these vital public services across BCP.
2. Conduct a detailed review into the closure of the café at Hamworthy Library, including its social and economic impact, and explore options for reinstatement as well as exploring the provision of similar facilities elsewhere.
3. Ensure that the Library Strategy includes an assessment of the condition, usage, and community role of library services across the conurbation, with a focus on restoring or enhancing social space where needed.
4. Include an options appraisal outlining the impacts of devolving library assets or responsibilities to Town and Parish Councils, including potential risks, benefits, and support requirements ensuring that library services align with the ongoing community governance review.
5. That the final report should specifically reference the actions taken in response to these points.

Council was advised that one motion had been received on this occasion.

Protecting and Revitalising Library Services

The following motion was submitted in accordance with Procedure Rule 10 of the Meeting Procedure Rules and was moved by Councillor Peter Cooper and seconded by Councillor Patrick Canavan.

This Council notes that:

·       Staffing levels and reduced opening hours acrossBCP librarieshave affected accessibility, especiallyfor families, vulnerableresidents, and olderpeople.

·       Hamworthy Library servesas acase study highlightingthe wider consequencesof underfundinglibrary services.

·       BCP Councilis currentlyundergoing acommunity governancereview in relationto the developmentof Town andParish Councilsacross theconurbation.

This Council furthernotes that:

·       The closure of the community café in HamworthyLibrary, as partof recent budgetcuts, hashad a deepand disproportionate impact onthe local community,despite limited fiscalsavings.

·       This closure led tothe redundancy ofvalued staff.

·       Footfall has significantly declined, and thelibrary haslost itsfunction asa vibrant socialand democratichub. Councillorsurgeries, forexample, are now lessaccessible andwelcoming, withno optionfor afriendly cuppa andconversation.

·       The café infrastructureremains inplace, offering anopportunity forrevitalisation with the right support.

This Council believes that:

·       Libraries are vitalto the socialinfrastructure ofour communities— offering education, connectivity,wellbeing support, and civicengagement.

·       Staffing and consistent opening hours shouldbe protected andprioritised infuture budget planning.

·       Offering Café and communityspaces within the samespace as alibrary adds significant socialvalue and shouldbe supported,

·       The potential forTown and ParishCouncils to takeon someresponsibility forlocal library provisionshould beexplored carefully, withattention to theshort-, mediumand long-term impactson sustainability includingthe implications forstaff, service quality,and communityaccess.

This Council therefore resolves that in developing the Library Strategy the relevant Portfolio Holders be asked to consider the following:

1.    Prioritise staffing and opening hours in future Library Strategy, to maintain and strengthen access to these vital public services across BCP.

2.    Conduct a detailed review into the closure of the café at Hamworthy Library, including its social and economic impact, and explore options for reinstatement as well as exploring the provision of similar facilities elsewhere.

3.    Ensure that the Library Strategy includes an assessment of the condition, usage, and community role of library services across the conurbation, with a focus on restoring or enhancing social space where needed.

4.    Include an options appraisal outlining the impacts of devolving library assets or responsibilities to Town and Parish Councils, including potential risks, benefits, and support requirements ensuring that library services align with the ongoing community governance review.

5.    That the final report should specifically reference the actions taken in response to these points.

Councillor Andy Martin proposed an amendment to the motion with the deletions and insertions as set out below: -

ThisCouncil notesthat:

·       Staffinglevels andreduced openinghours across inBCP libraries,as  ...  view the full minutes text for item 20.

The deadline for questions to be submitted to the Monitoring Officer is 23 May 2025.

The Chairman sought Council approval due to the late hour for all Councillors questions to be replied to in writing with responses being circulated to all members, this was subsequently agreed without dissent.

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.