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 22 July 2025 and reconvened on 16 September 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 8 October 2025 (mid-day, 3 clear working days before the meeting).

The deadline for the submission of a statement is mid-day Monday 13 October 2025 (mid-day the working day before the meeting the working day before the meeting).

The deadline for the submission of a petition is Tuesday 30 September 2025 (10 working days before the meeting).

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

‘Stop Parish & Town Councils until 2027 – Let Residents Decide’.

We respectfully call on BCP Council to postpone any decision to introduce new parish or town councils until after the May 2027 local elections.

This delay will:

* Ensure transparency in the consultation process, which many residents currently feel lacks independence and impartiality.

* Allow the new Chief Executive, who has just taken office later this month, time to stabilise council services and review performance before making major structural changes.

* Provide a clear democratic mandate by allowing this issue to be debated openly as part of the 2027 local election campaigns, giving residents the opportunity to decide at the ballot box.

Residents are concerned that introducing a new layer of government could lead to higher council tax bills (due to uncapped parish precepts), increased bureaucracy and unnecessary division within communities. The current consultation is non-binding, yet many councillors have already expressed public support for these changes, raising doubts about whether residents’ views will truly influence the outcome. A consultation should never be a paper exercise, public trust in local government depends on decisions that genuinely reflect the will of the people.

RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL to approve the revised funding strategy for the Poole museums capital schemes which will mean an increase in the approved prudential borrowing of £1.3m.

RESOLVED that that the Audit & Governance Committee approves the annual report prior to its submission to Council on 14 October 2025.

RESOLVED that the Licensing Committee recommends a final version of the Statement of Licensing Policy for adoption by Full Council on 14 October 2025.

RECOMMENDED that: -

(a)           the Task and Finish Group community governance review final recommendations, as set out in paragraphs 49, 62, 74, 92, 104, 117, 128, 140, 152, 166 and 181 of this report be approved;

(b)          the Head of Democratic Services be authorised to make all necessary reorganisation of community governance orders to implement the changes agreed by Council; and

(c)           the Task and Finish Group continue to consider the transfer of civic and ceremonial assets, statutory services and precept requirements for year 1, for each new parish, on the basis of minimal transfer and precept, and a report be presented to full Council in due course.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to the size of the documents contained within the appendices these have been packed into two supplementary packs:

Pack 1 contains Appendix 1 – Appendix 2(I2)

Pack 2 contains Appendix (J1) – Appendix 4

RECOMMENED that Council: -

(a)              Notes the confidential minutes and the recommendations of the Cross-Party Asset Disposal Working Group meeting held on the 13 July 2025;

(b)              Approves the negotiation and agreement in principle of Heads of Terms for the leasehold disposal of the two parcels of land at Kings Park to AFC Bournemouth shown in Option C; and

(c)              Requires officers to return to Cabinet and Council with the proposed Heads of Terms for decision as soon as possible.

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

The Council is asked to consider and approve the review of the political balance of the Council, the allocation of seats on Committees to each political group, the appointment of Councillors on Committees and appointments to outside bodies following the result of the by-election in the Talbot and Branksome Woods Ward on 11 September 2025 and other political group changes.

Motion to Full Council: Standing United Against Racism and Division

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.

Council notes:

·       Recent far-right marches in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole that seek to spread hatred, fear, and division.

·       An increase in racist vandalism and graffiti which desecrate our communities and cost taxpayers thousands of pounds to remove.

·       The rising tide of racist activity nationally, which is being exploited for political purposes to divide communities.

Council recognises:

·       The invaluable work of anti-racist organisations, community groups, and residents who stand in solidarity against racism and bigotry.

·       The efforts of Dorset Police in managing demonstrations and addressing hate crimes in a challenging climate.

·       That racism, in any form, undermines cohesion, community safety, and the reputation of BCP as a welcoming, inclusive place.

Council believes:

·       That racist rhetoric, graffiti, and intimidation have no place in our communities.

·       That public resources should be directed towards supporting communities and improving services, not wasted on cleaning up hate-fuelled vandalism.

·       That BCP Council must show leadership in building unity, trust, and mutual respect across all communities.

Council therefore resolves to:

1.    Publicly denounce far-right marches and racist graffiti in BCP, affirming that hate has no home here.

2.    Develop and bring forward anti-racist policies, in partnership with schools, community groups, and faith organisations, to promote inclusion and challenge prejudice.

3.    Strengthen joint working with Dorset Police, community safety teams, and voluntary organisations to tackle racist activity and support victims.

4.    Recognise and thank the work of anti-racist groups and campaigners who stand against division and for equality.

5.    Request that the Leader of the Council writes to the Home Secretary and the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, calling for stronger national support and resources to tackle the rise in far-right activity and hate crime.

Motion to Full Council: Opposing Labour’s Digital ID Scheme

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

Council notes the recent announcement by Keir Starmer’s Labour Government of plans to introduce a mandatory Digital ID scheme for all UK residents.

Council further notes that the Government’s plan:

• Could require every resident to obtain a Digital ID to access public services and entitlements;
• Could risk criminalising millions of people, particularly older people, those on lower incomes, or those without access to digital technology;
• Raises significant privacy and civil liberties concerns; 
• Could result in an estimated £4.6 billion of pounds of taxpayers’ money being wasted on a massive IT project, with no clear benefit or safeguards.

Council believes that Labour’s scheme:

• Represents an expensive measure that will undermine public trust;
• Will do nothing to address the real priorities facing communities such as the lack of economic growth that our country is facing, the cost-of-living crisis that residents in Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole  ...  view the full agenda text for item 13.

The deadline for questions to be submitted to the Monitoring Officer is Monday 6 October 2025.

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