Agenda and draft minutes

To receive any apologies for absence from Councillors.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Hazel Allen, Adrian Chapmanlaw, Eleanor Connolly, Michelle Dower, Pete Miles, Margaret Phipps and Kate Salmon.

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.

Declaration of Interests were received as follows:

Councillors Sara Armstong and Bobbie Dove declared non-pecuniary interests in respect of agenda item 6:  Cabinet 17 December 2025 - Minute No. 96 - Dedicated Schools Grant. (DSG) High Needs Expenditure Forecast 2025/26. Councillor Armstrong and Dove advised that they would recuse themselves from the meeting for the duration of the item.

Councillors Richard Burton and Millie Earl declared non-pecuniary interests in respect of agenda item 7: Cabinet 17 December 2025 - Minute No. 98 - Waste Strategy for Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council 2026-2036.

To confirm and sign as a correct record the minutes of the Meeting held on 9 December 2025.

Consideration was given to the minutes of the meeting held on 9 December 2025.

In respect of minute no. 68 Councillor Farr advised Council that he had submitted a question that had been deemed inadmissible for the meeting.

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting held on 9 December 2025 be approved as a correct record.

Nem. Con.

To receive any announcements from the Chairman.

The Chairman advised Council of the death of former Borough of Bournemouth Councillor Dennis Gritt.

Councillors Canavan & Edwards spoke in memory of Mr Gritt before Council stood to mark his passing.

The Chairman then advised Council of her event attendances since the last meeting, including:

14 December - lighting of the Giant Menorah;

20 December - charity concert, with Cadence;

9 January - Hall and Woodhouse Community Chest Awards;

21 January Adult Social Care Awards;

25 January Holocaust Memorial event.

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 4 February 2026 (3 clear working days before the meeting).

The deadline for the submission of a statement is mid-day Monday 9 February 2026 (the working day before the meeting).

The deadline for the submission of a petition is Tuesday 27 January 2026 (10 working days before the meeting).

Public question from Phillip Stanley Watts

As someone who has worked for the NHS for over 30 years including through covid and mindful that many of my colleagues gave their lives i am asking the cabinet member whether BCP Council can build a memorial garden dedicated to those victims and NHS workers who suffered and worked through covid?

Response by the Portfolio Holder for Communities and Partnerships, Councillor Sandra Moore

Thank you for your question and for your dedication to our National Health Service, not only through the pandemic but through your 30 years of service.

There are Covid 19 memorials located within each of the three main NHS Hospital sites in Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch, marked by memorial stones and buried time capsules.

As a Council, we did support the Annual National Day of Reflection last year, and this year we are asking the CEO of University Hospitals Dorset if we can join them on this year’s National Day of Reflection which will be held on Sunday 8^th March.

I can also confirm that we are exploring a potential Covid-19 memorial in the Pocket Park in Boscombe which could be included as part of the landscaping in Phase 2 of the Towns Fund Development. My fellow Cabinet members and I thank you, and all of the staff and volunteers across BCP, who worked tirelessly to help support those in our community during the pandemic.

Public question from Soo Chapman

Whilst decarbonising prizes are being offered by Elon Musk and Prince William and the King releases his "Finding Harmony" film there's a shocking communication gap from our negligent government who've refused to publish their censored report on national security, global diversity loss and ecosystem collapse. Let alone televise it. 

 In a democracy where the world has acknowledged the need to prevent the incineration of the Earth, motivated and informed citizens should all be helping to make good choices to change our dire trajectory. Currently we're all at the mercy of disinformation by the well-funded fossil fuel lobby, the horrors of poisoned waters, unbreathable air, crop failures and Siberian temperatures. 

Please will BCP write a Freedom of information request to Defra about their censored report requesting the overdue need for a Decarbonising Plan to protect us all before the collapse of ecosystems predicted to the council in 2022? 

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

Soo, thank you for your question.

The Government did publish their “Nature security assessment on global biodiversity loss, ecosystem collapse and national security” on 20^th January 2026

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nature-security-assessment-on-global-biodiversity-loss-ecosystem-collapse-and-national-security

This strategic assessment explores how global biodiversity loss and the collapse of critical ecosystems could affect the UK’s resilience, security and prosperity.

It makes really sobering reading, and you are right that it has not attracted the publicity it needs.

Back in November, there was also an independent conference briefing on the National Emergency, organised by a group of scientists, which I know you highlighted.  

National Emergency Briefing on  ...  view the full minutes text for item 74.

RECOMMENDED that Council: -

(a) Approve a £14.3m increase in the 2025/26 high needs budget. This brings the forecast expenditure to £71.8m more than the grant made available by government as part of the DSG.

(b) Request the Corporate Director of Children’s Services implement the deficit management measures outlined in this report.

Councillor Richard Burton introduced the report and moved the recommendations as set out in the report.

This was seconded and, following debate, it was:

RESOLVED: that Council: -

(a)  Approve a £14.3m increase in the 2025/26 high needs budget. This brings the forecast expenditure to £71.8m more than the grant made available by government as part of the DSG;

(b)  Request the Corporate Director of Children’s Services implement the deficit management measures outlined in this report.

Voting: F54, A0 (9 Abstentions)

Councillors Dove and Ricketts left 19:39.

RECOMMENDED that Council: -

(a) note the consultation report, summarising feedback from residents and stakeholders;

(b) adopt the Waste Strategy for BCP Council 2026-2036 including the additional wording for paragraphs 5.1 and 5.2 as recommended by the Environment and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee; and

(c) approve the following service change to progress supporting actions set out in the Waste Strategy:

(i) removal of current separate kerbside battery collections where household batteries are collected in a clear bag placed on top of the kerbside recycling bin.

Councillor Andy Hadley introduced the report and moved the recommendations as set out in the report.

This was seconded and, following debate, it was:

RESOLVED: that Council: -

(a) note the consultation report, summarising feedback from residents and stakeholders;

Voting: Nem. Con.

(b) adopt the Waste Strategy for BCP Council 2026-2036 including the additional wording for paragraphs 5.1 and 5.2 as recommended by the Environment and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee; and

Voting: F46, A18, (2 Abstentions)

Councillors John Beesley and Bobbie Dove requested that their votes against be recorded in the minutes.

(c) approve the following service change to progress supporting actions set out in the Waste Strategy: (i) removal of current separate kerbside battery collections where household batteries are collected in a clear bag placed on top of the kerbside recycling bin.

Voting: F47, A16, (4 Abstentions)

Councillors Dove and Cllr Ricketts returned 19:49.

Councillor Trent arrived 19:55.

Council adjourned 20:24.

Council resumed 20:44.

To consider the recommendations arising from the Cabinet meeting scheduled for 4 February 2026. 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=6071&Ver=4

Recommendations from the Cabinet meeting held on 4 February 2026 were determined under agenda items 8(a) to (c). Reports were set out in the supplementary agenda.

It is RECOMMENDED that:

(a) Council approves the phased withdrawal of the council bus subsidy budget commencing May 2026 resulting in the service changes set out in Appendix 4.

(b) Council approves the use of Local Authority Bus Grant to fund the revised subsidised bus network as set out in Appendix 4.

Councillor Andy Hadley introduced the report and moved the recommendations as set out in the report.

This was seconded and, following debate, it was:

RESOLVED: that:

(a) Council approves the phased withdrawal of the council bus subsidy budget commencing May 2026 resulting in the service changes set out in Appendix 4;

(b) Council approves the use of Local Authority Bus Grant to fund the revised subsidised bus network as set out in Appendix 4.

Voting: Nem. Con.

It is RECOMMENDED that:

(a) The decision for the early years single funding formula (EYSFF) is delegated to the corporate director for children’s services in consultation with the portfolio holder for children, young people, education and skills.

(b) Council approves the mainstream schools funding formula detailed in Appendix 2.

Councillor Richard Burton introduced the report and moved the recommendations as set out in the report.

This was seconded and it was:

RESOLVED: that:

(a) The decision for the early years single funding formula (EYSFF) is delegated to the corporate director for children’s services in consultation with the portfolio holder for children, young people, education and skills;

(b) Council approves the mainstream schools funding formula detailed in Appendix 2.

Voting: Nem. Con.

It is RECOMMENDED that Council authorise:

1. Approval to proceed with Option 1 to enter the build contract for 68 homes and commercial floorspace, prior to executing an Agreement to Lease for the ground floor of Block A, to secure the total combined grant of £17.3m and redevelopment of the Hawkwood Road site within the external funder’s timescales.

2. Authority to market the non-residential property as general commercial, if the NHS is unable to commit funding for the ground floor of Block A and noting the full residential scheme is no longer deliverable.

3. Authority to proceed to sale or long leasehold of the ground floor commercial asset to ensure a funding strategy is secured to offset the cost of building.

[PLEASE NOTE: Should the Council wish to discuss the detail of the exempt Appendices at Appendix 1 and 2, it will benecessary to exclude the press and public and move into Confidential(Exempt) session.]

Councillor Kieron Wilson introduced the report and moved the recommendations as amended via circulated email.

Council agreed the proposed amendments

Voting: Nem. Con.

Council then moved to debate on the amended recommendation. During the debate, Council sought clarity from the Monitoring Officer on whether members of the Eastern Planning Committee were able to take part in the debate and vote on the item, as the Committee was due to determine an application on the use of the proposed commercial unit.

The Monitoring Officer advised that members of the Eastern Planning Committee were able to take part in the debate and vote on the item. Expressing a view or voting at Council would likely not be deemed predetermination, though ultimately this was a matter for those Members to consider.

Following debate, it was:

RESOLVED: that Council:

1. grants approval to proceed with Option 1 to enter the build contract for 68 homes and commercial floorspace, prior to executing an Agreement to Lease for the ground floor of Block A, to secure the total combined grant of £17.3m and redevelopment of the Hawkwood Road site within the external funder’s timescales.

2. gives authority to the Estates team to market the non-residential property as general commercial, if the NHS is unable to commit funding for the ground floor of Block A and noting the full residential scheme is no longer deliverable.

3. gives authority to the Corporate Property Officer to proceed to sale or long leasehold of the ground floor commercial asset to ensure a funding strategy is secured to offset the cost of building.

Voting: F64, A1 (2 Abstentions)

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 political group changes.

Councillor Millie Earl introduced the report and moved the recommendations as set out in the report. Council was advised that the appointments to the remaining vacances on the Licensing Committee and Eastern Planning Committee would be taken separately.

This was seconded and, following debate, it was:

RESOLVED: That

a)    the revised political balance of the Council, as set out in Table 1 to this report be noted;

b)    the number of seats on the Health and Adult Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee be reduced to 11 to 10 seats;

c)    the allocation of seats to each political group, as set out in Table 2 to this report, be approved;

d)    the appointment of Councillors to Committees and Boards, taking into account the wishes of each political group, as detailed in Table 3 to this report, be approved;

e)    Councillor Mark Howell plus one other member of the Council be appointed to fill the vacancy on the Licensing Committee referred to in paragraphs 12 and 13 to this report;

f)      a member of the Council be appointed to fill the vacancy on the Eastern BCP Planning Committee referred to in paragraphs 12 and 13 of this report;

g)    the allocation of seats to each political group to the outside bodies, as detailed in Table 4 to this report, be approved;

h)    the appointment of Councillors to the outside bodies, taking into account the wishes of each political group, as detailed in Table 5 to this report, be approved;

i)      Councillor Lawrence Williams be appointed to fill the vacancy on the Dorset Police and Crime Panel as shown in Table 5 to this report.

Voting: Nem. Con.

The Chair then sought nominations to the two Committee vacancies.

Licensing Committee:

Councillors Patrick Canavan and Duane Farr were nominated and seconded. Following a secret ballot, Councillor Farr was appointed to the Committee.

RESOLVED: That Councillor Duane Farr be appointed to the Licensing Committee.

Voting: Councillor Farr: 36, Councillor Canavan: 8 (1 abstention.)

Eastern Planning Committee:

Councillors Judes Butt, Gillian Martin and Julie Bagwell were nominated and seconded. Councillor Bagwell did not accept the nomination.

Following debate, Councillor Butt withdrew and Councillor Martin was appointed unopposed.

RESOLVED: That Councillor Gillian Martin be appointed to the Eastern BCP Planning Committee.

Voting: Nem. Con.

Cllr Weight left 21:35

Cllr Weight returned 21:45

This report is for information and provides the Council with updated details of various complaints received since the last report to Council against councillors which were upheld, but in addition, whereby the subject councillor has failed to comply with the remedies considered to be proportionate and appropriate by the Chair of and in consultation with members of the Standards Committee. 

Councillor Vanessa Ricketts introduced the report which was for information only.

The report was noted.

Councillor Salmon moved a motion to refer the item to the Constitution Working Group to review strengthening the powers of the Standards Committee when dealing with such matters.

The Chair advised that the motion would not be accepted.

Councillors Butt, Bagwell and Filer left 22:23

Councillor Williams left 22:24

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

APR1 Numberplate

That this Council resolves that the ownership of the Vehicle Registration number APR1, which used to be registered to the Poole Mayoral car, be transferred to the new Poole Town Council for zero consideration on the basis that it constitutes property of a historic nature relating to the Mayoralty of poole which should have been transferred to The Charter Trustees of Poole on the dissolution of the Borough of Poole.

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.

Live Traffic, Flooding and Infrastructure Resilience for BCP

This Council notes that during the recent aftermath of Storm Chandra, Dorset Council provided residents with a dedicated live traffic update service, offering real-time information on road closures, incidents and disruption. This proved vital for public safety, emergency response and travel planning during severe weather.

In contrast, BCP Council does not currently provide a comparable live or real-time traffic and road status page. Information available to residents is largely limited to planned roadworks or issue reporting, leaving no central, publicly accessible source of live information during emergencies.

Council further notes that recent flooding events across the BCP conurbation have caused significant disruption to residents, businesses and essential services. These events are not new or exceptional, and climate-related severe weather is increasingly frequent and predictable.

This Council is also concerned that sewer backflow and inadequate sewer network capacity during torrential rainfall continues to exacerbate flooding, property damage and public health risks. These issues are often insufficiently acknowledged or addressed within planning, infrastructure capacity assessments and development decisions.

This Council believes the absence of a live, coordinated traffic and road status system, alongside unresolved drainage and sewer capacity challenges, represents a serious gap in resilience and emergency preparedness.

This Council therefore resolves to:

1.      Ask Cabinet to set out the reasons why BCP Council does not currently provide a live, real-time traffic and road status service comparable to Dorset Council’s, including an assessment of costs, funding priorities and whether financial considerations alone justify the absence of such a service.

2.      Request that officers urgently explore the development of a publicly accessible, real-time system covering traffic disruption, flooding, road closures and emergency conditions across BCP.

3.     Call for a long-term, resilient approach that brings together all relevant agencies, stakeholders and partners including highways, emergency services, water and sewerage providers, planning authorities and neighbouring councils to address information sharing, sewer backflow, drainage capacity and infrastructure resilience during extreme weather.

4.     Require that sewer network capacity, flood risk and surface water management are explicitly and robustly addressed within planning policy and development decisions.

5.      Request a report back to Full Council setting out options, costs, responsibilities and timescales for delivery.

APR1 Numberplate

As the mover of the original motion, Cllr Howell requested that the motion be deferred to a future meeting of Council to allow for officers to prepare a report.

Council accepted the request.

Voting: Nem. Con.

Live Traffic, Flooding and Infrastructure Resilience for BCP

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 during the recent aftermath of Storm Chandra, Dorset Council provided residents with a dedicated live traffic update service, offering real-time information on road closures, incidents and disruption. This proved vital for public safety, emergency response and travel planning during severe weather.

In contrast, BCP Council does not currently provide a comparable live or real-time traffic and road status page. Information available to residents is largely limited to planned roadworks or issue reporting, leaving no central, publicly accessible source of live information during emergencies.

Council further notes that recent flooding events across the BCP conurbation have caused significant disruption to residents, businesses and essential services. These events are not new or exceptional, and climate related severe weather is increasingly frequent and predictable. This Council is also concerned that sewer backflow and inadequate sewer network capacity during torrential rainfall continues to exacerbate flooding, property damage and public health risks. These issues are often insufficiently acknowledged or addressed within planning, infrastructure capacity assessments and development decisions.

This Council believes the absence of a live, coordinated traffic and road status system, alongside unresolved drainage and sewer capacity challenges, represents a serious gap in resilience and emergency preparedness.

This Council therefore resolves to:

1. Ask Cabinet to set out the reasons why BCP Council does not currently provide a live, real-time traffic and road status service comparable to Dorset Council’s, including an assessment of costs, funding priorities and whether financial considerations alone justify the absence of such a service.

2. Request that officers urgently explore the development of a publicly accessible, real-time system covering traffic disruption, flooding, road closures and emergency conditions across BCP.

3. Call for a long-term, resilient approach that brings together all relevant agencies, stakeholders and partners including highways, emergency services, water and sewerage providers, planning authorities and neighbouring councils to address information sharing, sewer backflow, drainage capacity and infrastructure resilience during extreme weather.

4. Require that sewer network capacity, flood risk and surface water management are explicitly and robustly addressed within planning policy and development decisions.

5. Request a report back to Full Council setting out options, costs, responsibilities and timescales for delivery.

Council debated the motion and Councillor Earl moved an amendment to add the following: “That Council refers to the Environment and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee to investigate the following requests:”

This was seconded by Councillor Mike Cox.

Cllr Cooper accepted the proposed amendment and Council debated the substantive motion, where it was:

RESOLVED: That Council refers to the Environment and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee to investigate the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 83.

The deadline for questions to be submitted to the Monitoring Officer is Monday 2 February 2026.

Upon request from the Chair, Council agreed that Members would receive written replies to their submitted questions.

Voting: Nem. Con.

Question from Councillor Duane Farr

Has Children’s Services carried out any safeguarding triage, Section 47 assessment, or Continuum-of-Need classification in response to concerns about filming at school sites raised since October 2025?

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

CSC has not undertaken any safeguarding triage, Section 47 assessment, or Continuum-of-Need classification in response to concerns about filming at school sites since October 2025, as no specific child’s details have been provided indicating harm or risk. Without such information, CSC is unable to initiate an investigation or assessment in accordance with established procedures.

Question from Councillor Mark Howell

When I was in the changing room of the Dolphin Pool recently, I heard a BCP employee who was showing a potential new member around apologise for the state of the facility. He said it was due a refurbishment soon.

The Leader has previously committed to the facility’s renovation, having reneged on the previous Leader’s public commitment to build a new facility.

What is the timescale for renovation and when will the extent of the renovation be made public?

Response from the Leader of the Council, Councillor Millie Earl

The delivery of a new council leisure centre is a multi-year, multi-million-pound project. Despite the financial challenges and rising costs, if a funded solution could be found this would achieve immense social value and health benefits which often outweigh purely financial considerations in the long run. A funding strategy was investigated to support this ambition through use of the nearby car parks. After substantial due diligence, three refurbishment options and two residential development options were considered and evaluated against the set financing parameters.

Currently the development options do not provide a sufficient return, to fund the refurbishment or replacement of the leisure centre.  The size and shape of the available development site limits design options.  Available grant funding options are insufficient to bridge the viability gap and other local authorities delivering leisure centres, have seen costs double at build from concept stage. In 2024, three leisure centres were insourced, this included the Poole Dolphin Leisure Centre.

By taking full control back the Council has been able to establish the condition of the building and current facilities to inform a longer-term investment strategy. The Leisure team are reviewing the whole BCP Leisure portfolio to establish an investment strategy which will include options for sustaining the facilities. This reflects our priority in balancing the Council’s budget for 2026/27, whilst supporting the ongoing operations of this facility.

Question from Councillor Patrick Canavan

Given the government’s new commitment to end the placement of families with children in B&Bs beyond six weeks and its wider child-poverty strategy, can the Council set out our current position in relation to these issues?

Specifically, how many children in BCP are currently living in temporary accommodation, including B&Bs beyond the legal six-week  ...  view the full minutes text for item 84.

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

None.