Agenda and draft minutes

To receive any apologies for absence from Councillors.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Hazel Allen, Sara Armstrong, Julie Bagwell, Olivia Brown, Judes Butt, John Challinor, Peter Cooper, Mike Cox, Anne Filer, Crispin Goodall, Jeff Hanna, Jamie Martin, Pete Miles, Lisa Northover, Rachel Pattinson-West, Vanessa Ricketts, Kate Salmon & Kieron Wilson.

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.

No declarations of interests were made.

Council was reminded that dispensations had been granted to all dual-hatted BCP Councillors who sat on or worked in Town and Parish Councils in respect of the motion relating to the provision of assets for Town and Parish Councils. The dispensation had been granted to ensure that all Councillors were freely able to fully participate in the debate and vote on the matter.

To confirm and sign as a correct record the minutes of the Meeting held on 28 July 2026.

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting held on 28 July 2026 be approved as a correct record.

To receive any announcements from the Chairman.

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

-       YMCA charity event with the High Sheriff of Dorset;

-       Chinese University artificial intelligence team event at Bournemouth University.

The Deputy Chairman advised that he had attended the Roma Holocaust memorial event.

The Chairman then spoke in tribute to Cat McMillan, BCP Council officer and colleague, who had recently passed away. Council stood to mark Cat’s passing.

The Chairman welcomed Tim O’Gara, BCP Council’s new Director of Law and Governance and Monitoring Officer, to his first meeting of Council.

This report invites the Council to approve the appointment of the preferred candidate to the position of Corporate Director of Children’s Services in accordance with the Council’s Constitution and statutory requirements. 

A summary of the preferred candidate’s skills, experience and employment history is shown within appendix 1 of this report.

The Portfolio Holder for Children, Young People, Education and Skills, Councillor Richard Burton, 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 report invited Council to approve the appointment of Claire Shiels to the position of Corporate Director of Children’s Services in accordance with the Council’s Constitution and statutory requirements.

In addition, Council was asked to approve the appointment of Juliette Blake as Interim Corporate Director of Children’s Services until Ms Shiels could take up the post.

RESOLVED that:

1. Council approved the appointment of Claire Shiels to the position of Corporate Director of Children’s Services; and
2. Council approve the appointment of Juliette Blake as interim Corporate Director of Children's Services for approximately a four-month period commencing 4 August 2026, including the discharge of relevant statutory responsibilities, until the appointed candidate commences in post.

Voting: For:49, Against:1, Abstentions:0

Only those motions deferred from the cancelled 2 June 2026 Council meeting and the 28 July 2026 Council meeting are to be considered under this item.

The following motion submitted in accordance with Procedure Rule 10 of the Meeting Procedure Rules has been proposed by Councillor Sharon Carr-Brown.

This Council notes that:

• The Government is moving to strengthen controls on vaping and tobacco to protect children and young people.

·       The sale of vaping products to under-18s is illegal, yet proximity of vape shops to schools risks normalising vaping.

• BCP Council has a duty to promote public health and reduce health inequalities.

This Council believes that:

• Children should be protected from exposure to vaping products on their journey to and from school.
• Preventive action through planning, licensing, and public health-led policy is preferable to enforcement after harm occurs.

This Council resolves to:

1. Instruct officers to review planning policies and advise on lawful options to limit the location of vape shops near schools, colleges, and other children’s facilities.
2. Explore the use of business licensing and other regulatory powers to prevent clustering of vape retailers near schools.
3. Request a report outlining legal options, risks, and recommended next steps.
4. Write to the Secretary of State and local MPs supporting national powers to regulate vape retailer locations, in line with the Government’s direction.
5. Work with BCP’s Public Health team, schools, and community partners to monitor impacts and strengthen local prevention and cessation efforts.

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

This Council notes that:

• Residents in areas such as Hamworthy are experiencing persistent and severe traffic gridlock
• Prolonged vehicle idling and a high volume of HGV traffic contribute to poor air quality, increased pollution
• Residents, including children and young people, are exposed to fumes and poor air quality which are a significant public health issue, linked to respiratory illness, cardiovascular disease, and reduced quality of life.

This Council believes that:

• Residents should not be subjected to unsafe levels of air pollution as a result of traffic congestion.
• The cumulative impact of transport emissions requires urgent and coordinated action.
• Protecting public health, particularly that of children and vulnerable residents, must be a priority across the BCP conurbation.

This Council resolves to:

1. Commission a comprehensive air quality assessment in areas like Hamworthy.
2. Work with relevant agencies to assess the impact of sustained HGV traffic on underground infrastructure and local roads.
3. Develop and implement a time-bound action plan to reduce congestion, improve air quality, and protect public health.
4. Use the findings from this work to inform a wider BCP-wide strategy on air quality and traffic congestion in similarly affected communities.
   
   

The following motion was submitted in accordance with Procedure Rule 10 of the Meeting Procedure Rules and was moved by Councillor Sharon Carr-Brown and seconded by Councillor Patrick Canavan.

This Council notes that:

• The Government is moving to strengthen controls on vaping and tobacco to protect children and young people.
• The sale of vaping products to under-18s is illegal, yet proximity of vape shops to schools risks normalising vaping.
• BCP Council has a duty to promote public health and reduce health inequalities.

This Council believes that:

• Children should be protected from exposure to vaping products on their journey to and from school.
• Preventive action through planning, licensing, and public health-led policy is preferable to enforcement after harm occurs.

This Council resolves to:

1. Instruct officers to review planning policies and advise on lawful options to limit the location of vape shops near schools, colleges, and other children’s facilities;
2. Explore the use of business licensing and other regulatory powers to prevent clustering of vape retailers near schools;
3. Request a report outlining legal options, risks, and recommended next steps;
4. Write to the Secretary of State and local MPs supporting national powers to regulate vape retailer locations, in line with the Government’s direction;
5. Work with BCP’s Public Health team, schools, and community partners to monitor impacts and strengthen local prevention and cessation efforts.

Following debate, it was:

RESOLVED: That this Council resolves to:

1. Instruct officers to review planning policies and advise on lawful options to limit the location of vape shops near schools, colleges, and other children’s facilities;
2. Explore the use of business licensing and other regulatory powers to prevent clustering of vape retailers near schools;
3. Request a report outlining legal options, risks, and recommended next steps;
4. Write to the Secretary of State and local MPs supporting national powers to regulate vape retailer locations, in line with the Government’s direction;
5. Work with BCP’s Public Health team, schools, and community partners to monitor impacts and strengthen local prevention and cessation efforts.

Voting: Nem.Con.

The following motion was submitted in accordance with Procedure Rule 10 of the Meeting Procedure Rules by Councillor Peter Cooper. In Councillor Cooper’s absence the motion was moved by Councillor Patrick Canavan and seconded by Councillor Anne-Marie Moriarty.

Councilor Canavan advised Council that an amendment to the motion had been received and agreed by the moved and seconder, so that the proposed motion read:

This Council notes that:

• Residents in areas such as Hamworthy are experiencing persistent and severe traffic gridlock
• Prolonged vehicle idling and a high volume of HGV traffic contribute to poor air quality, increased pollution
• Residents, including children and young people, are exposed to fumes and poor air quality which are a significant public health issues, linked to respiratory illness, cardiovascular disease, and reduced quality of life.

This Council believes that:

• Residents should not be subjected to unsafe levels of air pollution as a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 25.

Only questions deferred from the Council meeting held on 28 July 2026 are to be considered under this item.

Question from Cllr Patrick Canavan on behalf of Cllr Peter Cooper

“Can the administration explain why the recent rollout of the food waste collection service has been so inconsistent and disruptive across our communities?

Residents have experienced missed or late bin deliveries, confusion over start dates, and collections not taking place on the scheduled day. These issues are not limited to food waste; similar problems are being reported with black and blue bin collections.

On top of this, there are growing concerns about the speed of collection vehicles in residential areas, and bins being left on pavements—blocking access for families, wheelchair users, and those with walking aids.

Councillors are also having to chase updates rather than being proactively informed, leaving residents without clear answers.

Can you set out:

1. What has gone wrong across all waste collection services,
2. What immediate steps are being taken to stabilise performance,
3. How safety concerns around vehicle speeds are being addressed;
4. How the Council will ensure clear communication and regular updates to both Councillors and residents; and
5. When can residents expect a reliable, consistent service across food, recycling and black bin collection.

Response from Cllr Andy Hadley, Portfolio Holder for Climate Response, Environment and Energy

Thank you for your detailed question. I’m afraid the question and therefore answer is long, and I will speak as quickly as I can.

The National “simpler recycling” reforms place a range of new responsibilities on all local authorities, with the intention to increase the proportion of waste that is recycled, and to reduce the residual waste going to landfill or incineration. There are many positive aspects to the changes, but also disruption.

I am sorry that the reliability has not been the service that we want for our residents. The BCP team worked hard and met the April 2026 target for separate food waste. Some other authorities failed to order equipment or trucks in time. The team have been responsive in trying to fault-find issues, which are multi-faceted.

Funding from government was very tight, and it quickly became clear that take-up of the service in Poole exceeded the estimates based on historic food collection in Bournemouth.

A further truck was purchased, which has enabled the rounds to be rebalanced to better match demand. Rebalancing is an ongoing process as the service beds in. We have also seen an increase in presentation of food waste in the Bournemouth and Christchurch areas with the media coverage.

Despite the reports of missed bins and dissatisfaction, the tonnage of Food Waste collected has risen in each of the first three months of operation, to 652 tonnes in June 26, compared to 348 tonnes last year, so 13% of the weight of the black residual waste bins is being diverted to Anaerobic digestion, producing gas feeding into the gas mains, and soil improved for local farms.

When food waste trucks are full, crews on the rounds in Poole experience extended delays in getting from the round area over to Hurn, empty, and getting back.

We  ...  view the full minutes text for item 26.

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

None.