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).
Minutes:
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 Greener, Cleaner Britain.
Post-scheme monitoring indicates that there is a site dependent increase in cycle usage on the TCF schemes, averaging 13%, with one site seeing a 61% increase.
For pedestrians, increases are indicating an average of 28% increase, again site dependent
This is not about my personal happiness, but about supporting safety and choice for road users rendered vulnerable by the actions of others, and the huge impacts onto families affected by trauma or death on the highway.
Public Question from Gabriele Sanger-Stevens
Last year the Echo ran a series of stories featuring the Ark Cafe business in Poole Park. The articles advised of substantial business loss and demands for the opening of Whitecliff Gate, that being the cause for these losses. “Legal action” and “very expensive proceedings” to be brought were the quotes used.
Can the Council detail what actions have been received from that or any other business and is the Council, or it’s appointed representatives, in any ongoing negotiations involving Whitecliff Gate?
Response by the Portfolio Holder for Climate Response, Environment and Energy, Councillor Andy Hadley
Gabriele, I am advised that beyond an initial letter, and the press coverage you mention, no further actions have been received from this or any other business in the park.
Public Question from Marian Cousins
Has BCP council asked for (or received) any feedback from the emergency services regarding traffic delays that they have experienced, as a result of several major roads being narrowed due to Cycling Infrastructure projects, such as Whitelegg Way, Wallisdown and Wimborne Road, including bollards and road closures eg: at Poole Quay.
Recently a number of SWAST paramedics have stated on social media platforms that there is a risk to life as a result of these changes.
Has there been any confirmed adverse impact to serious Police or Fire Service incident responses, or to health conditions and/or any additional deaths due to the increased Ambulance journey times, which all our emergency services are now subjected to because of the reduced road widths? Please share the sources used to support your response.
Response by the Portfolio Holder for Climate Response, Environment and Energy, Councillor Andy Hadley
Marian, the council engages with emergency services who are a statutory consultee for proposed changes to the highway.
These are the same people who attend the serious injuries or fatalities on our highways caused by excessive speed and careless/reckless driving. They know the true outcomes of providing separate protected space.
Whilst members of the public and individual emergency service practitioners may report their views on social media, if they have genuine concerns, these should be raised internally so that these can be reflected through from their organisations.
There have been no confirmed adverse impacts reported to the council from the emergency services.
There is nothing to share.
Public Question from Michael Wescombe
Assuming that the Council supports the universally accepted concept that movement of people is the sign of a vibrant economy, and yet wishes to reduce traffic on our roads, then surely the Council has to accept the idea of mass movement in the form of public transport, primarily bus services in our conurbation, and the associated infrastructure, is the solution to encourage residents of BCP to forego their cars rather than providing for relatively small numbers of cyclists, and accordingly this should be reflected in Council spending, however sourced. Does the Council accept that this should be so?
Response by the Portfolio Holder for Climate Response, Environment and Energy, Councillor Andy Hadley
Michael, thanks for your question. There are many signs of a vibrant economy, and given the need to travel has in some instances been replaced by virtual meetings, a busy and overcrowded highway may not be the best measure.
The Council does work closely with the bus and train operators. We regularly meet with Go-Southcoast (trading locally as MoreBus), and in the last couple of weeks I have had 3 meetings with Network Rail, Southwest Trains, Highways England and Ministers from DfT to press the case for investment in our area.
In particular, through our Enhanced Bus Quality Partnership, we work closely with bus companies, and attracted a sizeable grant to develop services. Our local Bus patronage bucks the national trend of decline, and is being enhanced both through the BSIP and measures in the Transforming Travel programme.
However, supporting Walking, Cycling and micromobility is also important for short journeys, and for first/last mile connections to public transport.
In short, the Council attempts to balance the many demands on use of our public space for mobility.
Public Question from Kevin Diffey
Air pollution has been reported to be a problem in BCP. This is only in a limited number of areas with high buildings and slow-moving traffic. The reduction of road widths has made this problem worse.
It has been suggested that the LTNs and an ULEZ are being considered.
LTNs will force more traffic on to the already congested roads, and introducing an ULEZ on BCP would not help the situation, as today, the majority of vehicles are ULEZ compliant. The cost of cameras and an online payment system may not be covered by fees so increasing costs for BCP residents.
So what does the council intend to do to reduce pollution levels within BCP? Surely the solution is to keep the traffic moving whilst maintaining our trees and natural environment which filter pollutants and absorbs CO2.
Response by the Portfolio Holder for Climate Response, Environment and Energy, Councillor Andy Hadley
Kevin, air pollution comes from a number of sources, road traffic is a significant one, but burning of fossil fuels for heating is another.
The reduction of carriageway widths has in many cases been achieved without removing lanes, to provide separated space for walking and cycling. If we can encourage some trips to be made without the car, this has a far more positive impact on Air Quality than attempting to “keep traffic moving”, because we have a very constrained urban environment. “Keeping cars moving” is often at the expense of pedestrians attempting to cross the street, or those attempting to exit from side roads.
Low Traffic Neighbourhoods are proven to remove traffic, just as new roads induce extra traffic, because people make individual decisions based on safety and convenience. This will reduce congestion, increase air quality, and also provide opportunities for planting more street trees to filter pollutants and absorb CO2 further.
Public Question from Mark White
The Leader's Portfolio Holder for Finance has publicly stated that the formation of town councils is "a government requirement "this is completely untrue", it's government guidance only! The administration has stated that new town councillors will not be paid, this is also not true. Town councils can pay allowances to council members, ask Cllr Cox where his comments are documented in Christchurch Town council minutes
A submission for a "Poole Town Council" was NEVER put forward by the public but created by the working party at Stage 2 of the consultation, in turn they did reject many other small parish Councils submissions, Canford Cliffs to wealthy, Hamworthy not a distinct community, Hamworthy the oldest community in Poole trumped by Broadstone.
The leader argues the policy of transparency, but how can we trust the leader when there is a total lack of transparency about parish and town councils.
Response by the Leader of the Council, Councillor Millie Earl
Thank you for your question Mr White and welcome to council this evening. The findings of the Task & Finish group have been published as part of the consultation and I can confirm that Poole was one of the most popular submissions to the community consultation. The findings show that the submission received regarding Broadstone was detailed and persuasive and came from an already established Neighbourhood Forum, and provided evidence of a strong community identity with details of activities, projects and other community-based events that are held separately to the rest of Poole.
The Task and Finish Group considered the proposals for other areas but felt that there was insufficient evidence to demonstrate that the proposals would lead to, or bring about, improved community engagement, cohesion or local democracy which oppose the aims of the Community Governance Review. In many cases, the proposed boundaries sub-divided key retail areas and community facilities and, as a result, the submissions were not supported at that stage. This is all in the findings which are public which you may wish to refer to if you feel there is a lack of transparency as you may find many of the answers to your questions are already available.
Public Question from Dr Lisa Lobo read by Niamh Trickett
Does BCP council agree that the Dorset County Pension Fund should not be investing in companies that enable and support war crimes nor companies responsible for the worsening climate emergency? The Dorset County Pension Fund has £173.9 million pounds invested in companies complicit in Israel’s breaches of international law including maintaining Israel’s apartheid regime and its illegal occupation of Palestinian territories (as determined by the ICJ) and now the horrific mass slaughter of tens of thousands of civilians - including over eighteen thousand children, and the enforced famine which the UK government has also recently condemned as “morally unjustifiable” and “abominable”. Our pension fund also invests over £75 million in fossil fuel holdings which are responsible for the climate and ecological collapse that this council recognises to be an emergency. What measures will BCP council take to ensure that public funds are not being invested in companies supporting these atrocities?
Response by the Portfolio Holder for Finance, Councillor Mike Cox
Thank you for question on such an important subject. I am sure all members of the Council deplore the loss of life resulting from this conflict and all the many other conflicts currently happening around the world.
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council is part of the Dorset Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) which is administered by Dorset Council.
Dorset Council has in turn delegated its responsibilities as a Local Government Pension Scheme administering authority to a Pension Fund Committee, in common with most other LGPS administering authorities.
Your concerns will be considered by the Pension Fund Committee at its next meeting on 24 June 2025.
The Dorset Pension Fund Committee’s approach to fossil fuels, as set out in its Investment Strategy Statement requires all external investment managers to consider and manage all financially material risks arising from environmental issues, including those associated with climate change.
At its meeting in September 2020, the Dorset Pension Fund Committee agreed to a strategy of decarbonisation meaning a reduction in allocations of investment to companies which are high carbon emitters and looking to influence the demand for fossil fuels and their financing, not just their supply. Significant decarbonisation has been and will continue to be achieved through the transition of assets to the management of Brunel Pension Partnership. Approximately 10% of the pension fund’s assets are invested in Brunel’s global sustainable equities fund, with all other actively managed Brunel funds committed to a policy of a 7% year on year reduction in their carbon footprint.
The pension fund no longer has any direct investments in individual companies, including ‘fossil fuel’ companies, but it does have indirect exposure to such companies through its holdings in pooled investment vehicles. As at 31 December 2024, the value of the pension fund’s investments in companies primarily involved in the exploration, production, mining and/or refining of fossil fuels was estimated at approximately £68m (1.7% of total investment assets).
Public Question from Sarah Ward
For 19 months we have witnessed daily images of families in Gaza being bombed, ethnically cleansed and starved, whilst in the West Bank and Occupied East Jerusalem atrocities continue with apparent impunity. Whilst the ICC continues its’ investigation against Israel for probable genocide and other crimes against humanity including apartheid, BCP council chooses to continue to use the Dorset County Pension fund. In doing so it is contributing to the *£173 million of complicit investments in Israel’s breaches of international law and Palestinian human rights abuses. What specific actions are the council taking to ensure that funds being invested into any pension scheme are not being used to fund war crimes and crimes against humanity and thereby risking the council potentially being complicit in the breaking of international law?
Response by the Portfolio Holder for Finance, Councillor Mike Cox
As set out in response to the previous question the matters raised will be discussed at the next Dorset Pension Fund Committee on 24 June 2025.
Public Question from Michael Wescombe
Can you explain how the following actions support the concept of supporting public transport?
· Road narrowing, especially at junctions, and elimination of segregated turning lanes, which delay buses, cause increased operating costs and make bus driving more stressful. (e.g. Lansdowne, Wimborne Road (Poole), Wallisdown Road).
· Reduction of coach picking up bays to provide electric charging points at the Lighthouse and in Old Orchard.
· Bike parking on the quay roundabout creating difficulties for coaches turning resulting in a need to reverse in an area with high pedestrian traffic.
· Uneven road levels which worsen the bus passenger experience, e.g. Serpentine Road/ Wimborne Road roundabout.
· Provision of floating bus stops where passengers step out into a bicycle lane, especially where the wheelchair ramp has to be employed.
· Placing bus stops at Oakdale New Inn contrary to established design principles of siting them past stops in the opposite direction to reduce collision risks.
Response by the Portfolio Holder for Climate Response, Environment and Energy, Councillor Andy Hadley
Michael, your question demonstrates the challenges that the Council face. We have limited space and need to attempt to balance conflicting priorities.
Re : Road Narrowing, and elimination of turning lanes:
The lanes are often being narrowed to enable bus or bike lanes. There are many considerate people using all forms of transport, but motorists seeing the occasional right turning vehicle holding up a queue will often give them space. Dedicated right turn lanes usually compromise pedestrian and cycle space at junctions.
We have been working with the bus company on priority measures, including removing bus laybys, so that buses do not lose their place in congested traffic.
Removing segregated right turn lanes supports major flow movements but is a balance of how space is allocated across traffic modes.
On Floating bus stops: putting cycle bypasses behind bus stops, rather than outside the bus helps reduce potential conflict and danger. There are ramps and zebra crossings to highlight the priority to users.
The geometry of available road space is often difficult to fit the optimal arrangements. The bus stop location at Oakdale New Inn was based on longstanding location, and to attempt to best serve the sheltered housing dwellings nearby.
Public Question from Mark White
You are asking the residents of BCP and more importantly Poole the biggest single question since LGR. The issue of adding a new layer of government should not be addressed only by means of a consultation alone. This administration has a bad reputation when it comes to consultation with residents widely cynical with this administration. The public are aware that any responses given are largely ignored.
With many having given their lives so we can live in a democracy, will the leader commit to putting this to the public vote either now or in 2027. If this is about greater democracy as she constantly argues and giving people more of a say let us the people decide via the ballot box in a referendum. If not, please tell me and the whole of council here tonight why you will not allow a vote?
Response by the Leader of the Council, Councillor Millie Earl
As Councillors who have been elected by their communities, we have to take into account a wide range of views in decision making but we also have to balance those against the priorities which we were elected to deliver.
Here I have the Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole Liberal Democrat priority publication which was widely distributed by me, my fellow candidates and our campaign volunteers in the 2023 BCP Council election. It clearly states that we will create community councils to put power back into the hands of residents and work positively with Parish Councils to get the best for residents. This is because as Lib Dems and also our colleagues across the Three Towns Alliance, we believe in localism, decision making at grass roots, community level and as opponents to local government reorganisation which was thought up and delivered by our Conservative colleagues at the time and some of whom who are now independent and Poole Engage. We want to see local people making decisions on the things that affect them, their families and their neighbourhoods.
Having won the popular vote in 2023 with 62,000 votes on this very clear mandate, we have to take into consideration that when we make decisions on the Community Governance Review, that residents asked for that in 2023.
Public Statements
Public Statement from Russell Trent
I'm Russell Trent, the new chair for BH Active Travel, taking over from Lucie Allen.
Lucie has been the driving force behind active travel for many years and I thank her for all her efforts.
BHAT is about building positive relationships with Councillors and Officers to help create an active travel network of cycle lanes, reliable bus services and safer pavements.
Thank you to the current administration and officers for the recently completed and ongoing active travel projects, a massive improvement also for new 20 mph zones, I welcome them making it safer for everyone including children walking and cycling to school.
We understand budgets are tight and funding is limited but without the infrastructure in place to make cycling safer and bus travel more reliable we face a car-based grid locked crisis across this area.
Please, think big, be brave, do the right thing and stick to the plan!
Public Statement from Azlin Bloor
BCP Council must recognise its legal obligations under the Genocide Convention (1948).
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has determined that there is a plausible case that Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinian people.
As a public authority, BCP has a duty to prevent complicity in genocide, including through its pension fund investments. Continuing to invest in companies that supply arms and equipment to the Israeli military risks breaching this obligation.
We urge BCP to divest its pension fund from all such companies and to take all possible steps to avoid legal complicity in these atrocious crimes.
Upholding international law is not optional - it is a binding duty for all public bodies in the UK.
Public Statement from Stephanie Enderby
BCP Pension Fund holds £2.0 million in Honeywell, a key supplier of components for bombs, missiles, and drones used in Israel’s military assaults on Gaza. Honeywell’s technology has been directly linked to the destruction of homes, hospitals, and schools, contributing to one of the deadliest assaults on civilians in modern history. By investing in Honeywell, BCP risks complicity in the ongoing atrocities in Palestine. We urge BCP Council to immediately divest from Honeywell and ensure the pension fund is not supporting the destruction of civilian life and essential infrastructure in Gaza.
Public Statement from Josh White
I am deeply concerned that BCP Council continues to use the Hamworthy Club as a venue for public events, despite the fact that the club recently hosted Katie Hopkins - an individual who has openly mocked disabled people and spread racist views. By choosing to hold events at such a venue, the Council sends a message that it is willing to ignore the harm caused to marginalised communities. As a taxpayer and resident, I call on the Council to uphold its duty under the Equality Act 2010 and take a clear stand against racism and discrimination. The Council must immediately stop using the Hamworthy Club for official events and commit to working only with venues that align with values of inclusivity and equality.