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 on Thursday 26 September 2024 [mid-day 3 clear working days before the meeting].
The deadline for the submission of a statement is mid-day on Tuesday 1 October 2024 [mid-day the working day before the meeting].
The deadline for the submission of a petition is Tuesday 17 September 2024 [10 working days before the meeting].
Minutes:
Cabinet was advised that there had been no petitions submitted from members of the public on this occasion but that one question had been received in relation to Agenda Item 13 (Hawkwood Road Community Centre – Towns Fund Masterplan), and three statements had been received, two in relation to Agenda Item 8 (Town Centre Improvement Fund) and one in relation to Agenda Item 10 (Christchurch Bay and Harbour Flood and Coastal Erosion).
Public Question received from Philip Stanley-Watts on Agenda Item 13 – Hawkwood Road Community Centre – Towns Fund Masterplan
Boscombe needs a community centre
Could you tell me the towns funding
And timeline.
Described as a pocket park, how big is this and can this park be an NHS covid memorial park?
There is silver birch and other trees all around the Hawkwood Road car park can these be protected?
There should be a greening of the car park with more trees and shrubbery and protected habitats.
It was regretful that top retailer WHSmith was lost to the High Street in Boscombe and that another top retailer is found for Boscombe.
Response by the Portfolio Holder for Housing and Regulatory Services, Councillor Kieron Wilson
Query - Boscombe needs a community centre
Response - Thank you, we are glad that the proposal to build a new community centre is welcomed.
Query - Could you tell me the towns funding
Response - The Towns fund is allocated grant funding awarded by Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) for levelling up areas in and around Boscombe. Further information is available at What is the Towns Fund? | BCP (bcpcouncil.gov.uk)
Query - And timeline.
Response - Demolition of the WH Smith building is forecast for early 2025 which will enable the building of the Community Centre to commence soon afterwards. This will take approximately 18 months to build, subject to contract. The Programme for the project is shown at Appendix 7.
Query - Described as a pocket park, how big is this and can this park be an NHS covid memorial park ?
Response - The park is 41m long x 35m wide (as resolution to grant planning approved at committee). We can explore the request for a memorial park with our parks team.
Query - There is silver birch and other trees all around the Hawkwood road car park can these be protected?
Response - There are no trees expected to be removed for the Community Centre development which this decision covers. All trees are independently assessed to identify which can be retained and which need to be removed. Seven trees are expected to be removed as part of the residential/park development on Hawkwood Road to allow for new entrances, which will be replaced by new and better trees as part of the scheme landscaping.
Query - There should be a greening of the car park with more trees and shrubbery and protected habitats.
Response - The site will be substantially greener than the original carpark. Please see the Proposed Site Plan in Appendix 5. The overall site will be subject to the planning conditions which include tree protection measures, tree planting and the requirement of a landscape management plan.
Public Statement received from Ian Redman on Agenda Item 8 - Town Centre Improvement Fund
BCP Council has a history of failed projects and squandering taxpayers money. The Eco-Hub, Toft Steps portacabins, Bayside Restaurant, Holdenhurst Rd re-development and the list goes on.
The projects described in the Town Centre Improvement Fund for Bournemouth look like another waste of money.
Has any visitor survey said Bournemouth needs “selfie and photo opportunities, ‘story blocks”, “graphics to dress the streets” or a mural on a wall next to an under-used cycle path
These projects look like you are putting icing on a mouldy cake.
Within the papers, there is no evidence these proposals will deliver long term benefits for the town.
It looks like you have scraped together some random projects to give the Economic Development Team an £8K management fee.
Public Statement received from Philip Stanley Watts on Agenda Item 10 – Christchurch Bay and Harbour Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management (FCERM) Strategy
In the Christchurch Bay Flood Management Plan costings should be met and in partnership with agencies and other LA s there should be the development in partnership with others of a natural flood defence strategy which includes narrow ditches and beaver dams in the light of the climate crisis.
Public Statement received from Susan Stockwell on Agenda Item 8 – Town Centre Improvement Fund
Investment in Bournemouth Town Centre is no more than whitewashing over a serious damp problem, as long as BCP's councillors continue to license seven floors of sexual entertainment. Please put aside party allegiances and stop ignoring the harassment of women. We don't want to be rescued by expensive police and council resources paid for by our taxes, we want the licensing stopped.