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 16 July 2025 (3 clear working days before the meeting).
The deadline for the submission of a statement is mid-day Monday 21 July 2025 (mid-day the working day before the meeting).
The deadline for the submission of a petition is Tuesday 8 July 2025 (10 working days before the meeting).
Minutes:
Public Questions
Public question from Dr Patricia Fanjul
I am a GP working for the 111 Service, supporting Dorset patients and protecting emergency services. For the past 10 years, we are continuing to see an upwards trend in young people suffering with worsening mental health: intentional overdoses, suicidal thoughts, anxiety, depression, panic attacks, eating disorders, sleep disturbances, impaired social interactions. The unequivocal link is smartphones. They suffer from cyberbullying, sextortion, addiction... Additionally, negatively impacts their academic performance and cognitive function. Children are being deprived of a normal happy childhood and development, this will continue impacting their future as adults and their place in society. This is a Public Health crisis and our BPC and Dorset children need you, community leaders, to act now to protect them.
Can the Council provide an update on engagement with local headteachers to support the development of a consistent conurbation-wide approach to ban smartphones in schools in order to safeguard children?
Response from Councillor Richard Burton - Cabinet Member for Children, Young People, Education and Skills
(Councillor Burton’s response was also directed to Emma Chabaani, who had submitted a similar question but was not in attendance.)
Thank you for your question. And also thanks, Emma, for her question. And yes, they do overlap so I will answer both of them.
So, a motion was passed by BCP Council to:
It's worth noting that the majority of these schools are academies of one form or another. There are several different types of academies. Academies are not controlled by the local authority, which allows them to make decisions independently of the Council. The Council can only offer assistance and advice during my visits to schools, but many of them I do ask about their views on mobile phone usage and raising awareness of the issues.
There are also lots of readily available online resources that will signpost families to the NSPCC, Child Snatch UK, Safer Internet Centres, etc. on our Family Information directory. And there's also the link when you get a written response.
Public question from Barry Smith
When Will BCP council surrender the lease on Scott's Hill Lane playpark to allow Christchurch Town Council to take up a new lease with the freeholder?
As this situation has now been going on for 4 years and the park is falling into dilapidation.
Response from Councillor Sandra Moore - Cabinet Member for Communities and Partnerships
Thank you for your question.
At the creation of BCP Council in 2019, the Scots Hill Lane play area had already been closed by the former Christchurch Borough Council.
This site is privately owned, was leased to Christchurch but at LGR BCP inherited this lease from the landlord, together with other parcels of land at Purewell.
I am aware Christchurch Town Council are Interested in taking on the site.
There are, however, additional lease assignments and easements which add to the land complexity at this site. Unfortunately, there has been no agreement with the landlord to terminate the lease while it is tied to other land parcels.
Therefore, sadly, the site remains closed.
While I understand and can appreciate the interest in having this site re-opened, this is not currently possible for very complex legal reasons. Having said that, I can assure you that discussions will continue to try to resolve the situation.
Public question from Daniel Glennon
On June 10th 2025, a landmark study published in the prestigious journal Environmental Health confirmed that glyphosate and glyphosate-based herbicides cause multiple types of cancer, even at exposure levels currently considered “safe” by the EU. The research was coordinated by the Ramazzini Institute and involved scientists from across Europe, the US and South America.
Given these serious findings, and growing public concern about the health and environmental impacts of glyphosate, will BCP Council now follow the lead of Dorset Council, which has launched a pilot scheme to test safer, non-chemical alternatives?
I urge you to take precautionary action to protect public health, pets, biodiversity and soil health — and to show leadership in moving towards more sustainable land management. Will the Council commit to exploring alternatives, phasing out glyphosate use, and informing the public about where and when chemical spraying takes place?
Response from Councillor Andy Hadley - Cabinet Member for Climate Response, Environment and Energy
Daniel, Thank you for your question, I appreciate the concerns of residents about chemical spraying. We do also though get regular complaints about a lack of control of weeds.
Details of our weed treatment arrangement and months used, can be found via our website. Weeds, invasive plants and moss | BCP The number of chemical treatments per year has been reduced and harmonised across the three towns to a maximum of only twice per annum where needed. Treatment is not undertaken during strong winds.
Glyphosate is currently a regulated approved herbicide, considered safe to use both in the EU, which reapproved it for use for another 10 years in December 2023, and in the UK until at least 15th December of next year 2026. New research will I am sure influence reapproval.
The use of glyphosate as a weed treatment method is via qualified contractors using topical application only to individual weeds present at the time of treatment rather than broadly spraying areas.
Chemical treatment despite its restricted use remains recognised as the most cost-effective treatment method to manage weed growth and to fulfil Council statutory duties
Which include, firstly to ensure the Highway is safe to use and its structural integrity is not adversely affected by vegetation.
And secondly on our Countryside Stewardship Sites, to control certain types of invasive species identified by DEFRA, eg Gaultheria, Rhododendron, Bracken.
Thirdly to respond to Schedule 9 weed species of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, such as Japanese knotweed
On the scale local authorities have to treat, the cost of manual hoeing and other marketed and trialled alternatives make resourcing this largely unviable.
We therefore have to balance our approach, as Dorset Council does, to managing and preventing growth. We continuously review options and our learning alongside other authorities, and equally we do acknowledge the growing number of residents against any kind of treatment/removal programme.
We encourage residents to manually remove weeds from directly outside of their properties to support the community and Council and to reduce the level of treatment required.
Public question from Alex Harman
At the February Full Council meeting, the council addressed the ongoing work by the E&P O&S Committee on how we can reduce our impact in order to mitigate the climate emergency.
The council recognised that the global food supply accounts for 30% carbon emissions and that a low meat, vegetarian or vegan diet is beneficial in terms of carbon footprint and public health.
This topic was originally brought to full council over a year ago, but we are still awaiting a report with solid recommendations from the E&P O&S Committee.
The Climate emergency cannot afford to be pushed back and delayed.
Therefore, will the council finally sign the Plant Based Treaty, joining 42 other towns and cities, alongside identifying actions that the council could implement, e.g. encouraging council-run institutions to increase the availability of affordable, local, seasonal, plant-based options and promoting public health campaigns.
Response from Councillor Andy Hadley - Cabinet Member for Climate Response, Environment and Energy
Alex,
Thank you for your question.
BCP Council recognise the contribution of food production and distribution to our carbon emissions, and the benefits of reducing meat products in diets.
My Climate team have been preparing a draft position statement and action plan for the adoption and encouragement of plant-based diets within Council operations and the wider BCP area. I understand this will be considered at the next meeting of the Environment & Place Overview & Scrutiny Committee on 10 September 2025.
Our Commercial Services Teams are meanwhile making progress on this area. This does depend on encouraging the public, and working with their demands for purchasing these products. We believe it is important to take the public with us.
Public question from Kenny Gloster
Following the most recent inspection of Bournemouth Oceanarium, BCP Council found that licence conditions were not being met and issued several directives to address welfare concerns. These included inadequate space for a Horsfield tortoise and an enclosure that failed to meet the needs of a water dragon.
Given these findings, can the Council confirm whether Bournemouth Oceanarium is now fully compliant with its licence conditions?
What specific actions or enforcement measures have been taken to ensure that the welfare of all animals at the facility now meets the required legal standards?
Response from the Leader of the Council, Councillor Millie Earl, on behalf of Councillor Kieron Wilson, Cabinet Member for Housing and Regulatory Services
Following the renewal inspection conducted with two State vets and the Council’s appointed vet on 24th July 2024, several directives were issued to the business. In response, the business carried out the necessary works and has achieved full compliance with all specified requirements.
Public question from Alex McKinstry
The new electronic voting system worked beautifully in the first half of 3 June's full Council meeting; then, seemingly in the interval, the settings were adjusted so that individual votes were no longer displayed, merely the total numbers "FOR", "AGAINST" and "ABSTAINING". This is a retrograde step, as under the bygone system, residents could see how their councillors were voting simply by way of raised hands, assuming of course that the livestream was working. Can the settings be readjusted so that the display of individual votes by named councillors becomes the default position, both on the screens in the public gallery and on the livestream; and can this be done immediately, given the likely strong interest in several of tonight's items, notably Items 6 and 10? If this cannot be done, can you explain why not (in thoroughgoing detail)?
Response from Councillor Jeff Hanna - Cabinet Member for Transformation, Resources and Governance
Thank you to Mr McKinstry for his question. I shared his thoughts at our last Full Council meeting, and I can confirm that we are doing exactly as he has suggested.
The new audio-visual conferencing system, which includes the electronic voting, was commissioned only days before the Council meeting in June, so there has been an inevitable learning curve on its complexities, which was evident at our last Full Council meeting.
These have been resolved, and I can confirm that we will be displaying and broadcasting the individual votes of councillors for, against or abstaining on each motion, this evening and at future council meetings.
I am grateful to council officers for introducing cutting edge voting systems to our proceedings.
Public question from Amber Lofthouse
In May 2025, the Government introduced new legislation to raise standards in zoos and aquariums. Given that Bournemouth Oceanarium were found to be non-compliant with minimum licensing requirements during its last inspection, what steps is BCP Council taking to ensure the facility now meets the updated legal standards?
Has the Council issued any new guidance to the Oceanarium in light of the legislative changes? Additionally, when is the next inspection scheduled, and will the Council commit to increased oversight to ensure lasting improvements in animal welfare?
Response from the Leader of the Council, Councillor Millie Earl, on behalf of Councillor Kieron Wilson, Cabinet Member for Housing and Regulatory Services
In response to the Government’s introduction of the new Standards of Modern Zoo Practice in May 2025, BCP Council is actively working with the Oceanarium to ensure full compliance by the statutory deadline of May 2027. A follow-up inspection is scheduled for September 2025, aimed at assessing the facility’s progress toward implementing the new requirements.
To support lasting improvement and ensure consistent progress, the Council undertakes yearly inspections at the facility and maintains regular communication with the operators. The Council remains fully committed to ensuring oversight of the Oceanarium.
Public question from Angela Hardy
Between 2018 and 2023, 3,506 animal deaths were recorded at Bournemouth Oceanarium including 35% of all animals in 2021 alone.
In one case, 5 Black Goby fish died after becoming trapped in a holding tank, and 4 Clownfish died due to excess gases in the water.
Despite this, the Oceanarium presents itself as a conservation focused facility - yet none of the animals are being prepared for re-introduction to the wild.
What evidence does the BCP Council have that the Oceanarium contributes meaningfully to conservation?
In light of the high mortality rate and lack of genuine conservation outcomes, will the Council review its support for facilities that rely on captivity for entertainment, and instead back alternatives that prioritise in-situ conservation and public education?
Response from the Leader of the Council, Councillor Millie Earl, on behalf of Councillor Kieron Wilson, Cabinet Member for Housing and Regulatory Services
BCP Council’s evidence that the Oceanarium contributes meaningfully to conservation is based on findings from its most recent inspection. Specifically, the veterinary inspection report confirmed the facility’s compliance with conservation-related requirements.
The Oceanarium has been found to be compliant with all current licensing conditions, including those related to animal welfare and conservation responsibilities. As such, the facility remains licensed by the Council. BCP Council remains committed to ensuring that the oceanarium continues to be evaluated for compliance with requirements of in-situ conservation and public education.
Public question from Mark White
Can you confirm the number of responses recorded from the consultation for the town and parish councils, what does the response rate equate to over the total population of BCP?
How many responses were for the proposal and how many responses were against?
If the consensus is that the public do not want town councils, will you act on this indication and drop this proposal. If not, will you outline the reasons for going against the wishes of residents or will you default to your standard response that consultations are not legally binding, and can ignored meaning just a tick box exercise.
If you fall to your default response and chose to ignore the consultations why chose to ignore this consultation yet act and listen to residents on the response over residents parking, why are you picking and choosing on what you will and won’t listen to and act on?
Response from the Leader of the Council, Councillor Millie Earl
The consultation results are currently being validated and checked by officers and the data you have requested is not yet available. The next stage of the Community Governance Review means that the Task and Finish Group will consider the responses and make recommendations to Cabinet and subsequently to Council. The report of the Task and Finish Group will include full details of the consultation results for each area. The information you have requested will be available at that time.
As I have previously stated, consultation is undertaken to help inform decision-makers and help them reach a decision. I can assure you that, as with all consultations, the results will be taken into consideration but must be balanced against all other relevant factors.
Public Statements
Public statement from Nick Greenwood
I strongly urge the BCP to reconsider its current position regarding the UN Agenda 2030 Guidelines, which advocate for Net Zero policies that could potentially have adverse effects on our local economy. In today's world, a modern economy is deeply reliant on fossil fuels, and this dependency is unlikely to change in the immediate future.
Fossil fuels are integral to powering a wide range of vehicles and machinery across numerous sectors such as agriculture, mining, construction, transportation, shipping, aviation, military operations, and emergency services. Additionally, they are essential for the production of critical materials including nitrogen fertilizers, cement, steel, plastics, pharmaceuticals, and much more.
These products either depend directly on fossil fuel combustion or are derived from oil-based sources. While we recognize the importance of exploring alternative energy solutions, we must prioritize practical and economically viable strategies that ensure our progress and stability in the long run.
Public statement from Susan Lennon
BCP, stop doing consultations and listen to your constituents.
Give full access to public commons for disabled people.
You are selling off Sainsburys car park when it is heaving at the weekends. Consider using Bournemouth University car park for a park and ride.
Reconsider your decision to stop the Air Show, which could be restarted with backing and modification.
Give the public a voice, and do not silence your own Councillors. We need answers and accountability from our Council. Thank you.
Public statement from Philip Gatrell (read by Chief Executive)
Before departing the Chief Executive should consider:
· Annual rising trends in complaints upheld by the Ombudsman.
· 1989 Act Sections 5 and 5A stipulate the reporting to each Member of Ombudsman decisions against the Council and actual as well as likely contraventions of law. The Constitution’s text omits reporting actual contraventions contrary to the Monitoring Officer’s correct previous practice. I await her response.
· Sections 5 / 5A designated reports not sent to each Member include:
· Ombudsman’s 10 October 2022 decision upholding a complaint later ratified by costly judicial review.
· Contravening 2015 Standing Orders (Amendment) Regulation 2 when failing to convene Full Council meeting authorising Monitoring Officer’s dismissal before notice.
· May 2025 information response showing confirmed agency staff tax breaches not notified to Revenue despite my 27 February 2025 public issue.
· 22 April 2025 judicial decision obtained by me regarding Council’s Section 10(1) 2000 Act contravention when not providing information in time. Thrice since I have corrected Officers concerning deadlines.
Public statement from Jo Keeling (read by Daniel Butt)
In 2024, BCP Council agreed to sell Wessex Fields land to UHD for £2.163m, insisting no discount had been applied and the valuation had been properly scrutinised. Concerns raised by councillors, public and even the MP were dismissed.
We now learn the Council suppressed a higher valuation and when this was exposed, had to re-agree the sale, this time for around £6m. This confirms that the original deal undervalued the site by nearly £4m.
Residents deserve clear answers and accountability. The fact that the original valuation was hidden, the public was misled, and that those who raised legitimate concerns were ridiculed is unacceptable. This is public land, public money and at times of serious financial pressure, such actions undermine public trust.
We support UHD’s aims but this highlights deep concerns about transparency, scrutiny and integrity in decision-making at the highest level. I urge councillors to ensure that proper accountability follows.
Public statement from Paul Spector
I appeal to you — not just as Councillors, but as human beings — to act with courage, compassion, and a spirit of loving kindness toward all people in the Mideast.— and it’s precisely now that your leadership matters most.
For 30 years, Bournemouth and Netanya have been twinned in friendship — two beautiful seaside towns, perched on cliffs, welcoming people who long to live in peace and dignity. That bond was never about politics - but about humanity.
If we allow anger and division to dictate decisions, we abandon the very values we claim to uphold. Instead, let us lead. Let’s show that Bournemouth stands for peace, coexistence, and mutual respect.
Don’t let hatred tear apart what took decades to build. BCP should be remembered for strength, fairness and be known -not for capitulating to hostility, but for honouring peace, connection, and shared humanity.
Let light shine between our two towns.
Public statement from Stephen White
For almost 30 years the twinning of Bournemouth and Netanya has yielded countless benefits to both towns. It is inequitable and counterproductive to punish the citizens of Bournemouth and Netanya. Inequitable because the pain and suffering is caused not by Israel but by Hamas terrorists callously using Gazan civilians as human shields. Counterproductive because as the responsible adults in the room we should be fostering cooperation and peace-building. The citizens of Netanya are no more responsible for the actions of the Israeli Government in Gaza than the citizens of Bournemouth are responsible for the disastrous actions of the last two British Governments in Afghanistan.
Please, no more talk of detwinning. No gesture politics. Let's get the two towns working together to build bridges. And let's be proud of twinning - replace the missing road signs as soon as possible.
Please vote against this motion.
Public statement from Elizabeth Glass (read by Chief Executive)
In 2019 the council declared a climate and ecological emergency, and committed to making BCP Council carbon neutral by 2030. This was done without any mandate from the residents and no cost analysis appears to have been done.
Since then I note that council services have worsened and council tax has increased.
I have searched on the BCP and UK100 websites for the evidence/proof of said climate emergency and can find none. Council, please put the evidence that you used to commit to spending vast amounts of taxpayers’ money on net zero policies, on the BCP website.
Public statement from Siobhan Mitchell (read by Carey Walden)
We, the volunteers at the Bournemouth and Poole Repair Café, endorse this Motion.
Every month members of our community bring their broken items to us and we repair what we can, keeping everything from lawnmowers to coffee machines to clothes from being thrown away and added to the mountains of waste in landfills.
We happily volunteer our time and share in the joy when an item is restored or repaired to go on to be used over and over again.
But sometimes we cannot repair items because they are built in a way that prevents repair, with built-in obsolescence or parts are no longer available.
Sadly, those items are added to the 2326.54 tonnes of electrical waste that BCP Council processes every year.
We call on you as our councillors to endorse this Motion and by doing so encourage the creation of local skilled jobs, increase efficiency and reduce waste.