The deadline for questions to be submitted to the Monitoring Officer is Monday 14 July 2025.
Minutes:
Question from Councillor P Cooper
Re. Carters Quay
Whilst welcoming the examination of the background to this development by the Audit & Governance Committee it is also necessary to move forward. Therefore, could the Leader ensure that local Councillors are kept fully involved and informed on the progress in resolving the outstanding issues? Also, will the Leader ensure that such updates are communicated effectively to offer reassurance to residents and avoids misinformation and disingenuous commentary?
Response from the Leader of the Council, Councillor M Earl
I can provide reassurance that officers are working on finding a resolution and will bring a report forward later this Autumn. I will ensure the need to consult ward councillors over the next few months before we make any decisions.
Question from Councillor A-M Moriarty on behalf of Councillor P Canavan
As creative industries, financial services and clean energy are all included as priority sectors in the Government's industrial strategy what steps are being taken to take advantage of this in BCP?
In particular, the newly created Coastal Energy Partnership and the Dorset Clean Energy Supercluster create the potential for growth, jobs and bringing down energy bills across our region. These initiatives could unlock significant investment, create green jobs and transform our region into a clean energy powerhouse.
Can the portfolio holder outline how this administration is intending to help maximise this opportunity across our conurbation?
Response from the Leader of the Council, Councillor M Earl, on behalf of Cllr A Hadley, Cabinet Member for Climate Response, Environment and Energy
Councillor Canavan,
Much of the detail of how we achieve the growth jobs and energy bill stability/reduction is mapped out in our LEAP, which Council considered prior to the adjournment.
The Coastal Energy Partnership is a strong collaboration to support this, built on earlier sharing of experience and knowledge amongst partners, and includes the Universities and Bournemouth and Poole College. The College in particular is gearing up for sharing skills to support clean energy jobs, and Councillor Hadley was pleased to be involved in the launch of their new Green Energy Centre.
We are also grateful for help and support from our local MPs, both to date, and going forwards in promoting the value of investment in clean energy for our Region.
We hope to grow skills and attract investment to the priorities you identify, and with partners through the Coastal Energy Partnership to build and promote a vision to maximise this opportunity.
Question from Councillor S Bartlett
All of the signs that specify a cycling speed limit of 10 mph on Bournemouth promenade have been removed and replaced with signs that say “No cycling 10am – 6pm July & August. Pedestrians have priority. Maintain courteous Speed”
Would the Cabinet Member for Destination, Leisure and Commercial Operations advise what the courteous speed is and how it is enforced?
Also, would the Cabinet member also advise why the original signs were removed and the cost of replacing them.
Response from Councillor R Herrett, Cabinet Member for Destination, Leisure and Commercial Operations
The byelaw information signs relating to fires, BBQs, dogs, and cycling, have recently been updated and harmonised across our area. Previous signage was often outdated, inconsistent or incomplete.
Byelaws related to cycling on the seafront do not specify a maximum speed, the limit of which may depend on the weather, promenade conditions, visitor numbers, and a cyclist's ability or equipment.
There are times when traveling at 10 mph on the promenade may be considered too fast, and as bikes are not fitted with speedometers, it is impossible for a cyclist to know their exact speed.
The new signage advises cyclists to maintain a courteous speed, which allows them to take into account the conditions, and apply consideration for other promenade users. The signs are clearly visible across the seafront, acting as a point of reference and enable the Seafront Rangers to enforce and advise visitors as required. Due to their proximity, they are easily pointed to.
The cost of purchasing 325 new information signs and housings was £10,800. About £33 per sign, they cover 10 miles of seafront.
Anecdotally, despite much improved weather this summer, I, and the leader received much less in the way of correspondence on cycling on the prom this summer than last.
Supplementary Question from Councillor S Bartlett
Would the Portfolio Holder agree that a ‘courteous’ speed is somewhat subjective, as courteous speeds interpreted by some people, could be 30 miles an hour or even in excess. So we see a range between just a few miles an hour and 30 miles an hour on the seafront, which is possibly unenforceable with signs.
Response from Councillor R Herrett, Cabinet Member for Destination, Leisure and Commercial Operations
As noted, you can't tell the speed on a bicycle, and applying a speed limit is nigh on impossible. 30 miles an hour would equate to the fastest ever average speed. So I'm not sure we're going to say that's on the seafront unless it's motor driven and those bits of equipment are illegal anyway.
But we do enforce, we do stop people. We've seen it, in videos, caught accidentally. And, as I say, it is about courteous speed. And we are reliant on people to apply those rules as they see fit and apply that courteous speed. Sometimes that's too fast, even at ten miles an hour. A speed limit isn't not going to make a difference to the people doing 20 and 30 along there, even if the speed limit is 10mph.
Question from Councillor S Armstrong
It is becoming increasingly evident that short-term lettings and Airbnb are having significant and multifaceted impacts on our local economy, community, and housing market. These impacts include a strain on housing supply, increased antisocial behaviour, and pressure on council services such as rubbish collection. Hoteliers and other accommodation providers are particularly affected, as they adhere to strict regulations and incur substantial costs to ensure guest safety, unlike many short-term lets which exploit tax loopholes and avoid business rates.
Given the current housing crisis, it is deeply concerning that the council appears slow to act on these matters. Therefore, I would like to ask Cllr Herritt directly:
Will the council form a cross-party and cross-sector task group to assess the impact of short-term lettings and Airbnb, identify short-term solutions, and propose regulatory actions similar to other areas? If not, why not?
When will the council initiate a short-term let register to list all short-term rental properties, ensuring they align with national requirements and support local enforcement?
What measures are being taken to ensure compliance of short-term lets and when will zoning rules be implemented to regulate these lets?
What steps are being taken to improve collaboration between the council and the hospitality industry to address any disconnect and ensure that businesses of all shapes and sizes are included?
The current situation urgently needs to change to support local businesses, and prevent further hotel closures, which lead to increased antisocial behaviour and additional pressure on council resources. And we need to address ever increasing gaps in the housing market.
Response from Councillor R Herrett - Cabinet Member for Destination, Leisure and Commercial Operations
Councillor Armstrong, thanks for your question. I am regularly in contact with members of the hotel and tourist trade, and recognise the challenges they face, the availability of University accommodation is at a significant high, and private providers are seeking to use short term letting to bolster income in the summer, Air BnB’s are a fantastic way to utilise spare space, or an extra room, but is also a great example of where technology has overtaken regulation.
The Council is currently undertaking a stock condition survey to understand the demographic of properties in the conurbation, to include the number and locations of holiday lets.
Holiday lets are a vastly unregulated premises type and as it stands, no primary legislation can be used to regulate them. Our Public Protection teams will respond to issues relating to holiday lets to include enforcement on noise and ASB. Where appropriate, our waste team will also engage around commercial waste provisions.
The Portfolio Holder for Regulation has lobbied the MPs for more robust legislation in relation to these property types, and the results of the stock condition survey will support the understanding of issues and needs around this.
I am supportive of the formation of a working group but is likely best this is taken to Overview and Scrutiny as a scrutiny request, where they have the resource and governance to do so, and can hopefully find the time to do the deep dive required. Brighton and Hove council have done a very good report and summary of a lot of the issues in a report that could form the basis for that work, I’m happy to circulate to all councillors should they wish to have it.
Supplementary question from Councillor S Armstrong
I really welcome the fact that you recognize the challenges that are being faced across the sector. And I appreciate the challenges as well. If is a fact that we are missing that important enforcement legislation, but our residents can't wait for Westminster, we do need to take some action. So I would like further information about what else can be done to try and speed this up.
Response from Councillor R Herrett - Cabinet Member for Destination, Leisure and Commercial Operations
I spoke with Councillor Armstrong earlier this week about just this matter, and I believe we're looking to get a date in the disary to discuss just that, so I would be happy to do so.
Question from Councillor P Cooper
Can the Cabinet member for Planning explain why planning application notices are still routinely placed in inaccessible or inappropriate locations – such as high lampposts or railings, where they are prone to being blown away, torn off by passers-by, or left unreadable due to small print and complex information.
These practices significantly hinder public awareness and engagement, particularly amongst residents with visual impairments or mobility issues.
Given the administration’s commitment to listening to the communities it serves, what steps will be taken to ensure that planning notices are displayed in a more accessible, visible, and inclusive manner, so that all residents have a fair say and an opportunity to engage with developments that may impact on their neighbourhoods?
Response from the Leader of the Council, Councillor M Earl
Thank you Councillor Cooper. Officers display notices in prominent locations. By their very nature Site Notices are displayed so that people can view and read the notice. Officers do their best to display the notice in an area where it is visible and often erect multiple notices for one site.
Officers always try to place the site notice as close to the application site as possible, but clearly that is somewhat dependent on there being a lamp post or some other piece of street furniture nearby. In most cases, we can normally put the site notice up very close to the application property but we need to ensure notices are visible within the public realm.
In terms of putting up the notices, the officers use string to affix the site notices securely, and they are printed on waterproof paper. It means that, yes, they can be ripped down if someone really, really wants to. And if you do see one that has disappeared, then I think it's important to raise that with Planning. But they are pretty much the most sturdy that they can be. In terms of the amount that we have to put up and the cost of actually putting them up and taking them down, I think that they are sufficient and proportionate.
The font size used on the site notice itself is standard and has not changed for many years, and it is legible. Clearly, the Council cannot be accountable for a site notice being ripped down through anti-social behaviour It should be noted that legislation only requires the erection of one site notice and there is nothing to state we must ensure it has remained in situ for the statutory 21 days.
Officers take pictures of site notices once they are put up and upload them onto the planning site. And what I would suggest is that, if you see one on the planning site and then see it's disappeared, then it might be worth contacting the planning officer just to let them know about that.
Supplementary question from Councillor P Cooper
That doesn't really answer the question in terms of residents walking in the streets when they're really busy and they don't access the internet. There are still serious issues where people say, well, I didn't know that was going to happen. I don't think you've really answered the question in terms of accessibility and inclusion.
Response from the Leader of the Council, Councillor M Earl
I think that what you're saying is that residents have come to you and said, there's a planning application, but I didn't know anything about it. That doesn't necessarily mean that the site notice hasn't been visible or hasn't been there. In fact, I would say look at the planning site and see where the planning notices were. What I would also suggest is, in my ward where I have a contentious planning application or something that I feel concerned about, I actually put out letters to my residents to tell them about it and invite them to come and make representations at committee, and I think it's really important as Councillors that we do our bit as well, rather than just relying on officers to make sure residents are aware.
Question from Cllr S Armstrong
In light of the possible local government reorganisation through the community governance review within BCP, could the Leader of the Council provide assurances regarding neighbourhood plans and areas?
Specifically, what guarantees can be given to ensure that all the work done in East Cliff and Springbourne to designate an area for a Neighbourhood Forum and subsequently develop a neighbourhood plan will be preserved and respected?
Additionally, what actions will the Leader take to urge the government to continue funding the development of neighbourhood plans, given the recent decision to withdraw such funds?
The government has indicated that while direct funding for neighbourhood plans is being withdrawn, they will ensure that local planning authorities are ‘appropriately funded’ for aspects such as neighbourhood plan examinations and referenda.
How will this decision affect ongoing neighbourhood plans, and will the council still support their development? If so, what will this support look like?
Response from the Leader of the Council - Councillor M Earl
Thank you, Councillor Armstrong.
On 16 July 2025, Cabinet formally designated the East Cliff and Springbourne Neighbourhood Forum as a ‘qualifying body’ for five years to develop a neighbourhood plan within the approved area. I'm really pleased that it is now designated, and that no other organisation may be designated for that neighbourhood area until it is withdrawn. This does not affect the existence or creation of other community groups to operate in the area.
As a result of the Spending Review in June 2025, MHCLG has now withdrawn new grants or technical support to neighbourhood forums/town/parish councils. This is published on the national community group network ‘Locality’. This means that new neighbourhood planning forums will no longer be able to access the £10,000 grant funding that was previously offered to help towards the cost of procuring evidence to support their neighbourhood plans. We are aware that a number of MPs have raised concerns about the implications for communities, which may struggle to raise funds to support evidence gathering activities.
We understand that existing commitments will continue to be funded by MHCLG only until March 2026. On 19 June 2025, the Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook MP stated that “The government remains of the view that neighbourhood plans can play an important role in the planning system” despite government financial support ending for forums. MHCLG have confirmed that LPAs will continue to be compensated for their neighbourhood planning functions i.e. the ability to claim the funding element when issuing a decision statement to proceed to a referendum.
BCP Council has a statutory duty to advise and support neighbourhood forums through the process and stages of preparing their neighbourhood plans and will continue to do so in accordance with its Statement of Community Involvement.
In terms of council funding though, I do have a solution which works well in other areas of the country to fund and support the creation of the type of plans, ensuring residents can take control of their own destiny and create the neighbourhood that they want to see, and that is working with your local town or parish council. If only we had one.