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 4 February 2026 (3 clear working days before the meeting).
The deadline for the submission of a statement is mid-day Monday 9 February 2026 (the working day before the meeting).
The deadline for the submission of a petition is Tuesday 27 January 2026 (10 working days before the meeting).
Minutes:
Public question from Phillip Stanley Watts
As someone who has worked for the NHS for over 30 years including through covid and mindful that many of my colleagues gave their lives i am asking the cabinet member whether BCP Council can build a memorial garden dedicated to those victims and NHS workers who suffered and worked through covid?
Response by the Portfolio Holder for Communities and Partnerships, Councillor Sandra Moore
Thank you for your question and for your dedication to our National Health Service, not only through the pandemic but through your 30 years of service.
There are Covid 19 memorials located within each of the three main NHS Hospital sites in Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch, marked by memorial stones and buried time capsules.
As a Council, we did support the Annual National Day of Reflection last year, and this year we are asking the CEO of University Hospitals Dorset if we can join them on this year’s National Day of Reflection which will be held on Sunday 8th March.
I can also confirm that we are exploring a potential Covid-19 memorial in the Pocket Park in Boscombe which could be included as part of the landscaping in Phase 2 of the Towns Fund Development. My fellow Cabinet members and I thank you, and all of the staff and volunteers across BCP, who worked tirelessly to help support those in our community during the pandemic.
Public question from Soo Chapman
Whilst decarbonising prizes are being offered by Elon Musk and Prince William and the King releases his "Finding Harmony" film there's a shocking communication gap from our negligent government who've refused to publish their censored report on national security, global diversity loss and ecosystem collapse. Let alone televise it.
In a democracy where the world has acknowledged the need to prevent the incineration of the Earth, motivated and informed citizens should all be helping to make good choices to change our dire trajectory. Currently we're all at the mercy of disinformation by the well-funded fossil fuel lobby, the horrors of poisoned waters, unbreathable air, crop failures and Siberian temperatures.
Please will BCP write a Freedom of information request to Defra about their censored report requesting the overdue need for a Decarbonising Plan to protect us all before the collapse of ecosystems predicted to the council in 2022?
Response by the Portfolio Holder for Climate Response, Environment and Energy, Councillor Andy Hadley
Soo, thank you for your question.
The Government did publish their “Nature security assessment on global biodiversity loss, ecosystem collapse and national security” on 20th January 2026
This strategic assessment explores how global biodiversity loss and the collapse of critical ecosystems could affect the UK’s resilience, security and prosperity.
It makes really sobering reading, and you are right that it has not attracted the publicity it needs.
Back in November, there was also an independent conference briefing on the National Emergency, organised by a group of scientists, which I know you highlighted.
National Emergency Briefing on climate & nature https://www.nebriefing.org/
This includes a range of videos now available online, of experts talking about changing weather systems, tipping points, food scarcity, forced migration, health issues, national security and energy transition.
I have watched them all, and I have written to all BCP Councillors highlighting the value of these accessible films to give the science and some achievable solutions to the threats you consistently remind us of.
I don’t think that it would be our role as a Council to write an FoI request to DEFRA.
I have included links to the two online resources mentioned for the written record of this meeting, for anyone interested to review.
Public question from Roger Mann
What plans does the council have to improve secure bicycle parking in Bournemouth town centre for both private bikes and Beryl bikes? Specifically:
Response by the Portfolio Holder for Climate Response, Environment and Energy, Councillor Andy Hadley
Roger, thank you for your question.
We have worked with the Dolphin Centre in Poole, and with a private operator, Spokesafe to provide a secure and monitored parking area in Poole Town centre.
Active Travel England, which is part of DfT awarded BCP Council the top level 3 assessment this year. As a result, their allocation of funds to BCP for Active Travel doubled to £2.95M for next year.
As part of planning for spending this allocation, we recognise the need and we intend to invest to increase the secure cycle parking in the Town and District Centres across BCP.
We hold regular quarterly meetings with the shared bike operator, Beryl to monitor their service.
As the devices are permanently on-street, they do suffer from weather and vandalism. Beryl do reduce the number of bikes and scooters on street over winter months, undertake preventative maintenance, and respond to faults as advised to them.
There is an easy method to report faults through their app. If you feel there are specific issues that are not getting resolved, I’d be happy to take this up with them.
I agree that bike security needs to grow alongside other improvements to infrastructure.
Public Statement from Susan Stockwell
Taking down the strip club advertising that made Bournemouth look so seedy is starting to tempt businesses back into the town centre as it looks less like an 80s lad mag. Imagine what booting the sex tourists out completely by refusing to license them could do to regenerate the town.
It's worked in Newquay, Cornwall and Altrincham in Cheshire. We still have the beaches and the weather. Reclaim the streets for a safe thriving nightlife instead of the leering leches ruining it for everyone at the moment and the sky's the limit.
Calderdale, home of Riot Women and the original Happy Valley is battling to close one down at the moment, and residents should be getting together to do the same in Bournemouth. Eyes on the prize for a safe enjoyable buzzing night life where men and women can meet on an equal footing to party the night away.
Public Statement from Daniel Glennon
I’m returning to the previously raised issue of glyphosate use in public spaces. I appreciate the responses I’ve received around public expectations, cost and the challenges of alternative approaches. I recognise this is not a straightforward issue.
I’d like to refocus today on public health. Research by Pesticide Action Network UK[1] found residues of glyphosate and other cancer-linked pesticides in eight out of thirteen playgrounds tested across the UK. These are places designed for children, where families should feel safe.
I’m also concerned by recent developments in the scientific evidence base. A paper frequently cited to support the claim that a leading brand name weedkiller whose active ingredient is glyphosate poses no risk to human health has now been retracted following serious concerns about its independence[2].
Given this context, I’m asking the council to work collaboratively towards reducing and eliminating glyphosate use and prioritising the health of residents.
[1] https://www.pan-uk.org/playgrounds/
Public Statement from Phillip Gatrell (Read by BCP Chief Executive)
The Public Office (Accountability) Act will supersede “Misconduct in Public Office”.
Duties of “candour, frankness and transparency” in the public interest shall apply at all times to Members’ and Officers’ functions. Breaches and misleading the public can invoke criminal penalties including imprisonment.
The Council’s Code of Governance pledges “Integrity, Openness, Transparent Reporting to Deliver Effective Accountability” - so why the new law?
My 24 July 2025 Question to Audit and Governance elucidates concerning Council’s disallowed and unconscionable request for anonymity in reporting its failed Judicial Review. Which incurred 292 hours Council lawyers’ time and £214,722 costs excluding the complainant’s reimbursement determined by the Ombudsman.
On 26 August 2025 the Leader was asked as to the decision maker and date of Members’ first awareness regarding the anonymity request but, despite reminders, remains unresponsive.
A response to my subsequent Freedom of Information request is overdue.
Other Councillors alerted on 24 July are apparently acquiescent.
Altogether this is troubling.
Public Statement from Alex McKinstry
The Item 10 report omits to mention that five Code of Conduct complaints were simply closed in August 2025, when the subject councillor failed to comply with sanctions. Complainants were invited to leave the matter there, or to submit further complaints under 8.4 of the Code (non-compliance).
That decision was made by officers without prior reference to the Standards Committee, who deplored that action at their subsequent meeting of 7 October. The Standards Committee can prevent this recurring by fortifying Part 8 of the Code, which requires co-operation with the Standards Committee and a response within 14 days; any non-cooperation / non-compliance should be reported to the next Council by default, then entered into the minutes as a permanent record.
I would incidentally like to thank the overwhelming majority of councillors who do take the Code of Conduct seriously, and who undertake their duties with diligence and integrity.
Public Statement from Elaine Findlay (Read by BCP Chief Executive)
Dear Councillors
In the Bournemouth Town Council ward map, EC3, in EC&S, has been detached from its neighbours and placed within S&QP without consultation.
A poll of EC3 residents was undertaken and 92% are very unhappy because:
Fear is EC3 will be considered
a tiny backwater and completely ignored.
Please reconsider the positioning of EC3 as a matter of urgency to
ensure the community remains with those with the same issues, ideas
and sense of place. The obvious area is to move is QP1. This is
already in the Queens Park area and identifies more with that
community.
Councillor Joe Salmon sought to move a motion to refer Mr McKinstry’s statement to the relevant Governance Working Group or Committee for further review. The Monitoring Officer, Mr Robin Watson, advised that there was no provision to refer a public statement. Mr Watson advised that it would be most appropriate for Councillor Salmon to discuss the matter with the relevant Portfolio Holder.