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 5 February 2026 [mid-day 3 clear working days before the meeting].
The deadline for the submission of a statement is mid-day on Tuesday 10 February 2026 [mid-day 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 Alex McKinstry on Agenda Item 6 (Budget 2026/27 and Medium-Term Financial Plan)
On 28 December 2025, an article appeared in the local organ of media, stating that the Council "has applied to Government to increase the council tax by 7.4%". This reportedly followed some kind of solicitation from Government concerning council tax flexibility.
According to the budget papers however, the Council applied to Government for "exceptional financial support" on 6 January 2026, and a bullet-point on page 7 suggests this included a request to increase council tax by more than 4.99%.
Given the disparity between the two dates, were these two separate letters / applications?
Can you also furnish us with the substance (and the dates) of any replies received from Government to this correspondence; and finally, will you publish this correspondence as an addendum to the papers for the Budget Council, which meets on 24 February?
Response by the Portfolio Holder for Finance, Councillor Mike Cox
As part of the 2026/27 budget setting process and following the November 2025 Local Government Finance Settlement and Chancellors National Budget, MHCLG wrote on the 1st December to offer EFS.
The council wrote to government accepting the offer on the 5 December 2025. This request, which was just a request to be given the option at that stage, was communicated to all members as part of a budget presentation on 10 December 2025.
The application as part of the formal Exceptional Financial Support process was submitted on 6 January 2026.
A copy of both these documents has been included in the addendum to the Budget report as presented.
Public Question from Ben Smith on Agenda Item 7 (Pokesdown Railway Station)
Will Cabinet honour their obligation and avoid letting down the disabled, residents, tourists and businesses to find a solution and consult before losing this huge investment in Pokesdown?”
Response by the Portfolio Holder for Climate Response, Environment and Energy, Councillor Andy Hadley
Ben, I have personally been very keen to see the lifts in place at Pokesdown, and have met several times with relevant parties at the station, and indeed as you know, with campaigners, hosted at your house.
I am very keen to see better access for all across public transport.The obligation to provide a lift is with the rail operator.
The SWR Franchise of 2017 was explicit that this was to be provided by 2020. MTR/First failed that commitment, and continued to defer, prevaricate and fail, despite interventions from both the previous and current MPs, and the Council.
I looked back at the Overview and Scrutiny and Full Council meetings from 2022. In supporting the need for lifts at this and other stations, I strongly opposed the idea that the then Conservative administration commit this Council to a 50 year debt for us all to bail out the private rail operator, particularly as this does nothing for accessibility at the other 7 stations that serve the BCP area which lack step-free access.
All they had committed to do, dressed up as a “Green Futures fund” was to take out a loan for local taxpayers to pay off. Interest rates are now far higher than they were then, but more importantly, the crisis in SEND Funding has grown enormously. Although we had at face value good news this week, the reality is a further £38M debt from SEND, due to come onto our balance sheets.
There is still significant uncertainty about large further costs in the period from now until 2028. We do not have the money for this project, it was a folly from an administration who were reckless with all of our money.
I wrote to Lord Hendy, Rail minister, and we met with Lawrence Bowman of SWR and his team yesterday.
We have done what we can to get those who are responsible for the railways to continue this important project, and I’m very keen to continue to press for it. We will continue to work with parties to seek an appropriate way to fund the project, but taking out additional loans at Council taxpayers expense is not achievable at this time.
Public Statement from Ben Smith on Agenda Item 7 (Pokesdown Railway Station)
In 2022 you gave a cast iron guarantee. Many of you were there and part of the unanimous vote. Money was meant to be drawn down and ring-fenced. If a mistake happened, why are we being made to pay? Why wasn’t this money ring-fenced with work to start soon?
For disabled residents, visitors with luggage or pushchairs it is a nonsense that we are not welcoming in Boscombe and Southbourne to all. For me it is hard to understand why I still cannot access such an important public service.
A golden opportunity for a partnership project delivering huge investment is being thrown away. Nobody doubts the financial pressures but with £7m of investment at stake, can you find a solution in this room so everyone can hold their head up and say their actions match their words? Please honour your commitment to the disabled and all residents and businesses.
Public Statement from David Redgewell on Agenda Item 7 (Pokesdown Railway Station)
As a passenger with reduced mobility and a member of Arriva cross country train access panel for equalities and diversity.
With Train services from Bournemouth Central to Manchester and the North.
Many passengers travel on to local stations and Poole by southwestern Railway.
In 2022 a lift was planned to be provide by Network Rail Pokesdown Station
With the Department for Transport and BCP Council.
We understand BCP Council is proposing to withdraw the £ 10 million pounds grant in part funding access for all fund
With Dorset Council is now taking forward Dorchester South station, lifts are required at Parkstone and Branksome Hamworthy
As a wheelchair user I ask the council to Talk to the Department for Transport Lord Peter Hendy Railways minister local MP Tom Hayes and md Lawrence Bowman southwestern railway to find a way forward and not cut the budget today.