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 18 February 2026 (mid-day, 3 clear working days before the meeting).
The deadline for the submission of a statement is mid-day Monday 23 February 2026 (mid-day the working day before the meeting).
The deadline for the submission of a petition is Tuesday 10 February 2026 (10 working days before the meeting).
[PLEASE NOTE: In accordance with the Constitution public issues submitted to the Budget Council meeting must address the business on the agenda in so far as it may relate to the setting of the budget for the coming financial year.]
Minutes:
The Chairman advised Council that in accordance with the Constitution that questions and statements submitted to the Budget Council meeting must address the business on the agenda in so far as it may relate to the setting of the budget for the coming financial year.
Public Questions
Public Question from David Redgewell
At the meeting on 11th February 2025 the council turned down a request by Network Rail Wessex route and SWR to fund the replacement lifts at Pokesdown station including the station forecourt improvements.
As a local transport authority, BCP has a responsibility to work with the state owned rail industry with Dorset Council building new lifts at Dorchester South. We urge the council to reinstate some partnership budget on this important project. In view of the fact that this is a public project, will the council and Network Rail publish the Equality Impact Assessment EIA and Disability Impact Assessment DIA and meet with Lord Hendy, Heidi Alexander, the Western Gateway Transport Board and Lawrence Bowman?
Response by the Portfolio Holder for Climate Response, Environment and Energy, Councillor Andy Hadley
Thank you, Mr Redgewell, for your statement and question, as you highlight in your statement the Pokesdown lifts have been inoperable for nearly 50 years and over that time the railway operator has not acted to rectify this.
There was a specific obligation as a result of the community campaign on First MTR Group in taking on the South West Rail franchise in 2017 to get functional passenger lifts at the station by 2020, they failed that obligation.
It is the duty of the railway operator to comply with the Disability Discrimination Act but also to cater for those with need with prams or luggage joining or leaving trains, none of the stations across BCP comply with the regulations although Bournemouth has at least steeper ramps, and none are currently on the Access For All priority list nationally.
As a transport authority BCP Council is responsible for strategic transport planning, the oversight of public transport services and the highway infrastructure that supports them.
The offer to part fund the Pokesdown lifts was unfunded and went beyond the responsibilities or the local authority, it required us to borrow funds over a 50-year term.
For other stations including at Dorchester South there are significant developments close by that residents could benefit from the facilities and the community infrastructure levy funding (CIL) rather than borrowing has been offered. There are no such opportunities around Pokesdown.
The Equalities Impact Assessment for the decision on our contributions is attached to the report, any decision has both a positive and negative impact and the assessment highlights that funding other essential services that the council does have responsibility for across the whole of BCP balances not funding this improvement at this one site in respect of an equalities impact.
We have met with the team from South West railway and Network Rail Wessex and written to both the Rail Minister and the Secretary of State for Transport, given the perilous state of local government funding we cannot contribute at this time, it would be great if Network Rail and South Western Railway were able to complete this long overdue project.
Public Statements
Public Statement from David Redgewell
Dear Councillors, I am very disappointed as a wheelchair user, that in the budget cabinet meeting on 11th February 2026, the BCP did not proceed with the partnership funding for the lifts at Pokesdown station after 50 years.
As a local public transport authority we do not understand why the council cannot work with public bodies like Network Rail and SWR to develop a fully accessible station and publish an Equalities and Diversity Impact Assessments on the project especially as the council is bidding with the Western Gateway Transport Board for funding of the Dorset Metro between Swanage, Wareham and Brockenhurst as part of GBR.
Public Statement from Lynne McCarty
It may be precious money to BCP Council, but ensuring our Station is step free is much much more than that. It’s about ALL our integrity and values- collectively, individually, democratically. Humanitarian responsibility, in fact, and BCP’s history in the making, so vital it is to honour your promise of partnership funding, supposedly unanimously ringfenced, until now. After a long patient meaningful campaign of 11 years.
Fundamentally it’s about demonstrating your care and concern for all disadvantaged travellers to/from BCP.
Furthermore, the value to BCP will be monumental, raising its image positively for once, locally and nationally, against the overwhelming tsunami of constant negative bad press that anyone who cares is absolutely sick of seeing. Especially leading up to crucial elections in 2026/2027.
Please please, put all barriers and party politics aside, make an honourable and philanthropic decision TO FIND A WAY, at last.
Public Statement from Ben Smith
I urge Council to amend this budget which is bad news for investment and accessibility in Pokesdown. You committed to fund part of the lifts and refurbishment at Pokesdown. The priorities seem to have forgotten for the disabled in this budget, as well as ambition to improve Pokesdown.
You may have heard all stations in BCP have limited, or no, accessibility. That’s no reason to give up here. We have to start somewhere. Pokesdown is incredibly poor for all visitors and residents. This should be a gateway to AFC Bournemouth, Boscombe and Southbourne – not a place to avoid. It is misleading to say this is significantly different from original plans, and this decision will scupper a major investment project mirrored around the country that always require local funding.
There is a change.org petition which currently has 2,213 signatures.