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Community council plans divide residents' opinions

Emily Hudson
Political Reporter, BBC South
BBC Image shows a red dog waste bin, on a post on a green area next to a footpath. It is overflowing with full bags on top and on the ground. BBC
Town and parish councils often take over emptying of dog poo bins

People living in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole are being asked if they want to establish new community councils.

The bodies would see elected councillors look after things like parks, community facilities and grass cutting

ers say they would protect leisure services and events, which are "key to local wellbeing", from cuts as B Council faces increasing funding pressure.

But critics argue the move would create another level of bureaucracy and increase the amount of council tax residents pay, at a time when personal finances are under strain.

B Council is carrying out a community governance review, the first since it was created in 2019.

Options include creating new councils or merging, altering or abolishing existing parishes.

Councillor Mike Cox, deputy council leader and an elected member on Christchurch Town Council, said he had seen the benefit of community councils: "We've been able to take over facilities like the Quomps splash park, which faced closure by B council due to its budget pressures."

He said grass cutting and maintenance of green spaces was now being carried out at less cost by the town council.

Jacquie Stewart, who went to a meeting to voice her for a community council in Southbourne, said: "Councils are strapped for cash and the situation is getting worse.

"They don't have the money for the nice things in local areas which make us all enjoy where we live, like events and public toilets.

"The new council could do that."

A woman with glasses on her head and long hair, wearing a blue top standing in the corridor of a community centre
Jenny Ayling raised her concerns at a public meeting about community councils in Southbourne

Jenny Ayling, who also lives in Southbourne, raised concerns about the idea: "We don't know how much this will cost residents, the tax can be raised every year and is not capped.

"Many people can't afford it and they're already paying the council for these services."

Steve Hayes, from Oakdale in Poole, agreed and pointed out the individual borough councils were scrapped only six years ago in a huge reorganisation.

"Now they want Poole town and Bournemouth town and Broadstone and Redhill and Boscombe to have councils":[]}