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Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression.
This right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.
Universal Declaration of Human Rights
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Contents
A Public Meeting
Navitus Bay
Our Local EU Citizens
The UK Youth Parliament
That's Fishy
Highcliffe Castle Eco-fest
Farewell Dorset Waste Partnership
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A Public Meeting
A year ago, residents of west and central Christchurch acquired a Parish Council. What Hurn has been accustomed to for years became a reality for us. One of our committee, Sue Fotheringham, was voted in as a councillor.
Now, twelve months on, it is pertinent to explore exactly what function Christchurch Town Council is meant to fulfil in our future. It costs us £4 a month in our BCP Council Tax bills but very few of us have any real grasp of its aims and objectives.
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We have arranged for the Town Clerk Daniel Lucas to enlighten us. He has kindly agreed to give a presentation to a public meeting on Wednesday 15th April at 7.30pm in The Hall on the Hill, Marlow Drive. This will be followed by a question and answer session – thereby giving you an opportunity to express your views.
NB: The meeting will also act as our AGM. The date of 18th March given in the February Newsletter was incorrect and should be ignored.
You will all be aware of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. If Government advice changes and public meetings are discouraged or banned the 15th April meeting will of course be cancelled. We are following the advice from the government and encourage you to do the same:
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Navitus Bay
BCP has stated that they would welcome a fresh proposal to build a windfarm off our coast.
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Back in 2013-14 a proposal was made to build a windfarm off the Isle of Wight and opposite the Bournemouth, Christchurch, Poole beaches. It culminated in a public enquiry. Here’s an extract from the representation that we and other residents’ associations made to the enquiry board:
A Mixed Picture
Most of our membership was opposed to Navitus Bay from outset for familiar reasons: impact upon the Jurassic coast; adverse effect upon local economy; adverse effect upon birds and other wildlife; etc.
However, a significant minority of members was in favour and their views are best summarised by a message sent to us by a local senior engineer for inclusion in our monthly e-mail newsletter:
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Generally, I feel we should look at the big picture; every type of technological development has had its teething problems from the internal combustion engine this time last century to mobile phones more recently (plus a hundred more such examples). Everything needs the chance to be developed fully - and wind power has not had that yet; even so its capabilities and efficiencies are much better than they were
Some people like the look of wind turbines; some hate them - as I daresay windmills were hated centuries ago by some. They are part of the technology that allows us to have cushy lives - and be in no doubt that we currently do. But fossil fuel sources cannot be relied upon in future, so we have to be brave and work out other ways; Navitus Bay is one such opportunity.
I believe that, even if people don't flock here to see our latest tourist attraction, it will do nothing to the Jurassic coast protection status; that is to do with cliff geology; not what may or may not be out to sea.
In the end I doubt whether our views will matter anyway; this will be a political decision; but personally I am happy to trust my fellow engineers working on this amazing technology and be proud that our region has been chosen to host what, I am sure, will become a common sight in future (as it is elsewhere in the world).
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The Trench Effect
Two events changed the views of the minority. The first was the UNESCO letter addressing the issues surrounding the Jurassic Coast. The second was the publication of the full specification for the motorway sized “trench” to be built from the landfall point (New Milton – Barton) to Mannington (north of West Moors). This provoked the same senior engineer to write a second note:
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Just to advise you that I have changed my opinion on Navitus Bay.
Whereas I do still believe that wind power can eventually be made to work economically I am really concerned about what happens to the electricity when it comes on land. The swathe of channel required all along its journey from Barton to Mannington will be an environmental blight for the residents and for the wildlife. If such things are needed, they should only be in sparsely populated areas that are not SNCI or SSSI designated.
And another resident who had previously been in favour chipped in with:
What is the point of building a wind farm that creates less carbon dioxide than fossil fuel and then destroying thousands of trees and other plants that convert carbon dioxide into oxygen in order to make the electricity usable? (The huge trench was scheduled to pass through the heart of Hurn Forest)
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In Summary
We can say that local public opinion was firmly against this proposed development and was particularly opposed to the desecration of our habitat that the massive trench would create.
The years of disruption as the monstrosity was built; the permanent scar upon the landscape; the unknown damage to such sensitive environments that are recognised by SNCI and SSSI designations; the felling of thousands of trees; these all appalled us and still do.
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A Plan Resurrected
The Planning Inspectorate rejected the bid in 2015 following considerable local opposition. Their website for Navitus Bay remains open to view.
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In 2019, BCP Council members took the decision to acknowledge a responsibility in tackling climate change, with the aim of being carbon neutral by 2030. Following this decision, campaigners have challenged council leaders to take significant steps to support the environment.
Green Party councillor and chair of BCP Council’s planning committee Simon Bull said:
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It is right that all options for supplying energy are considered. There is a climate and ecological emergency, the effects which are felt daily. We need to use alternative sources for our energy going forward and wind will be key.
When asked for his view on an offshore wind farm, Cllr Bull said he would welcome a proposal.
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Our view at the time was that priority should be given to generating energy from waste (we are still exporting waste to Holland for example rather than utilising it properly) and to generating solar power rather than wind. That remains our position.
As of this month, the Government position is that Local communities must have an effective voice on developments that impact them. They will have a definitive say on whether projects can proceed.
It will remain the case that no English onshore wind project can proceed without the consent of the local community. We aren’t clear if that includes huge trenches that generate a local magnetic field! If you have a view, please let us hear from you.
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According to Home Office figures, more than 20,000 EU citizens in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole have applied to live and work in the UK after Brexit.
Most of the applications in the BCP area are from Polish (4,910), Romanian (2,870) and Portuguese (2,390) nationals. Italy and Spain were also common places of origin, with 1,970 and 1,700 respectively. 10 per cent of applications were from under-18s, while just three per cent were from people aged 65 and over.
The EU Settlement Scheme allows resident EU and Swiss citizens, plus those from the European Economic Area countries, to apply to continue living and working in the UK.
Official figures show that 20,320 applications were made in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole up to the end of last year, of which 18,400 were finalised.
Of those, 10,910 applicants were granted settled status, meaning they have a permanent right to remain in the UK. A further 7,390 were handed pre-settled status, which gives them permission to keep living in the country and the chance to reapply once they have done so for five years.
The rest of the applications had other outcomes, such as being refused.
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The UK Youth Parliament
Four local young people are taking their first political steps after being elected to represent Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole in the UK Youth Parliament.
The elected young people are aged between 11 and 18 and will be able to express their views on the decisions that are important to them, make positive changes in their communities and make a difference to the young people they represent.
Following several weeks of campaigning, two Members of Youth Parliament (MYP) and two deputies were elected from the 45 contenders.
There was a total of 5970 votes cast across 24 schools and colleges, with the four successful candidates announced at a ceremony on Thursday 27 February at Poole Civic Centre Council Chamber.
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The new Members of the Youth Parliament (MYPs) are:
• Nathan Collins, aged 17 from Bournemouth School
• Sarah Lockard, aged 17, Bourne Academy
The new Members of Youth Parliament will represent Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole on a regional and national basis, helping to engage young people in politics, democracy and citizenship.
They will be able to attend events during the year, including the annual sitting - a gathering of youth parliament members from around the country and will have the opportunity to debate in the Houses of Commons.
The MYPs will also deliver their own personal manifestos to improve the lives of young people, which will include issues such as mental health and climate change.
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Graham Farrant, Chief Executive, BCP Council said:
It was a privilege to be able to announce the results of these elections and to meet the new Members of Youth Parliament last night.
They have an exciting opportunity to engage on behalf of young people both nationally and here in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole. I wish them every success in their year ahead and look forward to them challenging how and why we provide our services.
Councillor Sandra Moore, Cabinet member for Families and Children said:
Candidates from across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole all campaigned passionately on issues relevant to the lives of our local young people.
The high quality of the debates clearly inspired thousands of their peers to cast their votes in support of this year’s Youth Parliament elections.
Young people who are interested in becoming involved next year are encouraged to find out more on the UK Parliament website.
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That’s Fishy
Residents are being urged not to buy from door to door fish sellers, who have reportedly been seen in the area.
The cold callers offer ‘fresh’ fish that comes from the black market and puts buyers’ health at risk. It comes with no proper packaging, has no date or species information, and is unlikely to have been refrigerated when being transported.
As well as accepting cash, the sellers have been known to use hand-held card machines where they input large amounts that is hidden from the buyer, not allowing them to see what has been charged. No receipts are given, and any business information may be false.
A spokesperson for BCP Council said:
While there are many legitimate fish sellers trading in the area, con men are starting to pressurise people into buying large amounts of fish at the door for extortionate amounts.
I would urge people to be very mindful of these cold callers but would also advise everyone never to deal with anyone at their door. Cold callers prey on older and more vulnerable people, and very often cannot be traced.
You can report any incidents to Trading Standards through the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 113, or by calling the police non-emergency number on 101.
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Highcliffe Castle Eco-fest
On Sunday 22nd March Highcliffe Castle will stage an event bringing together everyone that is trying to make our world a little greener.
There will be trade stands, talks and workshops which aim to be fun and interactive for all the family.
Exhibitor stands will include:
• Reusable bags, nappies, mugs and more
• Ethically made & sourced items
• Environmentally friendly alternative products
• Biodegradable products
• Locally produced artwork and designs
• Vegan and ethically sourced yummy treats
• Conservation Charities
For more information please email
events@highcliffecastle.co.uk
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Farewell Dorset Waste Partnership
From 1 April 2020, BCP Council will start collecting bins in Christchurch.
An information pack with everything residents need to know about their service will be delivered to every household shortly.
If you would like to receive email updates from BCP Council about the waste and recycling service please sign up now.
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Community Matters is produced and edited by a team of local residents who try to present you with the facts that will both keep you informed and enable you to make up your own mind on local issues
Jumpers and St Catherine's Hill RA
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