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HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL, and we will continue to keep you updated on Ward issues.
Traffic
We have received numerous emails and phone calls regarding the current traffic issues in Christchurch and we share your frustration and anger that Christchurch has once again been crippled by road works.
Vanessa has been working with the Town Council to arrange a meeting with Southern Gas Network to hold them to account, but we want to do more!
A Relief Road has long been mooted and last considered in 2016 when an Options Study was carried out by Dorset County Council. A preferred route costing £76m was not followed up due to considerable environmental constraints. We feel a full up to date traffic study of Christchurch is needed in order to have the evidence to work to find alternative routes or to investigate Relief Road options again.
The utilities infrastructure around the centre of Christchurch is decaying and a holistic approach is needed regarding repairs, especially with the likely increase in traffic from the planned Roeshot Hill Development, Bargates Development and the future Roeshot quarry traffic, all of which will be using Barrack Road or Fairmile to get to Bournemouth or the A338 Spur Road. We are passionate that action needs to be taken now.
Beach Hut Charges
We previously reported that on 14th December 2022 the BCP Council Cabinet was to discuss a drastic increase in charges for Council Beach Huts. Having been contacted by residents, Margaret attended that meeting and spoke against the huge increases which were proposed. Representatives from Beach Hut Associations and other Cllrs. also spoke in opposition. Nevertheless, the increases were passed unanimously by the Cabinet.
Some of the increases for beach hut owners and tenants are 2.5% times the rate of inflation in the first year and by as much as 130% over 5 years. It seems clear that last year, when Government forbade the BCP council administration from selling off the its beach hut assets, in what they termed the dodgy deal, these alternative proposals have been rushed through to still allow the sweating of the asset. It looks to us as if those with Council beach huts across the whole of BCP are being unfairly penalised in a bid by the administration to recover some of that money.
This unfair proposal did not come before any Council Scrutiny Committee and it is not planned for the Cabinet decision to come to full Council for ratification either. The administration has decided. A much fairer approach would be a rate of inflation 10% increase for council beach huts across BCP in the first year, to be followed by a proper and inclusive consultation to review future years.
BCP Standards
Vanessa continues her work on Standards Committee which has considered 10 complaints so far this year and will be reviewing another 10 before the formal Standards Committee on 17 January. At present the board is having to meet every 4 weeks just to keep up with the demand. This is not a good reflection on the conduct and perceived poor behaviour of Councillors by residents.
BCP Government Loan
Following the failure to raise money from the “dodgy” beach hut sale (mentioned above), you may recall that last year an application was made to Government for a loan under its Exceptional Finance Support programme. A “minded to” loan offer of £20m (repayable over 20 years) was received for the 2022/23 year. This is to be subject to an external finance and governance review of the Council, and a condition that it balances its 2023/24 budget by the end of September 2022, and also in the expectation of future asset sales to avoid the need for further loans in both 2023/24 and 2024/25.
The Council administration has now identified assets across BCP (including in Christchurch) to the value of £20m which, (subject to agreement by full Council), will urgently be put on the market by auction, hoping for completed sales by 31st March 2023. We do not know how these assets were identified as the best ones to sell, as Cllrs. have only seen a confidential list with no reasoning given. We are asking questions about this. If sales are successful, it might avoid drawing down on the “minded to” £20m capitalisation loan. The external finance and governance reviews are still to go ahead shortly, to be made public once complete.
We are always available to assist you with Ward or Council matters. Our contact details are:
Cllr. Margaret Phipps – margaret.phipps@bcpcouncil.gov.uk - Tel: 01202 478266
Cllr. Vanessa Ricketts – vanessa.ricketts@bcpcouncil.gov.uk – Tel: 07760 391467
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