Your Community Matters Newsletter

BCP Council Budget Consultation 2025/26
Have Your Say
BCP is asking residents to have they say on the work they are doing to prepare proposals to balance the Council’s budget for 2025/26 and beyond, in line with their financial situation. The consultation and survey can be found at  https://haveyoursay.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/budget 
It closes at 11:59pm on Friday 29 November 2024.
 
The home page shows where money is currently spent and the consultation asks you where you think it should be spent in the future. You can download the “consultation document” HERE which gives a full explanation of how the Council spends its money and the current financial challenges.
 
Local Plan Update
All details and the timetable relating to the BCP Local Plan examination process are and will be publicly available on the examination website (link below). People can contact Ian Kemp the Programme Officer if they have questions about the examination process. His e mail and phone number are on the web page together with details of the two appointed Inspectors.
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Local Plan & CIL Examination (localplanservices.co.uk)
 
The inspectors decide on what matters they consider need to be discussed at the hearings and how the hearings are conducted. Only those who commented on the final draft of the plan which was consulted on and submitted, have the right to appear and be heard by the inspectors, but all representations are taken into account. The hearings are public and anyone can attend them.
 
We are expecting hearings to take place during January and February 2025 and the timetable will be on the website once known.  In the mean time if anyone has any queries please e mail the Programme Officer – ian@localplanservices.co.uk - who is now the main link between BCP Council and the Inspectors.
 
Multi Authority Devolution Deal
throughout the period of BCP Council’s existence they have had to consider a range of options for devolution.  This is something that the government expects all councils to engage with.  Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) have now been stopped and they will all be dismantled within the next 12 months or so.  They have been used over the last decade to cascade large funding pots for areas larger than individual council areas for infrastructure etc.  They will be replaced by devolution deals.  If councils do not actively seek something that works, they will just be added to other councils for the purpose of delivering funding, or receive nothing.  Meetings have been held with the leaders of Wiltshire, Swindon, Somerset, North Somerset and Dorset to consider a Wessex Deal.  BCP is preparing an expression of interest (EOI).  Devolution could mean having a Mayor or it could be more of an economic partnership, but it will have to be approved through the BCP democratic processes. 
 
It is our understanding that the purpose of an Expression of Interest so that the Government can get an understanding of Local Authorities’ inclinations on mayoral/non-mayoral, footprint and considerations as well as the appetite for devolution as a whole, to help inform the English Devolution Bill.  We are told that the EOI is not a binding agreement, instead it is feedback on the government's devolution policy.  We don't really know how much say we will get with devolution as it is a framework in which government pass down decision making. What does seem to be clear is that devolution is coming whether we like it or not.
 
We have been asked by Jumpers and St Catherine's hill Community Matters to update on the following 3 sites:
 
The Police Station/Magistrates Court Site
You will be aware that this site has planning permission and the situation is that BCP is still finalising a few details on a some of the planning conditions before they can be discharged and proceed on site. In addition, the developers still need to mitigate the impact of phosphates from waste water, which ultimately discharges to the River Avon, arising from the development before they can continue, most likely by purchasing credits from accepted third party mitigation providers. The process for doing that has not been finalised but will hopefully be in place soon. One other issue was the discovery of burial remains but an archaeological investigation was a condition of the grant of planning and apparently this will not cause undue delays.
 
Proposals for Former Southern Gas Network Site, Bridge Street, Christchurch
In the September Newsletter we told you that Churchill have submitted an appeal to the Planning Inspectorate for BCP’s non-determination of their application. There is confirmation that the appeal will be determined by Public Inquiry which will commence in late February and should last around 12 days.
 
We understand that had BCP been in in a position to determine the application it would have been refused and they will defend that position at the Inquiry. There are several potential reasons for refusal, just a few of which are flood risk, harm to the character of the area and significance of heritage assets, and mitigation for phosphates. 
 
Queensmead, Bronte Avenue
In the last Newsletter we told you that the Council had commissioned an Options Appraisal on the site and building as to whether it would be suitable to support BCP’s Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Improvement Plan for children. This report set out high level feasibility and tested as to whether:

• the site has enough space – answer yes
• the footprint of the building has enough space -answer no
• whether the building is fit for the purpose – answer no

Therefore if the site were to be used for SEND provision the building would require demolition and a new bespoke building would need to be constructed.  Currently, based on the resources of the Council this would not be affordable. However, the project could be taken forward if the Council were to receive funding from a capital bid which has been made to the Department of Education.  BCP is still assessing the overall situation and following up on the bid to Government.
 
As always, feel free to contact us on any issue
Cllr. Margaret Phipps – margaret.phipps@bcpcouncil.gov.uk
 - Tel: 01202 478266
Cllr. Vanessa Ricketts – vanessa.ricketts@bcpcouncil.gov.uk
– Tel: 07760 391467
 

BCP Council announces campaign to promote free bus travel

An initiative aimed at encouraging more people to make use of their free bus pass has been launched by Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council, in partnership with local bus operator Morebus.

Operating a range of services throughout the region, Morebus links Bournemouth, Poole, Ringwood, Blandford, Wimborne and Swanage.

The campaign, ‘It’s Free to go by Bus’, has been launched alongside the UK government’s ‘Take the Bus’, with the intent to promote bus travel to concessionary passholders by showcasing financial, social, accessible and sustainable benefits.

Statistics show that national concessionary journeys have reduced by 36% since the Covid-19 pandemic, suggesting that many people have not returned to using bus services since being warned away for health reasons in 2020.

Anybody of state pension age (66 or over), or those with a qualifying disability, can apply for their free bus pass online.
Also, any paying adult or concessionary passholder can also take up to two children aged seven or under onto the bus with them free of charge.

Julian McLaughlin, director of infrastructure at BCP Council, added: “If you are of state pension age, or have a qualifying disability, we strongly encourage you to consider applying for a free bus pass, which will allow you to travel for free and use your money for more enjoyable things.”

DVSA issues warning about parking fine scam text messages

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) is warning that scammers are sending text messages about fake DVSA parking penalty charges.

Car parking scams are unfortunately becoming more common. Here are a few types to be aware of:

1. Fake DVSA Text Messages: Scammers send text messages claiming to be from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), demanding payment for parking fines. These messages often contain links to fraudulent websites designed to steal personal and financial information

2. Quishing: This involves placing fake QR codes next to official "pay by phone" stickers on parking machines. When scanned, these QR codes direct users to fraudulent websites where their banking information is stolen

3. Fake Parking Apps: Scammers create fake versions of popular parking payment apps, which appear at the top of online search results. These apps trick users into entering their bank details, which are then stolen

To protect yourself:

• Verify the source: Check if the message or app is genuinely from a reputable organization.

• Look for spelling and grammar mistakes: Scam messages often contain errors.

• Avoid clicking on suspicious links: Instead, visit the official website directly.

• Report scams: If you receive a suspicious message, report it to the relevant authorities.
   

 

Entertainment Line-Up: Music, Magic, and Holiday Cheer

 

Exciting News!

cliick for full list of events

Carer Friendly ID Card

The Carer Friendly ID Card is provided by Forward Carers and is available for free to unpaid carers who register with our carers information service. The card is also available for existing registered carers who need to renew an expired carers card.

The card can be used as a simple way of proving you are a carer when you are out and about, to provide In Case of Emergency (ICE) contact details and to access deals and discounts from on services or goods at businesses displaying the carers card symbol.

In order to access your free carers card, you need to register with the Carers Information Service. You can join by completing a quick online form:

• Caring for someone in Bournemouth, Christchurch or Poole

Or sign up by telephone by calling:

• 01202 128 787 if you care for someone in Bournemouth, Christchurch or Poole

Once registered, we will send you a welcome pack with everything you need to apply for your Carer Friendly ID card. Once you have received this welcome pack, you will need to apply online for the card. Please note, this is a photo ID card, and you will need to upload a head and shoulder image of yourself.
 

Home library service

The home library service is for anyone who cannot visit a library and does not have anyone who can borrow and return items for them.   

The service, run in partnership with the Royal Voluntary Service, is completely free and there are no overdue charges.   

Our free delivery service offers:  

• books 
• large print books 
• audio books 
• jigsaws 
• CDs 
• DVDs 
• reminiscence material for people with dementia and their carers.  

How it works 

When you apply for the service, we’ll visit you to talk about your needs and find out what you like to read and listen to.   

We can then choose books, audio books and other items for you. These will be delivered every 4 weeks by one of our friendly volunteers, who will also collect items you’ve finished with.  

At each visit you can ask us to bring specific books that you want to read, though there may be a waiting list for the more popular titles.  

Eligibility 

The home library service is available if you cannot get to a library because of age or disability, or because you are caring for someone.   

The service can also be used by those recovering from a long illness or hospital stay, as well as those who have a longer-term requirement.  

Get in touch 

If you would like to use our home library service, email the Royal Voluntary Service Home Library Manager at dorsetwiltshirehub@royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk or call 01305 236 666. 

The YMCA Big Sleep Easy

“The Big Sleep Easy” took place on Saturday 12th October 2024 at Talbot Heath School.

Sue Fotheringham, former JSCHRA chair, took part and won a prize for "AUTHENTICITY"
To make a donation or to find out more visit the YMCA website

 

Links and Contact Details