Town councils recommended despite public opposition

Residents across Bournemouth and Poole have made clear their opposition to new town councils, but draft recommendations published by a council review group say three will still be created.

The consultation, which ran from March to June, asked residents about six possible new parish and town councils.

Figures showed overwhelming opposition, with 82 percent against in Boscombe, 76 percent in Bournemouth, and 74 percent in Southbourne. Many raised concerns about extra costs being added to council tax bills.

Despite this, the Task and Finish Group of ten cross-party councillors has recommended establishing Bournemouth Town Council, Poole Town Council and Broadstone Town Council. These would replace the existing Charter Trustees and run as a separate tier beneath BCP Council with responsibility for their own budgets.

Councillor Oliver Walters, who chaired the review group, said the recommendations would “deliver further decision-making power back into the hands of the people living in these areas” and bring Bournemouth and Poole into line with the rest of Dorset.

Council Leader Millie Earl said the process was about giving communities more say in local matters. She thanked residents and organisations who contributed to the consultation, adding she looked forward to the scrutiny and debate when the proposals go before councillors in October.

But others disagreed. Councillor Judes Butts said residents had been ignored, calling the decision “a shameful betrayal of democracy.”

Bournemouth East MP Tom Hayes added: “Overwhelming majorities reject the creation of new town and parish councils. Local people don’t want more red tape and extra layers of bureaucracy.”