Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council

The meeting focused first on BCP’s draft growth plan, including its governance, consultation approach, key economic interventions, and how it links to devolution, local transport, planning, and regeneration. Members raised strong concerns about democratic accountability, public consultation, deliverability, and the need to include resilience, skills, apprenticeships, community enterprise and energy security. The second major topic was the 2025/26 financial outturn and medium term financial plan, where the council reported severe demand-led pressure in children’s and adult social care, SEND deficit risk, asset condition and maintenance backlogs, and the need for savings, capital receipts, and tighter budget control.

The committee refused a 7-bed HMO at 41 Shillito Road after hearing objections about overdevelopment, amenity space, parking pressure and HMO concentration, and then approved changes to the temporary indoor paddle facility at land south of the A35/Upton Road in Creekmoor, including reduced building scale, revised parking/cycle provision, and screening conditions. Members also discussed the need for wider work on HMO demand/supply and an Article 4 direction, but no formal decision on that was taken.

The meeting focused on a licensing application for the Taste of the Caribbean Food and Drink Festival at Muscliffe Park, including noise controls, alcohol sales, crowd management, parking, litter, and child safeguarding. Members probed the applicant’s event management arrangements, site layout, resident notifications, and compliance with environmental health conditions. No procurement decision was made, but the hearing highlighted operational requirements and external services likely needed for future event delivery.

The committee reviewed the museum’s performance, including a successful admission price rise, visitor income growth, and plans to expand exhibitions and marketing. Significant procurement-related matters included urgent building repairs under the MEND programme, replacement CCTV, fire compartmentalisation, PR support for a major tempura exhibition, disposal of surplus taxidermy, and the ongoing transfer to independent governance with associated ICT and staff transition work.

The committee focused on two major procurement/governance pressures: the council’s SEND deficit recovery and related finance/audit implications, and the exempt Carter’s Quay regeneration report due to live negotiations. Members also discussed audit timetable acceleration, audit fee movements, independent member appointments, and tracking of governance recommendations. Several actions were agreed to tighten follow-up and bring further briefings to committee.

The committee considered three planning matters. The first, a theme park application at Meriton Lane, was deferred to allow officers time to assess late-submitted information and address highway and Green Belt concerns. The second, a 20-flat redevelopment on Holdenhurst Road, was approved after debate about housing need, loss of commercial space, parking, heritage, and design. The third, changes to the Hawkwood Road car park scheme were approved subject to an addendum condition and legal agreement, despite objections about parking loss and the wider regeneration package.