The LibDem Alliance run BCP Council has commenced consultation on their proposals for a new layer of local government across the area.  The proposals, including a Bournemouth Town Council, do not replace BCP Council, they just add more cost to council taxpayers for the same services.

 These large Town and Parish Councils are proposed in addition to the current Council which is funded by you as a council taxpayer. They do not come with any statutory powers, yet there is no cap to the tax they can charge. They can therefore charge tax for services you currently receive from BCP Council, if the Council decides to stop funding those services. This will lead to three layers of local government with many more Councillors. Typically, in places such as Weymouth, Blandford and Falmouth they charge an additional £200, to more than £400 per year extra for the services which you expect to be provided by BCP Council, which itself is already at considerable cost to local residents.

 Many residents will struggle to afford any more than they are paying already.

 Please see attached the leaflet which we shall be delivering across Bournemouth West – if you can help with deliveries then please let us know.

 When completing the consultation, please remember that BCP Council have said that they will ignore any responses to the consultation which mention the new taxes or additional cost. Therefore, we suggest that you highlight this unnecessary additional layer of local government and bureaucracy, and stress that these services should be delivered by BCP Council. The LibDem run Council should be improving services rather than creating new councils to do their job for them. The last thing we need is more Councillors!

 Please make sure that you make your views known and help to stop this madness.

Bournemouth West Conservative Association

To take part in the survey online and find out more: haveyoursay.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/cgr-consultation

All responses will be carefully considered before a final recommendation is drawn up for a Full Council meeting on 14th October 2025.