Bournemouth Town Hall. THE main opposition group on BCP Council will put a greater focus on green projects and social care through its budget amendment proposals at Tuesday s full council meeting, it said. Funded through a further council tax rise and the removal of more than £2 million earmarked for regeneration, the Unity Alliance said its budget was “fair, prudent and responsible”. But concerns have been raised in the hospitality and arts sectors with industry leaders saying it amounted to “abandoning” some of the region’s biggest employers. Agreed on Friday, the Unity Alliance s amendments include a £1 million respite fund for carers and a hold on any increase in social care charges.
BCP Council towed away 13 vehicles in the summer of 2020 TOWING powers to remove cars parked illegally across the conurbation will continue to be used this year, council chiefs have confirmed. BCP Council launched a trial of the towaway measures last summer following a spate of issues across the three towns. This move was made when the Unity Alliance administration had been in control of the local authority, with then transport cabinet member Cllr Andy Hadley saying there was no choice but to action in response to the problem that had arisen. The council used the powers to move 13 vehicles last summer, although they were not available during the busy post-lockdown months of June and July.
An aerial view of Christchurch merging with Bournemouth, and Poole COUNCIL tax charged by BCP Council is to rise by an average of 1.55 per cent this year – a figure it claims is the lowest in the country. Proposals within its draft budget include a £50 million pandemic recovery fund and £10 million to improve education provision for children with extra needs. Councillor Drew Mellor, its leader, said the plan allowed it to “invest significantly” without putting the burden on ratepayers. For the first time since it was formed in 2019, BCP Council will charge the same level of council tax in each of the three towns.