Month: October 2021

Households who are struggling to afford food, energy and water bills this winter are to receive support through the Household Support Fund scheme delivered through BCP Council and its partners. Councillors at today’s Cabinet meeting (27 October 2021) approved the co-ordinated approach to allocate and enable access to £2.6m grant funding for the following: • Establish a flexible food voucher scheme to provide food support through the holiday periods and help children, young people and their families who are identified as needing support. • Approve the allocation of £90,000 for support with keeping warm through the provision of school uniform, coats and shoes. • Approve the allocation of £270,000 funding to Citizen’s Advice BCP to provide advice and support to residents with utility bills and ‘winter warmth’ costs through a…

The new fountain was partially paid for by a gentleman called Ed who wanted to commemorate his late Mother along with her love of dogs and this area of Bournemouth. This was all organised by the Parks Foundation https://parksfoundation.org.uk/ who have also installed another fountain in Winton Recreation ground. It was rather chaotic after the dogs were allowed access to the fountain but great fun and thanks to all who turned up and glad to see it being used.

BCP Council is pleased to confirm that following a successful tender process, Track Systems based in Shropshire have been awarded the contract to construct a new railway track and engine shed at Poole Park Railway. Poole Park Railway was suspended in 2018 following a number of derailments and resignations of volunteers. BCP Council has awarded a contract for new facilities as part of a £350,000 investment. Volunteers took over as drivers, guards, and ticket office attendants after the attraction was threatened with closure. In May the following year, the then-Borough of Poole Council suspended the service amid safety concerns. Councillor Mark Anderson, Portfolio Holder for Environment, Cleansing and Waste, said: “BCP Council has always been committed to rebuilding Poole Park Railway, and awarding this contract is the first step in getting the…

BCP Conservative Councillor Drew Mellor made an appearance on BBC Politics South, with other guest Tom Hayes of Oxford City Council and member of the Labour Party, to share his thoughts on multiple issues as well as inform viewers of the work that is being done to help solve the issues in the South and BCP area. The issues discussed included the continuation of COVID safety measures, the ending of the furlough scheme and its effect on the population. On top of this the issues of inflation were discussed with mention of the support from the Government for businesses and individuals. Opinions on COP26 (2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference) were also discussed. To watch the whole interview follow this link: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m00110sm/politics-south-24102021

Official arrangements have now been revealed for the funeral of an MP who was killed. The funeral of murdered Conservative MP Sir David Amess will be at Westminster Cathedral on Tuesday, November 23. Cardinal Vincent Nichols, the leader of Roman Catholics in England and Wales, will preside at the 10:30am service. The father of five was killed while meeting constituents at Belfairs Methodist Church in Leigh earlier this month. Sir David, 69, was attacked shortly after midday while carrying out duties in his Southend West constituency. Ali Harbi Ali, 25, has been charged with the murder of MP Sir David Amess.

Pokesdown Station is due for renovations by the BCP Conservatives using some of their £50m futures fund, these renovations will include having lifts put in place in order to allow disabled access which the station has been lacking. Some of the team were out and about in Pokesown spreading the good news! Local Conservative Councillor Andy Jones has been working on getting this project underway for 10 years. Council Leader Drew Mellor also praised Andy for his long term efforts to get this result: "Whilst others have only come to this campaign in the last year or two and think the answer is launching petitions and Facebook rants, Andy's been working hard with the Council, Government, SWR & Network Rail to find this solution. Work will start soon and our…

As part of the Cleaner, Greener, Safer Campaign 28 roads across the BCP Council area are being resurfaced in the next few weeks. This exciting renovation will ensure that the BCP area is on the move and on the up!

The Home Secretary has said politicians will not be “cowed” following the fatal stabbing of MP Sir David Amess, which police believe may be linked to Islamist extremism. Priti Patel visited the scene at Belfairs Methodist Church in Leigh-on-Sea on Saturday morning alongside Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle to pay their respects to Sir David, less than 24 hours after he was killed at a constituency surgery. Ms Patel said security measures were being put in place to protect MPs but vowed they will carry on serving the country unimpeded in the face of the attack, which the Metropolitan Police have declared was a terrorist incident. Speaking at Southend Police Station, the Home Secretary said: “We will carry on, we…

Sir David Amess was an extremely kind man with a great wit, who would always light up a room. His killing is an attack on our democracy and no elected representative should have to work in fear of their safety. Southend West has lost a dedicated representative, and our country has lost a public servant of the highest merit. It is clear that he was well loved, represented his constituents brilliantly, and was highly respected on both sides of the house. Our thoughts are with his family and friends. RIP Sir David

Black History Month gives us an opportunity to celebrate diversity and the huge achievements of Black Britons and the Black community. You can join in with national and local events to celebrate. Visit the Black History Month website to find events in the South West: blackhistorymonth.org.uk/listings/region/south-west/#BlackHistoryMonth