Published on Monday 22 September 2025
A specially appointed group of councillors examining proposals to change how people are represented locally, have recommended the establishment of three new town councils across Bournemouth and Poole.
The Task and Finish group, a politically balanced, cross-party group of 10 councillors was appointed by BCP Council and have now published their recommendations following a Community Governance Review and consultation that took place earlier in the year.
The group have recommended the establishment of three new bodies; Broadstone Town Council, Bournemouth Town Council and Poole Town Council.
These authorities would replace the existing Charter Trustees as a separate tier under BCP Council and have responsibility for their own budgets.
There are more than 10,000 parish and town councils in England. Parish and town councils may run numerous services, depending on their size, such as allotments, car parks, celebrations and festivals.
The services a parish or town council decides to create depends on the needs of their areas; the bodies do not manage statutory services such as Children’s and Adult’s Services.
A Community Governance Review is a legal process which provides an opportunity to review, create and make changes to governance arrangements for town and parish councils and parish areas.
The recommendations will now be subject to the normal democratic process and will be considered before the council’s Overview and Scrutiny Board, Cabinet, and hearing of full Council in October.
Councillor Oliver Walters, Chair of the Task and Finish group, said: “The Task and Finish Group was appointed by Council to oversee the review and to make draft and then final recommendations.
“As part of our work, we analysed all comments submitted by residents and organisations through the consultation.
“The group considered various options in developing these final recommendations. Ward councillors and representatives of the existing parish and town councils were invited to submit written representations and to attend and address the group.
“The final recommendations bring Poole, Bournemouth and Broadstone back in line with the rest of Dorset; allows for the removal of the Charter Trustees, replacing with the town councils, and delivers further decision-making power back into the hands of the people living in these areas.”
Councillor Millie Earl, Leader of BCP Council, said: “Council made a commitment to look at ways in which we could give our communities more say over the decisions that affect their local area and this review reflects that.
“I would like to thank the task and finish group who were commissioned by Council to oversee the review and make draft and final recommendations.
“A wide variety of views have been expressed through the consultation, and I would like to thank all of those who took the time to take part and provide us with vital information that have helped shape and inform the group’s recommendations.
“I now look forward to the recommendations going through the normal democratic scrutiny process which will provide all councillors with an opportunity for healthy and meaningful debate on this important matter.”
Democratic timeline for Community Governance Review report recommendations
- 30/09 Report discussed at Overview and Scrutiny Board
- 01/10 Report presented to Cabinet
- 14/10 Report discussed at Full Council
Media can access the Community Governance Review report and recommendations via this link here