Greens to oppose town councils plan
The party wants money spent locally instead
Green Party councillors will oppose establishing new town councils instead calling for community investment.
BCP Councils Green group will vote against new town councils in Bournemouth, Poole and Broadstone, saying “plans are being pushed from the top down and will not deliver what local communities really need”.
The group says that town and parish councils only work when they grow naturally from within communities, not when they are imposed. Adding that cuts from central government over the years has left local authorities under pressure and new town councils will defect from problems rather than solve them.
Green councillors have been improving communities by gaining funding from external sources. Councillor Alasdair Keddie has secured £75,000 for improvements to Queens Park play area and an application to get £50,000 is planned for Cyril Park.
Councillor Sara Armstrong has secured over £103,000 for play equipment, green spaces, extra security measures such as CCTV and lighting to tackle antisocial behaviour, extra bins and establishing a community constituted group to bid for funding.
Councillors Kate and Joe Salmon have secured £50,000 of funding for improvements to road safety, play areas, community buildings and green spaces over the last two years.
The Greens also directly challenged other councillors and local MPs saying “You’re against these town councils, but what’s your plan? It’s easy to say no without an alternative. Bournemouth MPs Tom Hayes and Jessica Toale have said they don’t support them, but what are they doing to make sure their government brings proper investment back into our communities? Residents deserve answers, not just jumping on bandwagons.”
Green group leader councillor Chris Rigby said: “We all want thriving local communities with festivals, like arts by the sea, Christmas lights across the districts and well-kept parks. but the current town council plans are not the answer. They are being forced through without local leadership and risk costing residents more while doing little to fix the real problem, which is the broken funding system for councils.”
Cllr Keddie said: “This shows what’s possible when councillors and communities work together,” adding, “We’re not waiting for permission from Westminster or the Town Hall. We’re out there delivering real results for local people, finding creative new solutions that really empower our communities and bring people together to make change through collaboration.”