Sara’s letter to David Sidwick

“Domestic abuse is far too common in the UK, and its harmful impacts on survivors can extend to many areas of their lives, including mental health, physical wellbeing, family safety, housing and homelessness.

Latest figures estimate that Over 2 million women are victims of violence perpetrated by men each year in an epidemic that’s become so serious, police chiefs are calling it a “national emergency” and are treating it as a “national threat”.

Crimes including stalking, harassment, sexual assault and domestic violence affect one in 12 women in England and Wales, with the number of recorded offences growing by 37% in the past five years and the perpetrators of domestic violence getting younger.

One in 6 homicides are related to domestic violence.

20% of all police recorded crimes are counted as violence against women.

1 in 4 women in England and Wales will experience domestic abuse in their life time and it can take a woman 7 attempts before they can leave for good.

Domestic violence due to its very nature is massively unreported, on average victims experience 35 incidences of abuse before reporting to the police and 50 incidents before they get effective help. It’s estimated that 3 women a week die from suicide as a result of domestic violence and 8 women a month are murdered by their male partner or ex partner.

Some factors that have been attributed to the rise in violence against women and girls include:

Misogynistic online content, the failure of existing systems to protect women, and the increase in the numbers of young men being radicalised.

These national figures are extremely alarming and demonstrate that law enforcement alone will not tackle the scale of this. It’s going to take a societal shift.

This brings me to what are we doing closer to home to tackle this epidemic and what do we know about the scale and impact of it on our residents? How much of a priority is it for you?

What data do we have for BCP and how do we compare with the national picture?

Do we have a full understanding of the scale of the problem and the root causes in our communities? How many women in BCP are affected?

What does a whole systems approach look like and what progress is being made to drive standards and consistency forwards across BCP?

What resources are in place and are they sufficient to meet such a growing need?

What actions do we need the government to take?

Domestic violence destroys lives and it needs to stop. We will not tolerate it in our communities.”

Cllr Sara Armstrong

Help with domestic abuse – BCP Council webpage

The post Cllr Sara Armstrong quizzes Dorset Police & Crime Commissioner over violence against women and girls appeared first on Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole Green Party.

Neighbourhood plans can benefit communities in many ways:

Additional resources
More CIL monies and an evidence base to bid for more much needed resources for our ward.

Community ownership
Neighbourhood plans give communities more say in shaping their local area’s development and growth.

Local issues
Communities can gain a better understanding of local issues and how to address them.

Community engagement
Neighbourhood planning can bring a community together.

Vision
Communities can establish a vision for their area, including what they want their neighbourhood to look like in the future.

Planning policies
Communities can influence planning policies that set out where new development should be located and how it should be designed.

Local green spaces
Communities can identify and protect local green spaces.

Certainty
Neighbourhood plans can provide greater certainty for developers and communities about the allocation of housing sites.

Quality development
Neighbourhood plans can improve the quality of development and help to respond better to the character and heritage of local areas.

Sara adds: “In a short video filmed last year I introduced the value of Neighbourhood Plans and my commitments to our community.

The post Sara Armstrong explains the benefits of the proposed East Cliff & Springbourne neighbourhood plan appeared first on Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole Green Party.

King’s Park lies in the westernmost corner of Littledown & Iford ward, but bordering both East Cliff & Springbourne and Boscombe.

The full reply:

We are working with the suppliers of the play equipment to see if any short term remedies can be found to get some equipment back in to use. As you will be aware, with a spending freeze that includes basic maintenance of play areas, we are very limited in what we can currently do. Unfortunately, this means we are having to fence off play equipment.

We are writing a ‘Play Plan’, a strategy to support BCP Council’s 179 individual spaces with play facilities. Through the strategy, we will understand the needs and required investment of these spaces and be able to advocate for funding and start investing in these important spaces.

A masterplan for Kings Park has long been on the project list to support future design and infrastructure decisions. This is not currently being progressed and we have been expecting the football club to bring forward new stadium plans.”

Play Strategy aiming for December Cabinet meeting. Engagement being planned with Councillors before that.

I’ve contacted Neighbourhood Planning to ask if an extension to the neighbourhood plan area to include the western part of the park is even possible due to the added complexity of the ward boundaries and if so, would that support the direction of CIL monies in the short term?

I understand that applications will be made to the strategic CIL funds (bigger separate pot) to support the investment case of the Play plan strategy and will also rely on external or alternative funding too.

The consultation closes soon on October 7th.

https://haveyoursay.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/ecs-forum-area

Would be great to hear your thoughts.

The post Fenced-off play equipment in King’s Park: Sara Armstrong receives reply from Council boss appeared first on Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole Green Party.

Sara says: “The team are working up some ideas which ward councillors can take out into the community for consultation.

“The money needs to be spent by March 2025. £10k won’t go very far so we’re also looking into ways we can attract in more funding to enhance this important community space.

“Preserving our green spaces is vital for mental health, wellbeing, play and making connections with others. Many residents have been concerned about the parks in our area, in particular about play equipment.

“This is an issue very close to my own heart having grown up in the area and raised two children here. I remember taking my own children to this play park after a visit to the library and it being buzzing with other families enjoying a picnic together and having fun after school. I’d like to see that happening again.

“Please get in touch if you’d like to get involved in this project, give feedback or share ideas about the future of Springbourne District Centre.

“We have also heard the concerns expressed from users of the park and residents close by, about the loss of the beloved swing and the deteriorating sponge flooring.

“In light of this we have asked that this investment be directed to the park to maximise the benefit to the community. I attach a visual for feedback about the type of equipment preferred – a basket swing or an octopus seasaw?

“The sponge flooring will also be repaired.

“There is a fantastic opportunity for residents to get more involved with shaping potential developments in Springbourne district – from supporting the library and park as a member of a ‘friends of’ community group, getting involved with any fundraising, community events, volunteering or as a business owner from setting up a Business Watch or simply supporting a ‘buy local’ campaign by taking one of our BCP ‘buy local’ packs.

“There are plenty of good examples of community involvement around parks and district centres such as Churchill Gardens, Seafield Gardens, Winton Library Garden and now our own re emerging Friends of Knyveton and Spencer Gardens.

“If you are a park user please let us know which piece of equipment would work best for the children in the area in your opinion or if you would like to become a ‘Friend of Springbourne Park and Library’. Forming a community group will help us to access funding the council can’t apply for.”

The post Sara Armstrong discusses plans for £10,000 prosperity grant for Springbourne appeared first on Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole Green Party.

“Maddie’s Miracle is a charity set up by parents who experienced a gap in the support available to assist with breastfeeding and perinatal care. They set up Maddie’s Miracle to address that.

“It was great to meet mums and their new babies who are thriving as a result of the professional support and caring networks for parents provided by this micro charity who have big ambitions!

“If you’re recently pregnant or have a new baby, check them out.”

The post Sara Armstrong joins birthday celebrations for local breastfeeding and perinatal care charity appeared first on Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole Green Party.

Councillor Sara Armstrong (East Cliff & Springbourne) said: “Reclaiming the park as a community is an important step in combating the type of ASB that has blighted this part of our neighbourhood for decades.

“I’m proud to be one of the very first members.

“Thank you to Councillor Alasdair Keddie (Queen’s Park & Charminster) for dropping in and hearing residents share their experiences of reporting and to Mark Elkins for chairing.

“Thank you Cllr Moriarty for your partnership and to all those who attended.

“Thank you Knyveton Gardens Bowling Club for allowing us to meet in your space.

“If you would like to join the Friends Of Knyvveton & Spencer Gardens Group or volunteer in the park please email me and I’ll connect you with the group.”

The post Sara Armstrong and Alasdair Keddie support launch of Friends of Knyveton & Spencer Gardens appeared first on Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole Green Party.

Sara said: “The sex industry has existed in East Cliff – the Southcote, St Francis and Knyveton areas – for as long as I can remember. The reasons for it are complex and the impacts are far reaching.

“I’ve been calling for a multi-agency approach to understand the root causes and hear the voices of those involved and affected, create an Action Plan and provide the much needed support to vulnerable women and their families to help them exit prostitution.

“I am told that Dorset Police and the Dorset Police & Crime Commissioner are still awaiting latest police guidance – this can’t come soon enough.

https://www.college.police.uk/app/major-investigation-and-public-protection/sex-work-and-prostitution

“Please keep reporting. It helps the police build up an evidence base which they need to allocate resources ie. more visible police officers.

“As a resident – what is your perception and experience of this issue? Please feel free to email me if you’d prefer to be anonymous. I’ve also started a POLL on the East Cliff & Springbourne Residents Group.”

Photo credit: underclassrising.net

The post Sara Armstrong investigates possible responses to East Cliff’s sex industry appeared first on Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole Green Party.

“BCP Council is consulting on the proposed East Cliff and Springbourne Neighbourhood Forum and Area boundary.

“Eastcliff and Springbourne Residents Group has applied to the council for a neighbourhood forum and BCP Council are now seeking comments on the application which includes designating a neighbourhood area.

“The consultation period will run for seven weeks, starting on 19 August and ending on 7 October 2024.

“Huge thanks to everyone involved so far! When we achieve our own Neighbourhood Plan and have an active Neighbourhood Forum it will really make a difference in terms of planning, development and getting more resources for our community.

“Please have your say using this link.”

The post Proposal for East Cliff & Springbourne Neighbourhood plan progresses to next stage appeared first on Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole Green Party.

Sara says: “It was great to meet our new librarians Rowena and Ellie. Library opening hours have been recently reduced. It was good to share ideas about how we can preserve our vital library services and make use of the building as a community hub despite these changes.”

The post Sara Armstrong tidies up around Springbourne Library, rehomes plants from King’s Park Nursery appeared first on Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole Green Party.

Sara reported the pictured mess in Holdenhurst Road to the Waste Investigations Support & Enforcement (WISE) team, commenting: “Fly tipping, overflowing rubbish and the amount of bins left on streets is a growing concern for residents at this end of Holdenhurst Road.”

She received a response that officers went out the very next morning, speaking with residents and investigating the source of the fly tipping. They made a repeat visit to meet more residents and issue caution letters. The waste was subsequently completely cleared:

They have also increased patrols along Holdenhurst Road which has led to further enforcement action.

Sara Armstrong commented: “Thank you to the WISE team and BCP Council officers for all your hard work to clear this well known fly-tipping hot spot.

“This is a really positive outcome from working together as partners – officers, residents, business owners and myself as your ward councillor – to keep this area clear, and send out strong messages that fly-tipping is not welcome on our streets.”

Meanwhile in July, Sara reported this portaloo on Shelbourne Close which was obstructing the highway.

It was gone the following day:

Sara again thanked BCP Council.

Sara commented: “Fly-tipping is a blight in our communities and we must address it with education, reporting and enforcement whilst making it easy for residents to dispose of their rubbish more responsibly.

“Please keep up the reporting. The more red dots there are on the map the more resources we will get to help us address the issues.”

The post Fly-tipping on Holdenhurst road and shelbourne close removed after sara armstrong acts appeared first on Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole Green Party.