24 July 2025 / 26 July 2025 by chrishenderson
In a major step forward for local democracy and community-led planning, last week BCP Council's Cabinet has unanimously approved the designation of a Neighbourhood Area and the formation of a Neighbourhood Forum for East Cliff and Springbourne, This milestone follows months of dedicated community engagement, with three consultation processes and over 200 responses - a clear sign of the appetite for greater local influence and collaboration.
Read more »
10 July 2025 / 14 July 2025 by chrishenderson
Winton East currently has the lowest level of tree canopy cover - high branches offering shade - of any area in our conurbation. Winton East's Green Councillors Simon Bull and Chris Rigby have secured over £21,000, mostly Community Infrastructure funds [levied from developers], for more street trees in Winton.
9 July 2025 / 14 July 2025 by chrishenderson
Treasure, a community group who work to support local victims of domestic abuse, have secured funding from BCP Council’s Ward Improvement Fund. They were supported in this by local Green councillors Simon Bull and Chris Rigby. This grant will be used to redecorate the community room they use at St Alban’s Church on Linwood Road. It will also benefit other users of that space.
7 July 2025 / 14 July 2025 by chrishenderson
Hard-working Green councillors for Winton East, Simon Bull and Chris Rigby, arranged for the fence between the upper and lower sections of Winton Library Gardens to be removed. This follows last year’s re-opening of the lower section of the Gardens after years of work by Simon and Chris. Meanwhile, a new community information board is on the way to Fampoux Gardens between Green Road and Firbank Road.
12 June 2025 / 14 July 2025 by chrishenderson
Bournemouth North Neighbourhood Inspector Richard Honeywill has retired. He has been replaced by Inspector Scott Janes. Hard-working local Green councillors Simon Bull and Chris Rigby have already held two meetings with Insp Janes. They have discussed the current hot local topics of anti-social behaviour, drug dealing, and nuisance electric motorbikes - particularly all around Wimborne Road.
17 May 2025 / 14 July 2025 by chrishenderson
Simon Bull, Green Councillor for Winton East, has raised concerns about closures of local medical centres in the Winton area, forcing local residents to travel further to see a GP. Now the Bournemouth Daily Echo reports that Winton Health Centre on Alma Road, where over 10,000 patients had been registered, may reopen by next year with new NHS funding. Meanwhile, the proposed closure of Banks Medical Centre on Wimborne Road, with transfer of patient registrations to a site in Bearwood, has not taken place.
17 December 2024 / 14 July 2025 by chrishenderson
Alarming holes have appeared in recent months on Acland Road in Winton East. The cause of these collapses has been weaknesses in Wessex Water's sewer lateral under the road. BCP Council undertook emergency road repairs as short-term resolution. Wessex Water also had to close the road to fix a collapse in the sewer caused by their jetting work to remove a blockage.
1 December 2024 / 14 July 2025 by chrishenderson
Now that there is a new permanent Headteacher in place at St Luke's School in Winton East, Green Councillor Chris Rigby is once again helping with the development of a school travel plan. Chris has been speaking to Mr Godfrey and they are working with BCP's Sustainable Travel team. The first aim is to find ways to reduce the traffic congestion around the school at dropoff/pickup times. Chris added: "Once that's done, we can look at other schemes to assist the school, and try to make it safer for the kids getting there in the mornings."
27 November 2024 / 28 December 2024 by chrishenderson
In 2023, Winton's Christmas lights were cancelled, and BCP Council decided not to provide them any more, as part of ongoing cuts. Thanks to the fundraising efforts of Karl Payne, director of The Forge Garage in Winton, Winton East Green councillor Chris Rigby was able to work with him and BCP Council to get them back in place for 2024.
7 October 2024 / 19 October 2024 by chrishenderson
Green Councillor for East Cliff & Springbourne Sara Armstrong says: "As we approach the close of the consultation in this stage to agree the boundaries of our Neighbourhood Plan and enable a Forum, I've been asked by residents about the benefits of Neighbourhood Planning. Neighbourhood plans can benefit communities in many ways."