Kate Salmon said: “I am so, so pleased that Moordown Plus is staying open. This is a huge relief for local families who depend on the day centre to support them and their loved ones, and a real victory for our community. Closing it down would have been ludicrous given the £1 million refurbishment that took place in 2018. It’s a superb facility offering an excellent service for local residents.”

Joe Salmon questioned the evidence base for the proposal at the council meeting when the plans were first made public, while Kate reached out to decision makers and put the case for the centre to remain open. Kate organised a petition of more than 350 signatures from service users and residents, which was delivered to the portfolio holder for Health & Wellbeing.

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Other equipment in the park is also long overdue for refurbishment or replacement, and Kate and Joe continue to make the case that this should be a priority for council funding.

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This was alongside Simon Bull and Chris Rigby being safely returned in WINTON EAST with even bigger vote shares and majority percentages than last time.

Moordown

This was Kate Salmon and Joe Salmon’s moment of resounding victory, taking two Conservative seats.

Kate Salmon says: “A HUGE thank you to everyone in Moordown for your faith in us. We are so ready to get started with the real work now – speaking up for you and doing everything we can to tackle the issues you’ve raised with us. We’re proud to be part of such a brilliant local community.”

Joe Salmon says: “Thanks to everyone who voted in the election. Kate and I are both incredibly happy to have the opportunity to represent our neighbourhood, and can’t wait to get started.”

Queen’s park & Charminster

This was the moment that Alasdair Keddie topped the poll in the Queen’s Park & Charminster ward in the BCP Council election:

Commiserations to Nicole Nagel for falling just 62 votes short of joining him on BCP Council.

Councillor Alasdair Keddie with his new ward colleague, Labour Councillor Sharon Carr-Brown. Previously Queen’s Park & Charminster had two Conservative councillors.

Alasdair wrote: “I am overjoyed… I can’t wait to get to work with Sharon Carr-Brown, in service to our local community.”

Councillor Alasdair Keddie is a long-time close friend and activist colleague of Councillor Chris Rigby.

There had been emotional scenes in the count hall after several hours of tension at the Queen’s Park & Charminster ward count tables, as Chris embraced Alasdair when the provisional official news of Alasdair’s closeish but clear victory first came through.

They can’t wait to work together on BCP Council!

Winton east

This was the moment Simon Bull and Chris Rigby were safely returned, with even bigger vote shares and majorities than in 2019:

Simon Bull commented: “Thank you so much to the residents of Winton East. Chris Rigby and I are so humbled by your support and we will continue to do our best for the ward and the wider BCP area. We are joined by three new Green councillors – they will work hard for their wards and BCP.”

Chris Rigby writes: “I love this photo! 4 years ago I was a nervous wreck on stage and afterwards my hand shaking so bad I could barely sign all the paperwork to officially make me a councillor.

“This time I was also nervous, but focused, and filled with purpose. With three new Green colleagues joining Simon and I, and with their wards bordering Winton East there is no limit on what we can achieve together. Somebody yesterday described it as the green heart of Bournemouth and I like that a lot.”

“THANK YOU to everyone who made this possible, by going out and voting Green. Both Simon and I have increased majority %’s and I am so humbled and grateful for the trust you put in me to represent you and Winton East. I do not take this for granted and I’ll once again give it my all.”

East Cliff & Springbourne

In our fourth key ward of East Cliff & Springbourne, Sara Armstrong fell short by just 12 votes, taking 830 (28.9%) as Conservative councillor Anne Filer just clung on with 842 (29.3%). Labour unseated the other two Conservatives.

Commiserations to East Cliff and Springbourne Greens for coming so very close to a breakthrough with their hugely energetic ‘late surge’ ward campaign. Thank you to everyone who supported Sara, Paul and Louise in any way.

Sara Armstrong commented: “We want to thank everyone who has supported us through engagement, voting and volunteering. We remain committed to our community…… this is only the beginning.”

The Liberal Democrats won 28 of BCP Council’s 76 seats, while the Conservatives were reduced from 36 to just 12.

This means that the Lib Dems as the largest party will not be able to govern without some support from (probably) at least two other political groups.

Councillor Simon Bull chats to the presumptive new Leader of BCP Council, Councillor Vikki Slade

Green Party candidates at the very end of the all-day election count

From left to right: Paul Gray [East Cliff and Springbourne], Nick Tidiman [Boscombe West], Councillor Kate Salmon [Moordown], Louise Kenchington and Sara Armstrong [East Cliff & Springbourne], Nicole Nagel [Queen’s Park & Charminster], Councillor Chris Rigby and Councillor Simon Bull [Winton East], Councillor Alasdair Keddie [Queen’s Park & Charminster].

Photos [except the second and last ones]: Richard Crease Photography w | f | t | i 
Second photo of Kate and Joe Salmon: Steven Thomas 

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 “And something that comes up time and again, is the worrying increase in the amount of dog fouling on our local streets.”

Local campaigner Joe Salmon adds: “This is a serious issue. So we’ve contacted the Council on multiple occasions about this. One thing they were considering was the introduction of a Public Spaces Protection Order. This would really help the Council be able to properly enforce preventative measures. However, action on this seems to have stalled due to budget pressures.”

Conservative-run BCP Council has been forced into £35.1m of budget cuts for 2023/24 – plus the maximum Council Tax rise.

Kate says: “I’ve also suggested to the Council that they consider a public information campaign to raise awareness of this issue. And they have said that they will take that forward for consideration at this time.”

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Yet Moordown Green Party campaigner Kate Salmon is concerned at signs that the road is in overall bad repair. Several large cracks have appeared along the central line. Kate has reported her concerns to BCP Council and asked for early action to prevent the situation worsening.

The post Spate of potholes in Moordown: Kate Salmon pushes Council for proper Castle Road repairs appeared first on Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole Green Party.