Meet Amy Hardy, your Green Party candidate for Talbot and Branksome Woods

Born and raised locally, and giving back to the community – give Amy Hardy-For Talbot & Branksome Woods your vote on September 11th

Like many people, I’ve faced my share of challenges. I’ve experienced homelessness, domestic violence, and the daily realities of living with a disability. But through it all, it was my neighbours and my community who helped me get through. That support meant everything.

Now I want to give something back.

I’m standing because I believe in protecting the vulnerable, keeping our area safe, and rebuilding a real sense of community – where no one is left behind and everyone feels they belong.

I live right here in the ward, and know these streets. If we haven’t met yet, I can’t wait to say hi!

This campaign isn’t just about politics. It’s about people. And I’m ready to fight for all of us.

Amy Hardy

The post Talbot and Branksome Wood By-Election appeared first on Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole Green Party.

Work is now underway to regenerate the Woodpecker Play Area at Queen’s Park.

Over Summer half-term, children were invited to look at the options for new play equipment [pictured] and vote for what they liked the most.

The work in progress includes:

• Installation of the new multi-play equipment, chosen by the children – including an extra item to increase the amenities of the play park
• Repair of the basket and toddler swings
• Refurbishment of the accessibility ramp to ensure inclusive play
• Regeneration of the fort with new materials, selected to last against the elements.

Hard-working Green Councillor for Queen’s Park & Charminster, Alasdair Keddie, commented: “I’m really pleased that securing grant funding from the Veolia Environmental Trust has brought forward the repairs and improvements to the play area. This space has been sorely missed by families.

“We are at the front of play park regeneration in the whole conurbation. When the work is completed, we will have a destination-grade play area. Access to grant funding via the Forum has been a game-changer.”

The post Work underway to regenerate Queen’s Park Play Area appeared first on Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole Green Party.

Green Councillor for East Cliff & Springbourne, Sara Armstrong, told the Bournemouth Daily Echo: “King’s Park was part of my childhood – a place where I found freedom, friendship and imagination. For many families, especially those living in flats or without gardens, spaces like Kings Park are not luxuries. They are essential for a healthy, happy childhood.”

Happily, BCP Council has a plan for change. Sara has received confirmation from staff of a £200,000 investment to completely redesign and rebuild King’s Park play park. A full Council consultation of the local community is in progress this summer. 

Sara commented: “I’ll keep pushing to make sure the process is inclusive, transparent, and delivers a space our community can be proud of.”

The post King’s Park play equipment will be replaced in £200,000 investment appeared first on Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole Green Party.

She highlighted concerns in East Cliff over:

• disposable BBQs,
• inadequate facilities,
• general neglect of public spaces,
• parking enforcement and management,
• accessible toilets and beachfront access, and
• inaction over restoring the long-disused East Cliff lift.

The post Sara Armstrong presses East Cliff beach concerns with BCP Council bosses 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.

“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.

“Many families in East Cliff & Springbourne do not have access to their own garden. Having a useable outdoor, safe, space at the hub for families is key to improving their mental health and wellbeing, building connections and playing together.

“Due to Covid, a very busy workload of the team at the hub and budget pressures, the garden space had been neglected. Today it was given a good spruce-up by our team of volunteers, as well as becoming a forever home to some legacy plants from the recently closed King’s Park Nursery.

“Thank you to everyone who has supported our endeavours! It’s amazing what can be achieved when we come together as a community.

“The Family Hub garden space will need regular maintenance. If you would like to help in any way, drop me an email and I’ll connect you with the hub team.”

The post Sara Armstrong, her volunteer team, local residents and staff work to restore Boscombe Family Hub’s outdoor space appeared first on Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole Green Party.

The Panel has councillors from both BCP Council and Dorset Council, and holds the directly elected Police & Crime Commissioner to account in meeting policing priorities in the county,

Alasdair Keddie commented: “Lines of enquiry at the Dorset Police & Crime Panel can lead to real change for the whole county. As its Chair I have called for:

• Improved police reporting for our communities.
• A clear roadmap for dealing with the crack, heroin and opiate crisis in BCP.
• A Violence Reduction Unit to tackle knife crime and serious violence.
• Retaining daily visible policing patrols at hotspots in the county –
• including in Charminster and Winton.
• A fairer deal on police funding for Dorset.

“It was good to meet the newly elected panel members from Dorset Council for the first time. We have a lot of work to do.

“My next meeting will be at Dorset Police HQ in Winfrith.”

The post Alasdair Keddie elected Chair of Dorset Police & Crime Panel appeared first on Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole Green Party.

£4.3m has been allocated to protect against further cliff side erosion, and to prepare the cliff side at the site of the East Cliff lift for a future lift to be placed there.

Sara said: “We heard how spend on the maintenance of cliff drainage systems has long been neglected over the years and how officers and councillors are working hard to find solutions. We will need the support of our new MPs to help us get the resources needed.

“Sadly there is insufficient funding at the moment to replace the lift but enabling access to the beach from the East Cliff and creating sustainable amenities for residents and visitors is a key priority.

“Work on stabilising the cliff side area and demolition of the existing buildings is planned for later this year.

“Well done to everyone working hard on such important work – the sustainability and resilience of our coast line and beaches.”

The post Sara Armstrong meets council bosses to discuss progress on coastal programme appeared first on Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole Green Party.

Meanwhile Green Group Leader Councillor Chris Rigby has been re-elected as Chair of the Council’s Environment & Place Overview & Scrutiny Committee.

The post Simon Bull continues as BCP Council Vice-Chair, Chris Rigby as scrutiny chair appeared first on Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole Green Party.