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.

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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.”

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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.”

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“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.”

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£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.”

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“Residents at Vale Road complex and Marchwood on Manor Road were only too pleased to plant these hardy perennials in their community gardens.

“Since the closure of Kings Park Nursery, I’ve also found new homes for plants at Knyveton Gardens Park and East Howe Youth Centre.”

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Hard-working Green councillor for Queen’s Park & Charminster Alasdair Keddie has frequently liaised with the BCP Cleansing Team, working to fix these issues, and graffiti, across the Wessex Way area. He also picks litter himself daily after his school run – totalling at least 50 bags in the past year.

Alasdair commented: “This is the baseline that we can achieve as a community – if we keep reporting and do what we can in our small areas.”

Report forms:
tiny.cc/bcpflytipping
tiny.cc/bcpgraffiti

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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.

The post Joe and Kate Salmon sort new play equipment for Moordown Rec appeared first on Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole Green Party.

Sara said: “This is brilliant news for Knyveton Gardens and the communities who use it. The enhancements that this funding will be used for include play equipment for younger ages, accessibility improvements, vegetation management, a water fountain, better signage including a noticeboard and toilet provision.”

Residents have raised concerns about anti-social behaviour in the park. There are opportunities for local community members to come together to maintain the changes and improvements.

Please get in touch with Sara if you would like to find out more about becoming a Friend of Knyveton Gardens.

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There were over 400,000 raw sewage discharges into UK waterways in 2020. A report last year shows that the Wessex Water area now has the third-worst record in England. [View interactive map of local discharge sites…] Storm overflows are supposed to be used only during extreme weather, to relieve pressure on the sewer system.

Campaign group Surfers Against Sewage issued a widespread “do not swim” alert for Dorset last autumn based on Environment Agency data. BBC Dorset have recently reported on open-water swimmers’ complaints that the repeated discharges are making them ill. Last November Dorset Oysters had to recall its produce over norovirus concerns, calling it a “direct consequence” of local sewage discharges into the sea.

Chris Rigby: This is becoming more reported “because it’s important”

Chris Rigby led the councillor response of united concern to the Town Hall presentations from Wessex Water. He criticised their claims that media coverage of the issue has been “sensationalised”. Chris said to them: “I don’t think that’s correct at all. These are becoming more and more reported stories, yes, and that’s because it’s important.” He highlighted that Christchurch Avon Beach is ranked the 17th worst site in the country in campaigners’ monitoring of people becoming ill after entering the water. 

Councillor Rigby also told Wessex Water he was concerned that water quality is only being routinely tested during the summer season – when there are all-year-round users of the local sea including cold-water swimmers and surfers. 

Swim with your mouths shut, say Wessex Water

There was widespread disbelief from councillors and media at the Wessex Water reps suggesting that swimming in the local sea is okay if you don’t open your mouth, and that there are always bacteria in the sea anyway. They also cited that sewage overflow up to 10 times per year on average is not illegal, implying it is not a priority for them to reduce occurrences below this legal tolerance level unless and until the law is tightened.

Water, a natural monopoly industry, was the most controversial of Margaret Thatcher’s privatisations in 1989. Since then Wessex Water have assuredly prioritised dividend payments to shareholders, which have totalled some £1.1 billion.

Recommendation agreed to lobby decision-makers

All but one councillor present at the cross-party meeting agreed to recommend that BCP Council’s environment chief should lobby local MPs and the regulator Ofwat, expressing concern at the frequent use of sewage overflow discharges and calling for Government action to improve water quality. 

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