“Last winter BCP Council took about 40 tonnes of mud and silt out, with the idea that with a wet winter, it would have filled the pond and increased its resilience. However, we’ve actually had such an aggressive dry spell that the loss of water has got much worse.

“All wildlife is migrating. It’s a really sad, sorry state of affairs.

“I have been working with the BCP Council Ecology Team, as well as reaching out to the water companies, the Parks Foundation and others, to see what can be done.

“Regarding the wildlife pond, a lot of effort has been going on behind the scenes to get this resolved. I have had regular meetings with the management at Queen’s Park Golf Course, and we have been following every possible option to address this.

“We have been in contact with:

• Southwest Water
• Wessex Water
• Bournemouth Water
• The Environment Agency
• The Parks Foundation
• The Greenspace Team
• The Senior BCP Ecology Officer
  and a host of other professionals and organisations.

“I will try to give my impression from speaking to a range of experts on this:

“The consensus is that the water loss is consistent with evaporation of 2-3cm of water per week. Given the surface area of the pond being ~2,500 square metres, that’s between 50,000L and 75,000L a week being lost.

No breach of the pond’s clay lining, say experts

“I have asked the question that has been raised by local residents about a potential breach of the clay lining, and this has been ruled out for a few reasons:

• Firstly, the rate of water loss from a breach would be much faster, especially in combination with the weather conditions.
• Secondly, the only areas of the pond that are actually retaining water are those that were dredged, which increased the holding capacity. If that work hadn’t been carried out, there would be no water left at all.
• Thirdly, the senior ecologist is adamant that the rate of water loss is consistent with evaporation from a long, dry, sunny spell. We have had the sunniest spring since records began which has followed a winter of lower than average rainfall, which in turn followed a summer where water levels were critically low in August.

What can be done about the water loss in the short term?

What can be done about this in the short term?

“Well, we can’t use mains water as it has background levels of chlorine present that would kill off the invertebrate and micro fauna at the base of the food chain. The senior ecologist has advised that raw reservoir water or dechlorinated water would work at a push. We are also looking at tens if not hundreds of thousands of litres being required, which simply can’t be supplied from a metered mains supply.

“I managed to get through to the operations team at one of the water companies, who said it might be feasible to get a 14,000L tanker of dechlorinated water to the site. However since then, the water companies have declared drought conditions nationally and that has changed the game. I followed up with them again this afternoon and they have promised that someone will come back to me on Monday. I haven’t received a flat out ‘No’ so far, so I will keep pushing them until I run out of options.

“There is more, but I think this covers the broad strokes.

“The wildlife pond means a great deal to me and my family. My daughters are distressed by this, as I’m sure many park users and residents are also. I can assure you that everything possible is being done to sort this out, but we are ultimately dealing with forces of nature here.

“What we need above all is rain, and lots of it.

A full solution on the way this winter

“Nonetheless, a programme of winter works has now been designed to improve the pond’s resilience to future warm spells.

“Unfortunately, this does mean the distressing current appearance of the pond won’t be resolved for at least another 2-3 months.”

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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.

For Councillor Sara Armstrong, Green ward councillor for East Cliff & Springbourne, this was an election pledge. She welcomed the decision and paid tribute to the many residents, officers and colleagues who contributed to this achievement.

Sara said: “This is a defining moment for East Cliff and Springbourne. It’s the result of tireless work by local people who care deeply about where they live – people who believe in a better future and want to shape it together.

“To everyone who took part: thank you for your time, your energy, and your belief in this process.”

Neighbourhood Planning empowers communities to influence land use, design and development in their area. It creates a structured, legally recognised platform to bring residents, businesses and organisations together around shared goals.

“This proposal isn’t about drawing lines, it’s about bringing people together,” Cllr Armstrong continued. “We are one community, facing shared challenges and holding shared hopes. This will give us the opportunity to respond collectively to the issues we face – from derelict buildings and anti-social behaviour, to the impact of unregulated Houses in Multiple Occupation and the need for safer, more inclusive neighbourhoods.”

The East Cliff & Springbourne Neighbourhood Forum builds on strong grassroots momentum, and means that a united, forward-looking vision for the area can now be created.

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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.

Chris Rigby said: “BCP Council is developing an Urban Forest Strategy to link urban green spaces. We’ve made sure Winton will be the first area to benefit from this, by securing funding.”

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They were supported in this by Winton East 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.

The post St Alban’s Church community room to be redecorated appeared first on Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole Green Party.

Meanwhile, a new community information board is on the way to Fampoux Gardens between Green Road and Firbank Road.

Photo: This damaged old infoboard at Fampoux Gardens will soon be replaced

These improvements are being funded from money allocated to Winton East by BCP Council’s Ward Improvement Fund.

Simon Bull commented: “Green spaces are so important for mental health, for play, for relaxation. Residents tell me how much they value the Rec, the Park (Pine Road), and the gardens (Library and Fampoux). It’s our duty as councillors to continue to make sure the Council looks after them.”

The post More improvements secured for two Winton parks appeared first on Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole Green Party.

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.

The post Winton East councillors working with new neighbourhood police Inspector appeared first on Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole Green Party.

Green Party councillors have previously engaged with members of the motorists’ group and recognise the concerns behind the petition. We are determined to ensure these voices are properly considered in future policy decisions.

Cllr Kate Salmon stated “The council needs to listen to everyone, as the people who signed this petition are clearly voicing their frustration.”

Kate proposed a motion to refer the petition to the working group developing the Local Transport Plan. This ensures that the concerns will be incorporated into the consultation and engagement process as a valuable piece of evidence.

Recognising the potential for lengthy debate on a topic that is often unnecessarily divisive, Cllr Joe Salmon proposed a procedural motion to move directly to a vote. While this did not pass, our main motion succeeded with 51 votes for and 14 against.

We are pleased with this outcome, as it guarantees that residents’ views will contribute to shaping the next Local Transport Plan.

The post Travel Petition Response appeared first on Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole Green Party.

Following discussions with residents and a recent litter pick, Sara has written to council leaders highlighting her concerns about disposable BBQs, inadequate facilities, and general neglect of public spaces.

“During the litter pick we found discarded BBQs with embers still glowing – this is a serious fire hazard, and action is needed,” she stated.

Accessibility remains a major issue, with East Cliff lacking suitable toilet facilities and proper beach access for disabled visitors. “I’ve been lobbying for a Changing Places toilet for 18 months – adequate facilities are essential as summer events ramp up, but we’ve not seen any progression which is getting frustrating.”

The long-disused East Cliff lift also remains in limbo, alongside deteriorating pathways, inadequate lighting, abscence of signage, lack of bins, poor condition of shelters, overgrown hedges, and parking concerns.

With a surge of tourists expected, Councillor Armstrong is urging swift action to manage litter, prevent anti-social behavior, and ensure public spaces are safe.

“Residents deserve to enjoy their coastline without unnecessary risks” she affirmed, calling for an urgent meeting with local officers to finalise a plan for maintaining a clean, accessible, and safe seafront.

The post Demanding a safer beach appeared first on Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole Green Party.

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.

Simon said: “Cllr Rigby and I continue to monitor the adequacy of local residents’ access to nearby GP services. We would welcome contact from residents.”

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Green Councillor Simon Bull spoke: “Imagine a world without victory in Europe – a world where tyranny triumphed, where darkness endured. That world could have been ours – if not for the courage, the sacrifice, unbreakable resolve of those who stood against it. We remember them: those who fought, those who fell. Those who carried unbearable loss… They paid the price of our freedom.

“They came from every corner of the world, from every walk of life. From every faith, and none. Their strength was not in their sameness, it was in their unity across difference. That unity won the war.

“That unity must guide us still… We owe them more than remembrance. We owe them vigilance. We must stand against those who seek to divide, deceive and dominate. Their tools may be different today, but their aims are not. In honour of the fallen, and in defence of the future, we must say clearly: never again.”

The post “Never again,” says Simon Bull at 80th anniversary VE Day ceremony appeared first on Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole Green Party.