NEWS: Will new Town Councils in BCP mean higher Council Tax Bills?

Have your say by this Sunday. There’s only a short time left for residents to give their views on the proposed changes to local town and parish councils.

BCP residents have until Sunday 22nd June to have their say on the future of local democracy across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, before an important ‘Community Governance Review’ consultation ends.

The review, organised by BCP Council, is looking to finalise proposals to set up new Town and Parish Councils in areas currently without them – Broadstone, Redhill and Northbourne, Boscombe and Pokesdown, and Southbourne, with the remainder of the former Poole Council area having a new town council, and the remainder of the former Bournemouth Council area also having a new town council.

BCP invited proposals in October 2024 from the local community, in line with government recommendations to form a review every 10-15 years on Parish, Town and Community Councils. These proposals were reviewed in March, and draft recommendations were published for further consultation.

Stage 3 closes on the 22nd June, and so the Council is urging residents to share their thoughts before the deadline, so they can be considered in the final report for a council meeting on the 14th October 2025.

BCP Council Leader, Cllr Millie Earl, said: “We’re committed to giving local communities more say over decisions which affect their local area. The introduction of town and parish councils offers neighbourhoods the opportunity to take more control over what matters most to them which is why it is important that we hear from as many people as possible.

“If established, new town and parish councils can deliver local services, support community projects, and provide a platform for residents’ voices to be heard. The people of BCP know their area best – their local knowledge and experience are vital to shaping future governance and generations to come.”

The proposals have also met with local opposition however. Opponents argue it would create another layer of bureaucracy, which could result in slower decision making. The plans will create extra layers of Local Government, with dozens more councillors; this could make it harder for residents to understand who is in charge of what job and also mean decisions will have to go through more people before being rubber-stamped.

Councillor Philip Broadhead, Leader of BCP Conservatives said “Town and Parish councils were designed for large rural areas, not urban areas like BCP. These new huge town councils proposed for Poole and Bournemouth will be two of the largest in the country. The plans call for an extra 110 councillors across BCP, when there are already 76. And a new added council tax precept, payable by everyone, to pay for them”.

Broadhead continues: “And how much will this cost be? Some of our closest examples give a hint: Weymouth Town Council costs an extra £200 per year, per household. Blandford pay an extra £259 per year. And [these new councils]are unlikely to provide any new services, just services that BCP Council doesn’t want to pay for”.

Another Christchurch resident commented: “We’re already paying more for an unwanted extra council in Christchurch. They’re taking my hard-earned money and using it to run events I’m not particularly bothered about and put up Christmas decorations which should be the job of BCP Council – what exactly am I paying the extra for?”

The formation of BCP Council in April 2019 was done so amid promises of streamlining services, cutting bureaucracy and cutting costs. Opponents now argue that all the previous savings from combining the three previous Borough Councils, delivering better value to local residents could now be lost.

The plan could potentially increase the amount of council tax residents pay, at a time when many local residents personal finances are under strain with the ongoing cost-of-living squeeze.

Parish and Town Councils are funded through an additional tax levy. It’s usually called a ‘precept’ and the extra amount residents have to pay is decided by elected councillors. The average annual cost for this, for a band D property, is £42.96, however it can be as low as zero. This is charged as an ‘extra’ on Council Tax bills, which the majority of BCP residents don’t currently pay.

However, BCP has said that “the level of council tax is not a determining factor in the Review”  which means that the extra amount residents will have to pay to fund the new councils is not the main consideration for the council.

BCP council have stated in the ‘Have your say’ document that responses from residents and businesses that argue against the changes on financial grounds will not be considered. The priority in deciding whether it is a good thing or a bad thing will not be based on the costs of implementation or the extra tax local taxpayers will have to pay, but rather on whether the actual concept is a good thing or not, and whether it will benefit local residents of BCP.

You can find out more information about how the already established parish and town councils operate on BCP’s consultation website, alongside helpful FAQs, resources, and CGR video series by Councillor Andy Martin.

Residents can have their say by completing the online survey at www.haveyoursay.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/cgr-consultation, or by picking up a paper copy of the consultation at any BCP Council Library. Residents are encouraged to speak to their local ward councillors to understand what the proposals could mean for their area.

“I welcome this chance to encourage residents to take part in the consultation before it closes,” added Councillor Millie Earl. “This is your community, and your voice really matters.”

All responses will be carefully considered with final recommendations to be drawn up and presented to the Full Council meeting on the 14th October 2025.