Bournemouth Town Centre Citizens’ Panel has launched its first session, bringing people together from across the area to help shape the future of the town.
The panel is a collaboration between Bournemouth West MP Jessica Toale and BCP Council Leader Millie Earl and launched in Patch, on the first floor of Bobby’s in the centre of the town, on Saturday 21 June.
Almost 250 applicants applied to take part in the discussion, and 50 were chosen to attend at random. Those who attended were of all ages and backgrounds, and cross referenced with other data such as sex, ethnicity, sexuality, disability and religion to ensure a good mix of backgrounds and experiences to reflect the local population.
Jessica said: “The state of Bournemouth town centre is the number one issue residents raise with me. Too many feel like their ideas, concerns and hopes aren’t heard. They want to be a part of shaping Bournemouth’s future. I first spoke to Millie and BCP Council about setting up a citizens’ panel for the Town Centre back in March to address this issue.
“Just three months later, and here we are in the heart of the town with an incredible group of people stepping forward to be the change. The energy and shared desire to improve things, not just complain, is truly impressive. My mission is to build a better Bournemouth town centre with them for the whole community.
Jessica Toale at the Citizens Panel
Led by Richard Eastham from Feria Urbanism, the first structured session focused on understanding the town centre as it is – its strengths, weaknesses and opportunities. The panellists worked together looking at maps of the town to pinpoint areas with challenges and opportunities and share ideas. They considered both quick wins and longer term projects and issues around the town’s lack of identity and what might be done to address this.
Richard, who has run similar projects in Totton, Spelthorne and Waterlooville, said: “Town centres are changing fast – bringing both challenges but also opportunities. It’s so important that residents’ voices are at the heart of local plans and this panel offers us a real meaningful way of achieving that.”
Millie added: “There’s been some really energetic discussion and it’s great to hear people feeling like they want to make a difference for the town centre.”
Jessica, who next week celebrates her first year as MP for Bournemouth West, added: “I want to thank everyone involved – the ambition and shared sense of purpose in the room was fantastic.”