Bournemouth and Poole residents face hefty bill for new councils
People in Bournemouth, Poole and Broadstone are set to pay more than £4 million in precepts next year after BCP Council approved the creation of three new town councils
Residents across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole will pay more than £4 million to fund three new town councils next year
The new authorities, covering Bournemouth, Poole and Broadstone, were approved in October despite the majority of residents opposing their creation during public consultations.
A cross-party task group has now published the first proposed budgets and precept costs, ahead of scrutiny and full council meetings on December the 8th and 9th.
Collectively, the town councils are expected to raise £4.17m through council tax precepts. Poole Town Council, which is the largest of the three, will account for almost £1.9m, Bournemouth will generate £1.98m, while Broadstone’s smaller population means it will raise £296,560.
For Band D households, the annual charge is forecast at £32.59 in Poole, £29.51 in Bournemouth, and a much steeper £60.41 in Broadstone.
The proposals confirm that while residents will start paying the precept from April 2026, the new councils will not take over local services until April 2027.
The delay is reportedly due to a lack of time to properly assess staffing and equipment needs, with officers warning it would be “high risk and unsuitable” to transfer operations any earlier.
Instead, each town council will operate in a "shadow" capacity from January 2026, appointing clerks and officers and beginning the process of setting up new administrative systems.
BCP Council leader Millie Earl defended the move, describing the cost to residents as “modest” and arguing the councils will help restore a sense of identity and improve neighbourhood services after years of cuts.
She pointed to Christchurch’s parish council as an example of what could be achieved, praising their Christmas decorations for bringing “the high streets to life”.
But the decision has deepened political tensions locally, with opposition councillors accusing the administration of ignoring public opinion and burdening residents with further costs.
Cllr Earl dismissed such criticism as “scaremongering”, saying the new councils will give communities “a strong voice” and play a key role in revitalising local areas.