New documents show BCP Council sent at least 18 letters and emails to MPs, ministers and departments about financial pressures affecting Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole. Newly released letters show BCP Council contacted Government repeatedly over local funding pressures. The council says at least 18 letters and emails have been sent since July 2024 to MPs, ministers and government departments about financial challenges affecting Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, with five formally asking for a government meeting. Deputy leader and finance cabinet member Councillor Mike Cox CBE said r
Newly released letters show BCP Council contacted Government repeatedly over local funding pressures.
The council says at least 18 letters and emails have been sent since July 2024 to MPs, ministers and government departments about financial challenges affecting Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, with five formally asking for a government meeting.
Deputy leader and finance cabinet member Councillor Mike Cox CBE said residents should be able to “see the facts for themselves”, and said the documents showed a sustained effort to raise concerns with both Conservative and Labour ministers.
The council says the contact covered SEND funding, the Dedicated Schools Grant deficit, adult and children’s care, school crossing patrols, devolution and local government finance, and that local MPs were also asked to help arrange ministerial discussions.
It also says council leader Councillor Millie Earl held two ministerial meetings in July, including one with Steve Reed MP, where she raised the effect of local government finance on residents in the BCP area.
Councillor Cox said “an FOI response does not always tell the whole story”, and added that ministers had not met the council as often as residents should expect from central Government.
