A CIVIC leader has called for heads to roll over the spiralling costs of the surf reef and Boscombe seafront development.

Cllr Anne Rey blasted the £40,000 spent on rented accommodation for reef workers from New Zealand, even though they are not currently in the country.

In an angry outburst at a Children and Families Services scrutiny panel meeting at the Town Hall, she said: “We are in a recession and struggling with children’s services and social services budgets.

“When they read the Daily Echo people must be thinking what the hell is going on in this town.

“We only get to know things like this when we read the Echo. We are supposed to make the policy; we should have all the information.”


Read the report being discussed at tonight's cabinet meeting here


There were heated exchanges when the cabinet member responsible for the economy and tourism, Cllr Beverley Dunlop, said she could not answer questions on the rented homes for absent reef workers.

She added: “There is a saying that you don’t know what you don’t know. This has come as a bit of a broadside; I’ll be on the phone first thing in the morning.”

Cllr Rey retorted: “As portfolio holder you should have been told about this. What is going on?

“I think you should reconsider your position as a cabinet member. We can’t get this information so heaven help the public. Heads have got to roll here. I’m furious.”

Chairman Cllr Claire Smith said: “Surely if you saw the headlines you would ask? We are not going to be fobbed off; you must know why this situation has arisen.”

Cllr Dunlop replied: “I have made a request to find out. I’ve spent a lot of time with officers going through this project in detail.

“In the scheme of things there are much larger figures on the table.”

Cllr Smith said: “I don’t think any of us have the right to say £40,000 is of no consequence. It is public money; this is a very serious issue. Our reputations are on the line.”

It was decided that the Boscombe Spa Village project will be discussed in more detail at a meeting of the Children and Families Services scrutiny panel in February.

Why is the surf reef being discussed by the Children and Families Services?

A council spokesperson explained that Cllr Beverley Dunlop was the relevant portfolio holder for the surf reef and her remit of leisure and tourism came under children and families.

But Cllr Basil Ratcliffe said: “It’s almost unbelievable. Their job is to look after education and social services. The people that know a bit more about it on environment and economy don’t get any say in it.

“I have written to council leader Cllr Stephen MacLoughlin asking for the whole system to be revised, with simple, easily-defined areas of responsibility.”