RESIDENTS of Poole may be excused for wondering exactly which how much of their local services will be left at the end of this Tory-dominated four-year council term.

In less than under three months in majority control, we have already seen the end of the mobile library, the Cabinet has smiled on massively increased green bin charges, the peak season for beach car parking has been widened to now includes March and October – to the specific detriment of local residents as there are not many tourists in these months – and plans are afoot to cut the opening hours at the Borough’s recycling centre.

Tuesday night’s Cabinet meeting unanimously approved a report that also referred to progressing “any other” service cuts and price rises council officers can think of.

Most shockingly of all, and deeply ironic in a week when the Borough is celebrating the maintenance of three Green Flags and the 125th birthday of Poole Park, is the plan to introduce car parking charges for the first time ever at Poole Park, Hamworthy Park, Baiter Cycle Speedway, Whitecliff and Upton Country Park.

I have previously opposed and defeated this measure three times in my 12-year council career. It cannot be right, when improving health of our residents is so far up the list of council priorities and the use of parks has been proven to aid well-being, to bring in a measure designed to penalise people accessing Poole’s beautiful, green public open spaces.

There is no doubt in my mind that residents of Poole are vehemently opposed to these charges and must now make their voices heard if the Tories are to have their minds changed.

I would urge any affected residents of Poole to contact their local councillors and/or the Leader Cllr Walton to express their opposition as a matter of urgency.

CLLR PHILIP EADES

Borough of Poole