RESIDENTS of Poole can be forgiven for being very concerned by the fact that the Civic Centre itself has been suggested as a future housing location in Poole’s review of the current Local Plan, being described in the document as “unfit for purpose”.

It would seem that the current behind closed doors merger discussions by Tory leaders Cllr Walton (Poole) and Cllr Beesley (Bournemouth) have decided that it is a done deal and that clearly the new super-council will not be run from Poole.

This is of course just the start of Poole getting the rough end of the local stick – the prime services (council offices, A&E, maternity) are already being scheduled to be based in Bournemouth whilst those that cause more public concern (for example Bournemouth Magistrates’ Court with all its attendant anti-social behaviour) being relocated to Poole.

The Poole Tory leadership, far from raising concern over this move and the effect upon local residents and businesses, actively welcomed the magistrates’ court moving to the Civic Centre roundabout.

Poole is sleepwalking into becoming nothing more than a suburb of Bournemouth with every day that passes, whilst even those Poole Tories who disagree with a merger are unwilling to upset their leader rather than do what is in the best interest of the 1,000-year-old historic Borough of Poole and its 150,000 residents.

CLLR PHILIP EADES

Branksome West Ward, Borough of Poole

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