The meeting took place on Thursday, October 2 at Health Sciences University in Boscombe.
Councillors Patrick Canavan, George Farquhar and Eleanor Connolly attended the meeting, alongside residents who raised questions about housing, infrastructure and the condition of local parks.
Chair of Boscombe and Pokesdown Forum, Harry Seccombe opened proceedings by welcoming councillors and residents.
The meeting started by updating residents about towns fund
Christine Hobday, from BCP council said work was moving into Phase 11, with ongoing efforts to improve the high street through “urban greening” and shopfront restorations.
Six shopfronts have been completed so far, with a target of 10.
The discussion later turned to the ongoing community governance review, which could see the creation of a new Bournemouth town Council, with Boscombe placed within it.
Harry argued for local choice and transparency resisting the imposition of Bournemouth town council that residents overwhelmingly rejected and highlighting the risk of Boscombe and Pokesdown voices being lost in a larger structured.
Addressing audience, Harry said: “The consultations results were clear, 80 per cent of Bournemouth respondents rejected parish/town councils, and rejection was equally strong in Boscombe and Pokesdown.
“Despite this, the council has continued to progress plans for Bournemouth town council, potentially one of the largest in the country, covering the whole of Bournemouth with just 21 councillors.
He added: “Many feel this risks subsuming our area into a larger structure that residents did not ask for.”
The proposals are due to be endorsed by BCP Council’s cabinet before going to full council later in October.
Cllr Canavan, Boscombe West, criticised the consultation process, suggesting that residents’ views had been side-lined.
He said: “It was less than two thousand people. They were always going to ignore what consultation says.”
Cllr Eleanor, Boscombe East and Pokesdown added: “The responses couldn’t have been clearer.
“We were so surprised they went ahead anyway.
“It’s going to affect trust, what’s the point of doing consultation if you don’t want to follow it?”
BCP council appointed a task and finish group, a politically balanced, cross-party group of 10 councillors was appointed who published their recommendations following a community governance review and consultation that took place earlier in the year.
The group have recommended the establishment of three new bodies; Broadstone Town Council, Bournemouth Town Council and Poole Town Council.
These authorities would replace the existing Charter Trustees as a separate tier under BCP Council and have responsibility for their own budgets.
Councillor Millie Earl, Leader of BCP Council, said: “Council made a commitment to look at ways in which we could give our communities more say over the decisions that affect their local area and this review reflects that.
“I would like to thank the task and finish group who were commissioned by Council to oversee the review and make draft and final recommendations.
“A wide variety of views have been expressed through the consultation, and I would like to thank all of those who took the time to take part and provide us with vital information that have helped shape and inform the group’s recommendations.
“I now look forward to the recommendations going through the normal democratic scrutiny process which will provide all councillors with an opportunity for healthy and meaningful debate on this important matter.”