Last year, BCP Council voted to establish three new town councils in Bournemouth, Broadstone and Poole as part of a new lower tier of local government. In total, 27 new parish wards were created. Poole People is standing candidates in six of the 15 wards in Poole.
The group has set out nine priorities as part of its election campaign.
Its first priority is to protect Poole’s identity and heritage.
Poole People said: “We believe Poole’s identity should be strengthened, not diluted. We support development that respects heritage and helps the town grow in a way that feels right for the people who live here.”
Supporting events and festivals is also a priority, the group said: “We want to support events and festivals that benefit residents and visitors, create a stronger sense of local pride, and make the most of Poole’s public spaces, town centre and waterfront.”
Another focus is supporting communities, the party said it wants to “back community initiatives, help local organisations thrive, and encourage activities that bring residents together,” adding that “Local government should work with communities, not at a distance from them.”
Poole People has said it will prioritise improving local amenities “such as youth and community centres and make sure local services continue to serve the people who rely on them”.
The group also said it “wants practical investment in public spaces,” adding: “cleaner streets, better-maintained shared areas and more attractive surroundings all make a difference to local pride and quality of life.”
Another priority for the party is to strengthen the local economy by “improving how the town is marketed, encouraging footfall, and helping Poole become an even better place to live, visit, and do business. A cleaner, better promoted town benefits everyone”.
Poole People has also said: “We want to protect heritage buildings at risk and support a planning approach that respects the existing character of the town,” as well as making the most of Poole’s natural assets so they are “protected, maintained and used well for the whole community”.
The final priority is listening to residents, with the group saying it believes “people should be given a stronger voice in the future of their town”.