The council is scheduled to meet on 14 October 2025 to discuss a range of issues, including community governance, the expansion of the AFC Bournemouth stadium, and a review of the council's political balance. They will also consider motions on racism and a proposed digital ID scheme.

Community Governance Review

The council will be asked to consider the final recommendations of the Community Governance Review Task and Finish Group. The review, which began in October 2024, examined community governance arrangements across the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole area.

The Task and Finish Group's final recommendations include proposals for:

• Burton and Winkton: It is recommended that the existing parish of Burton and Winkton should not be abolished, and its existing arrangements should remain in place.
• Hurn: It is recommended that the parish of Hurn should not be abolished, but that there should be a minor alteration to the boundary.
• Highcliffe and Walkford: It is recommended that the parish of Highcliffe and Walkford should not be abolished, but that there should be changes to the warding arrangements.
• Christchurch: It is recommended that the parish of Christchurch should not be abolished, and that there should be minor alterations to the boundary.
• Throop and Holdenhurst: It is recommended that a new parish should not be established for Throop and Holdenhurst.
• Broadstone: It is recommended that a new parish of Broadstone should be established.
• Redhill and Northbourne: It is recommended that a new parish should not be established for Redhill and Northbourne.
• Boscombe and Pokesdown: It is recommended that a new parish should not be established for Boscombe and Pokesdown.
• Southbourne: It is recommended that a new parish should not be established for Southbourne.
• Poole: It is recommended that a new parish of Poole should be established.
• Bournemouth: It is recommended that a new parish of Bournemouth should be established.

The report notes that the Task and Finish Group considered a range of factors, including consultation responses, in reaching its recommendations. The report also notes some general misunderstandings that arose during the consultation, including the belief that the review was seeking to reverse local government reorganisation in 2019, and that capping does not apply to the new councils.

If the council approves the recommendations, the Head of Democratic Services will be authorised to make all necessary reorganisation of community governance orders to implement the changes. The Task and Finish Group will continue to consider the transfer of civic and ceremonial assets, statutory services and precept requirements for year 1, for each new parish, on the basis of minimal transfer and precept, and a report will be presented to full Council in due course.

AFC Bournemouth Stadium Expansion

The council will be asked to approve the negotiation and agreement in principle of Heads of Terms for the leasehold disposal of two parcels of land at Kings Park, to AFC Bournemouth. This follows a report from the Cross-Party Asset Disposal Working Group meeting held on 13 July 2025. The report pack states that should the council wish to discuss the detail of the confidential appendix at Appendix A the meeting will be required to move into Confidential (Exempt) Session.

Review of the Political Balance of the Council

Following the by-election in the Talbot and Branksome Woods Ward on 11 September 2025, and other political group changes, the council is asked to consider and approve the review of the political balance of the council, the allocation of seats on committees to each political group, the appointment of councillors on committees and appointments to outside bodies.

Notices of Motions

The council will consider two notices of motions:

Standing United Against Racism and Division

This motion, proposed by Councillor Peter Cooper and seconded by Councillor Patrick Canavan, notes recent far-right marches in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, an increase in racist vandalism and graffiti, and the rising tide of racist activity nationally.

The council is asked to resolve to:

• Publicly denounce far-right marches and racist graffiti in BCP, affirming that hate has no home here.
• Develop and bring forward anti-racist policies, in partnership with schools, community groups, and faith organisations, to promote inclusion and challenge prejudice.
• Strengthen joint working with Dorset Police, community safety teams, and voluntary organisations to tackle racist activity and support victims.
• Recognise and thank the work of anti-racist groups and campaigners who stand against division and for equality.
• Request that the Leader of the Council writes to the Home Secretary and the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, calling for stronger national support and resources to tackle the rise in far-right activity and hate crime.

Opposing Labour's Digital ID Scheme

This motion, proposed by Councillor Millie Earl, Leader of the Council and seconded by Councillor Richard Herrett, notes the recent announcement by Keir Starmer's Labour Government of plans to introduce a mandatory Digital ID scheme for all UK residents.

The council is asked to resolve to:

• Formally oppose the Labour Government's Digital ID plans.
• Request the Leader of the Council writes to the Secretary of State for the Home Department and the Minister for Digital Infrastructure expressing this council's firm opposition to Labour's mandatory Digital ID system and calling for the plans to be scrapped, and to Members of Parliament across Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole asking for their firm commitment to oppose Labour's mandatory Digital ID system and ask them to confirm that they will instead advocate for the estimated £4.6b cost to be rediverted in to settling SEND deficits nationally¹.
• Work with local voluntary, digital inclusion and civil liberties groups to ensure that no resident in Bournemouth, Christchurch or Poole is penalised or excluded as a result of any national identification scheme.

Other Items

The agenda also includes:

• Apologies for absence
• Declarations of interest
• Confirmation of minutes from previous meetings
• Announcements and introductions from the chairman
• Public issues
• Audit and Governance Committee recommendations regarding increased borrowing for the Poole Museum project
• Audit and Governance Committee Annual Report 2024/25
• Licensing Committee recommendations regarding a review of the Statement of Licensing Policy
• Questions from councillors
• Urgent decisions taken by the Chief Executive in accordance with the Constitution