POTENTIAL devolution agreements for Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole could bring more affordable housing, better transport links and care services.

Tom Hayes, MP for Bournemouth East, said Labour’s devolution offer could bring more powers and funding to the area.

Mr Hayes recently met with new BCP Council leader, Cllr Millie Earl, to discuss how the government’s planning and devolution reforms could help the area.

The council is currently in informal discussions with other authorities in the region and is working proactively to explore its options.

He has also met with Jim McMahon MP, the minister of state for the department of housing, communities and local government last week, the MP who is leading devolution discussions.

The MP said he wants to enable local councils to run more services and do a better job for people, having served as a councillor and deputy leader.

(Picture: Richard Crease)

“Labour’s devolution offer opens the door to more powers and funding to communities, and I have been talking with BCP Council about how we bring more powers and public money to our area,” he said.

“BCP Council hasn’t achieved what it set out to do — it hasn’t kept to the vision of three towns, working together for the greater good, whether that’s bringing more financial investments, economic growth and jobs, local renewable energy, or affordable housing.

“I think we should get back to that vision, ensuring each town benefits rather than one feeling neglected at the expense of another.

“With a lack of money, a pandemic, and tough political times, I appreciate why keeping to this vision has been hard.

“We need to recognise that a lot of people in Bournemouth do feel left behind by the merger, though, and that needs to be fixed.”

The MP said the conurbation is being held back, adding: “With the money and powers that come from devolution, as well as the wider changes of this government, we could finally have more affordable housing, better transportation links, social care and SEND services that truly work, more local renewable energy that lowers people’s bills.

“That’s what I’ll be fighting for.

“We need to focus on what people need, not yet more devolution discussions that obsess about whether we have a mayor or not.

“I would not support a mayoral model.”

(Image: Richard Crease)

Graham Farrant, chief executive of BCP Council said: “We continue to work proactively to explore options around a possible devolution deal.

“We have reported to our cabinet previously on the best route for Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council to potentially take and are having informal discussions with partners in the region.

“We would take a further options paper to members before making any sort of commitment but are also paying attention to the national appetite for devolution.”