Cllr Janet Walton, Leader of the Council, Borough of Poole: "I am pleased the Secretary of State Sajid Javid has approved the Future Dorset proposal. In doing so, he has opened the door of opportunity for Poole, recognising the major benefits the plans will bring for our residents. We already have ambitious plans for the regeneration of Poole."

Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Sajid Javid: “I have decided .. to replace the existing nine councils across Dorset .. by two new councils .. a single unitary council for the areas of Bournemouth, Poole, and that part of the county of Dorset currently comprising the Borough of Christchurch, and a single unitary council for the rest of the current county area.”

Sir Robert Syms, our MP for Poole, chaired a working lunch with John Glen, MP for Salisbury and Economic Secretary to the Treasury, and local businessmen in Poole last Friday. Penn Hill Councilor Elaine Atkinson OBE and leaders from over thirty local businesses discussed a wide range of topics, and the event was judged to be a great success.

Sajid Javid, the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, has awarded Poole £6 million from the national Housing Infrastructure Fund to support phase 2 of the Poole town centre regeneration project. Cllr Ian Potter: "To secure this funding demonstrates confidence in Poole’s ability to make this project a reality.”

The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Sajid Javid, has recommended approval of the merger of Poole, Bournemouth and Christchurch. The Poole Conservative group welcomes the announcement.

Sir Robert Syms, our MP for Poole, together with a band of willing volunteers held a promotional event in Falkland Square in the heart of Poole last Saturday. The event highlighted the work of your local councillors, who are finding innovative ways to continue making Poole a great place to live, work and play.

Sir Robert has asked South Western Railway to reconsider its plan to reduce services to Hamworthy, Parkstone and Branksome. After talking with Poole Councillors including Elaine Atkinson (pictured with Sir Robert at Parkstone), Sir Robert took up the matter with Andy Mellor, the managing director of SW Railway.

Last week Robert Syms, our Member of Parliament for Poole, was awarded a Knighthood. Sir Robert has earned this high honour for many years of sterling work in Parliament and on behalf of his constituents in Poole. Congratulations, Sir Robert!

Our Member of Parliament for Poole, Robert Syms, visited Yellow Buses and heard about the company’s plans for a new out-station in Poole and expansion into Hamworthy and Upton.

Over 185,000 visitors flocked to Poole Museum in 2016, making it the most popular free attraction in Dorset. Councillor Mohan Iyengar: “I hope people will agree that we’ve had some terrific exhibits in the museum – especially over the past couple of years. The number of visitors bears that out and my thanks go to our schools and associations and the residents of Poole for engaging with us so well.”