Since the 2015 election, our challenges have been significant, however we have achieved much. When I look at what we have achieved during this period, we have balanced our budget, we are confident we can do so this year too, and we have minimised the cuts to our front line services.

Ofsted South West regional director Bradley Simmons has written to the Leader of Poole Council, Cllr Janet Walton, to commend her on the progress achieved in the performance of Poole schools. Our Member of Parliament for Poole, Robert Syms MP, paid a visit to Carter Community School in Hamworthy to congratulate Principal Sam Davidson and her team on this year's results.

HM Government plans to reduce the number of MPs in the UK from 650 to 600. This will involve big changes to parliamentary constituencies. The Boundary Commission for England (BCE) proposes a list of changes to the boundaries of Poole, which are now open for public consultation. All Dorset MPs and Conservative Associations object to the proposed changes. It is important that all of us in Dorset let the BCE know our concerns. We urge you to ...

Statistics show that we citizens of Poole are working well. Thanks not only to our own energy and talents but also to the enlightened policies of our Conservative Government, we can look forward to a better and brighter future. Our hard work is bearing fruit. Latest figures from the Office for National Statistics show that we are delivering on our promise to help people get on in life, by building a Britain that works for everyone, not just the privileged few. And Poole is working even better than the national average.

On behalf of Poole Borough Council, Cllr Mohan Iyengar accepted two awards from the Federation of Small Business in a Wessex Region ceremony on Friday, 16 September. Against all other councils in Dorset, Poole Council and its Economic Development Team won the 2016 award for ”Most Innovative Small Business Friendly Programme” and was highly commended for this year’s “Best All-Round Small Business Friendliness” award.

Poole Council in collaboration with all other Councils in Dorset are considering restructuring. This could result in fewer larger Councils. A vital part of this plan is a consultation starting on 30th August 2016 where all residents are asked to comment on the options. This could affect you.

Our Member of Parliament for Poole, Robert Syms, has an additional job: he is now Lord Commissioner (HM Treasury). As a token of his holding this office, Robert received a sealed certificate from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. In this new job he serves as a Government whip. We wish him all the best in the role, and remind him that we still value his local work greatly and look forward to seeing him among us in Poole just as often as possible.

The Mayor of Poole’s Pirate Boat Trip is scheduled for Thursday 11th August, 7.15 - 10.30 pm. We will start from Greenslades Boats on Poole Quay and tickets are £22 per person, which includes a fish and chip supper on board.

I am honoured and humbled to have been chosen by the Conservative Party to become its leader.  

The busy stretch of Haven Road in Canford Cliffs Village has just had a new crossing installed at the request of local residents. Conservative Canford Cliffs ward Councillor May Haines says residents are really pleased with it: "The people I have spoken to have said they feel much safer crossing the road, especially those older residents who are a little slower."