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."

The Mayor of Poole, Conservative Councillor for Penn Hill ward Mrs Xena Dion, has officially unveiled the Poole Park Photo Mosaic to commemorate the 125th aniversary of the park. Xena: “It is a fantastic project and a celebration of our heritage. Each photo captures a precious moment in time, and it has been transformed into an artwork. People have been absolutely fascinated by it. Each time you look at it you notice something different.”

Poole has become the first town in Britain to approve a starter home development under new government policy allowing 20 per cent discounts for first-time buyers. Conservative Cllr Peter Pawlowski, chairman of the Borough of Poole planning board, which has just granted permission for the development, said: “This starter home initiative is a first not only for Poole, but for the country as a whole. More importantly, by tapping into this scheme, starter homes at a discount to market price will be provided to help first time buyers in Poole get on the housing ladder.”

Health chiefs have approved a proposal that Royal Bournemouth Hospital should be the main Accident and Emergency centre for Dorset and that Poole Hospital should be classified as an Urgent Care centre. Robert Syms, MP for Poole, has made a statement on the proposed changes.

A big thank-you is due to all our friends and volunteers for their great effort in the PPC election last week. We managed to accumulate 44,568 votes for our candidate Andrew Graham. This compares with the 31,165 votes cast for our PCC candidate Nick King in the 2012 election. We are making progress and can hope to win next time, in 2020!

Poole Conservatives wish HRH Queen Elizabeth II a very happy 90th birthday.

If you live locally, we invite your views on the Poole Quays Forum Neighbourhood Plan. The plan will guide the future development, regeneration and conservation of parts of Poole Town and Lower Hamworthy. Poole Cabinet member for planning and regeneration Cllr Ian Potter: “The neighbourhood plan area will see a lot of change over the coming years including new residential and commercial development. We welcome everyone’s views on the plan. It is particularly important that local people who live, work and carry out business within the plan area, and those who may be affected by development in this area, comment on the policies being proposed by the Neighbourhood Forum. I would urge people to actively engage in the consultation so that the inevitable growth that takes place in this central area of Poole, will be sustainable for generations to come.”  

59% of residents are satisfied with local highway and transport services in Poole, according to a National Highways and Transport Public Satisfaction survey. Poole was ranked #1 for best performing authority overall in South West England. Bournemouth was #2. Overall, Borough of Poole came in at #5 overall and at #2 for best performing unitary authority in the country. Councillor Drew Mellor, Poole Cabinet member for transportation, said: “These results demonstrate that despite having funding challenges, we deliver a really good service to our residents. It is a testament to the dedication of our staff and on how we deliver our services with customer needs in mind.”

Poole Museum is a treaure house for kids and adults alike. Packed with real history and fascinating details of life in Poole in times gone by, the museum is hosting free half-term fun events for any kids of 4-10 years old in your family from Tuesday 16 February to Sunday 21 February.Cllr Mohan Iyengar, Portfolio Holder for Culture and Leisure, Borough of Poole, said: “Don’t overlook Poole Museum this half term. It’s local and free and a super way to learn about the history of Poole in an enjoyable way. From centuries gone by to the recent past - I recommend it.”