Hello Poole!

This week we’ve got a festive mix of news, events, and updates that really matter to our town. From big Christmas shows at Lighthouse Poole to creative workshops at Upton House, there’s something to get everyone into the holiday spirit.

Our big story takes a closer look at proposals for Poole Town Council, including estimated budgets, projected costs to taxpayers, and what this could mean for local governance. Plus, we’ve got major updates on a new venue proposed for Poole Quay, a new stop-motion animation studio, and the latest on Poole’s water safety and local developments.

It’s all here to keep you informed, inspired, and ready to enjoy the festive season in Poole!

Enjoy!

PooleNow is now proudly sponsored by Bournemouth One, the local radio station bringing you music, news and travel updates across Dorset. Listen whilst you read!

Bruno Lounge Proposed for Poole Quay

Loungers UK – the team behind much-loved spots including Delfino Lounge in Poole, Circo Lounge in Westbourne and Cosy Club in Bournemouth – has submitted a planning application to open Bruno Lounge on Poole Quay.

Many locals will remember the premises from its various former lives, including Dundees, a leather shop and, most recently, a Greek restaurant.

If approved, Bruno Lounge would add another buzzy all-day venue to the Quay, offering the group’s familiar mix of brunch, coffee, cocktails and relaxed dining in a dog-friendly setting.

More details will follow once the application progresses.

New Sculpture Unveiled at Upton Country Park

A new piece of public art has been unveiled at Upton Country Park – a striking Ancaster Limestone sculpture titled Confluence, created by artist Jonathan Loxley.

The sculpture, which stands 1.9 metres tall and is carved from a single block of creamy limestone, has been generously donated by John Biggs and Irene Eskenazi. It now sits within the herbaceous borders surrounding the Walled Garden.

The installation is part of the government-funded Coastal Art Trail project, delivered by BCP Council’s Cultural Development Team, which aims to bring more high-quality outdoor art to the area.

New Boat Licensing Rules Proposed for Poole & Christchurch Harbours

BCP Council is proposing new licensing rules for pleasure boats and personal watercraft hire businesses, aiming to improve safety and standardise requirements across both harbours.

The draft Pleasure Boat and Boatperson Policy would require annual vessel inspections, £5m public liability insurance, clear safety plans and council-issued licences for skippers. Personal watercraft hire would also be restricted to daylight hours and not permitted for under-14s without an adult.

A six-week public consultation is planned for 2025 once the policy has gone through the council’s licensing committee. The council says the aim is to raise standards and ensure operators are properly trained and accountable.

Stop Motion Animation Suite Opens at Bournemouth & Poole College

A new stop motion animation suite has opened at the College’s Poole campus, giving students professional-standard facilities including eight kitted-out workstations, Dragonframe software and specialist fabrication tools.

The studio supports everything from model-making to full production and was officially opened on 5 December by MP Neil Duncan-Jordan. The College says it strengthens the region’s creative skills pipeline and gives learners hands-on experience in a competitive industry.

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How Poole’s New Town Council Will Be Set Up and What It Means for Residents

A clear look at the plans and budget going to Full Council on Tuesday 9 December

This week, BCP Council will take one of the final decisions needed to set up the new town councils for Poole, Broadstone and Bournemouth. The proposals go to Full Council on Tuesday 9 December, and before they are approved, we’ve taken a close look at the plans and the draft budgets so you can see exactly what’s in store for Poole.

This is one of the biggest local changes since BCP Council was created in 2019. From April next year, Poole will have its own Town Council, a new tier of local decision-making, focusing specifically on Poole and funded by a small share of council tax called a precept.

Below, we’ve broken down what’s being proposed, how the new council will be set up, when key decisions will be made, and what the draft budget tells us about the services and projects Poole Town Council could support.

First things first: how the new council will be created

Although Poole Town Council officially launches on 1 April 2026, the work to set it up begins months earlier.

Shadow Councils begin on 1 January 2026

To prepare everything in advance, BCP Council is proposing the creation of Shadow Councils for Poole, Broadstone and Bournemouth. These temporary bodies will operate from 1 January to 31 March 2026 and will be made up of BCP councillors whose wards fall within each new town council area.

Their job is to get the essentials in place before day one. That includes:

• Appointing the Town Clerk, who will act as both the chief executive and finance officer.

• Approving the recruitment process for additional staff.

• Making early operational decisions (meeting venues, processes, IT, and governance documents).

• Ensuring the new council is legally compliant from the moment it launches.

For Poole, the Shadow Council is expected to have a particularly important role because of the scale of services and civic responsibilities the new authority may take on over time.

Who will run Poole Town Council?

Every town council must employ a Town Clerk, who acts as its senior officer and is responsible for financial management, legal compliance, and day-to-day running.

Poole will have:

• A full-time Town Clerk

• A part-time finance officer

• A part-time mayoral support officer

This reflects Poole’s size and the intention for the new council to have a public presence in the town centre — somewhere residents can visit, call, or contact directly.

The Town Clerk for Poole will be recruited early in 2026, with the aim of being in post by 1 April 2026. They will then oversee the recruitment of the additional staff needed.

For Broadstone, a smaller parish-style model is planned, with a part-time clerk. Bournemouth will follow a similar model to Poole, with full-time staffing and civic support.

What Poole Town Council will cost residents

The big question for most people is cost. BCP’s report includes estimated first-year precepts based on comparisons with similar towns, national guidance and advice from parish clerks.

The estimated Band D cost for Poole is:
£32.59 per year
that’s £2.72 per month or 63p per week.

This amount will appear as a separate line on your council tax bill from April 2026. Residents already exempt from council tax will continue to be exempt from the precept.

What residents get for that money

The precept will fund Poole Town Council’s operations, including staff, elections, community support and civic functions. It will also allow the council to support projects, events and local improvements.

Poole Town Council’s proposed first-year budget totals: £1,896,970.

This includes:

• Staffing and office costs

• The cost of town council elections in May 2026

• Support for civic events (like Remembrance, Mayor-making, heritage events)

• Community development and grants

• A contingency budget

• Six months of general reserves (to ensure financial stability — standard national practice)

But the most eye-catching part is this:

Poole has £609,400 set aside for local initiatives in year one.

This can be used to support:

• Community groups

• Local events and festivals

• High street improvements

• Youth projects

• Christmas lights

• Minor enhancements around the town

This sum is not yet allocated — decisions will be made by Poole’s newly elected councillors later in 2026. It represents the largest discretionary spend of the three new councils.

What services Poole Town Council will take on at the start?

This is an area with a lot of confusion, so clarity is important.

Only one service is legally required to transfer in April 2026: allotments.

Poole will take responsibility for nine allotment sites across the town. However, because it takes time to analyse staffing, equipment and service requirements:

BCP Council will continue to operate all allotment services until March 2027.

This ensures residents experience no disruption and gives the new council a year to plan how it wants to run the service in the future.

Other services, such as parks, playgrounds, street cleaning, and waste, remain with BCP Council unless Poole Town Council chooses to negotiate service transfers in later years.

What won’t change immediately

Although Poole Town Council will replace the Charter Trustees, many civic functions will continue as normal in year one, supported by BCP Council under a service agreement.

These include:

• Mayor’s chauffeurs and ceremonial support

• Storage of historic items and regalia

• Use of the Guildhall for civic purposes

This ensures continuity while giving the new council time to decide how it wants to run civic life long-term.

Where the money goes: a clearer look at the draft budget

The draft budget gives a helpful example of how the new council’s finances may be divided. Key areas include:

Community development & grants: £112,000

A substantial pot for groups, neighbourhood projects, local events and community improvements.

Events budget: £32,000
Civic and community events including Remembrance, heritage parades, and seasonal celebrations.

Civic functions: £23,150

To continue traditions like Mayor-making, regalia maintenance, awards and civic hospitality.

Central costs: £312,810

Staffing, IT, insurance, finance systems, office accommodation and day-to-day running.

Reserves: £523,850

This might seem high, but it is standard for new councils. National guidance recommends between 3 and 12 months of expenditure in reserves; Poole has budgeted for 6 months, which is considered responsible and typical for a council of this size.

What happens next

Here’s the timeline as it stands:

8 December – Overview & Scrutiny Board reviews the proposals
9 December – Full Council votes on the recommendations
1 January 2026 – Shadow Councils begin and clerks are recruited
1 April 2026 – Poole Town Council officially comes into existence
1 April 2026 – 31 March 2027 – BCP continues allotment and mayoral support under a temporary agreement

In summary

Poole Town Council will start small but with meaningful resources, a dedicated staffing team, and a sizeable fund for community projects. It won’t replace BCP Council, but it will give Poole its own voice again, a chance for residents and councillors to shape local priorities, support local groups, and strengthen Poole’s sense of identity.

We’ll keep following this closely and will update you after Tuesday’s Full Council meeting.

3 Local stories you might have missed

1. BU confirms tiniest sculpture record win – Bournemouth One 

2. Fatboy Slim and Friends in Dorset Camp Bestival takeover - BBC News 

3. £7.8m boost to improve BCP bus network – Bournemouth One 

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What’s on this week in (and around) Poole

Multiple Days

Thu 11 Dec – Sun 4 Jan
Dick Whittington (Panto), Lighthouse Poole, various times
From £15
CBeebies favourite Chris Jarvis returns as Dame Dolly Doughnuts for a sparkling, family-friendly panto filled with magic, music and mischievous fun. With West End star Bernadette Bangura as Fairy Bowbelles and jaw-dropping tricks from Corben Heward-Mills, it’s a festive treat for all ages.

Fri 12 – Sat 13 Dec
Rustic Wreath Making, Upton House, various sessions
Get creative in the stunning Upton House as you craft a willow wreath using natural materials from the Country Park. Includes mulled wine, a mince pie and a relaxed two-hour guided workshop.
Sessions: Fri 2–4pm & 6–8pm; Sat 11am–1pm & 2–4pm.

Sat 13 – Sun 14 Dec
Christmas Afternoon Tea, Upton House, 12pm & 2.45pm
Enjoy scones, sandwiches, festive treats and mulled wine inside the beautifully decorated Grade II* Upton House. Children’s portions and highchairs available.
Book: uptoncountrypark.digitickets.co.uk/event-tickets/72001

Tuesday

The Good Quiz, The Goods Yard
Put on your thinking caps, gather your teammates and take part in the no pen, no paper, NO CHEATING, speed quiz!

Wednesday

BSO: Monumental Brahms, Lighthouse Poole, 7.30pm, from £20.90
A rich programme featuring Kernis, Mozart and Brahms, with sweeping strings, dramatic symphonic writing and moments of breathtaking stillness. A two-hour evening of orchestral brilliance.

Live Music: Saurus, Bermuda Triangle Pub, 8.30–10.30pm
Enjoy a midweek set from Saurus at Ashley Cross’s lively local. Free entry.

Sip & Paint Christmas Bauble Workshop, The Bricklayers, from 6pm
Create your own festive bauble in a relaxed two-hour session with mulled wine or bubbly included. All materials provided, no experience needed.
Book at: www.thebricklayerspub.co.uk (select 10 December)

Thursday

Poole Schools’ Music Association Christmas Concert, Lighthouse Poole, 7pm, from £12.10
Sixteen Poole schools come together for a heartwarming celebration of music, community and festive spirit.

Skinny Malinkys Taco Thursdays, Bermuda Triangle Pub, 5–9pm
Tacos served until they sell out. Pair with margaritas, tequila or Mexican lager.

Friday

Live Music: Hugh Budden & The Blue Chords, Bermuda Triangle Pub, 9–11pm
Expect blues, rhythm and soul from this hugely popular Ashley Cross act.

Kaboodle, The Goods Yard, 9pm
A lively mix of rock, blues, soul and reggae spanning the 60s to the 00s. High-energy and guaranteed to get people dancing.

Saturday

Buttons & Bows Christmas Craft Fayre, Lighthouse Poole, 10am–4pm
Free entry
Local handmade gifts, workshops, kids’ activities, face painting and more across Function Rooms 1 & 2. A perfect place to finish the Christmas shopping.

Family Cinema: Arthur Christmas, Lighthouse Poole, 11.30am
From £5.50
A family favourite festive animation with no ads or trailers. Includes a post-film creative workshop.
Book now

A Very Magna Christmas, St Peter’s Poole, 2.30pm

Join Magna Sinfonia for a family-friendly orchestral concert full of festive cheer! Book

Save the Children Christmas Parade, Wimborne Minster, 3pm
A colourful procession of floats, music and community groups raising funds and awareness for Save the Children. Fairground rides in the Square throughout the day. Route: Park Lane, East Street, King Street, West Street, finishing in the Square.

Step Into Christmas, Lighthouse Poole, 7.30pm
From £22.50
A big, feel-good Christmas concert packed with festive hits and singalong moments.
Book now

Coastal Comedy Christmas Special, Lighthouse Poole, 8pm
From £19.49
Featuring headline act Terry Alderton plus Ant Dewson and Ingrid Dahle for a night of high-energy, award-winning comedy.
Book now

Stumble, Lord Nelson, 8.15pm
A night of great rock and pop covers spanning several decades.

Sunday

Christmas Fun, Lulworth Castle, 10.30am until 4pm
Hunt the crackers around the castle and find the gingerbread people as you explore the Park, complete your quizbook and claim your prizes!
Book

𝗗𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗲𝘁 𝗖𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗲𝘁 𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗺𝗮𝘀 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗤𝘂𝗶𝘇 𝗡𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁, Hamworthy Sports Club, 6pm
Join Dorset Cricket for an evening of festive fun, friendly competition, and community spirit, all in support of the Lord’s Taverners
Join in

Monday

Sip & Paint, Rockwater Branksome, 6.30–9pm
A relaxed festive painting session with guidance from artist Eleanor Whyton. All materials provided; drinks available to purchase.
Book: https://www.rockwater.uk/village/whats-on/

Pub Quiz Night – Bermuda Triangle Pub, 7.30–10.30pm
£3 entry includes quiz and bar snacks. Friendly fun to start the week.

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That’s it! See you next week!