Photo: Colin Vosper · CC BY-SA 2.0No party holds a majority on Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council
Bournemouth is run by Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council. No party holds a majority on Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council. Bournemouth is split between 3 parliamentary constituencies.
£2,400
Band D, a year, the middle band every council sets its tax from.
Where it goes →How Bournemouth’s politics has changed since 2021
No majority on Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council
The Liberal Democrats, the largest group, hold 29 of its 76 seats as elected, 10 short of the 39 needed. Labour holds 11, the Conservatives 11, Christchurch Independents 8, the Greens 6, The Party for Poole People Ltd. 5 and independents 4. Who’s in charge ↓
Written from the data on this page: Democracy Club results since May 2021, the UK Parliament Members API and MHCLG council tax.
No party has a majority
Seats by party as elected. A party needs 39 of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole’s 76 seats to run the council alone.
- Liberal Democrat29
- Conservative11
- Labour11
- Christchurch Independents8
- Green6
- The Party for Poole People Ltd.5
- Independent4
- Poole Engage Party2
Latest election: May 2023.
Seats are counted from election results: each ward’s most recent winners until its seats are filled. Councillors who have since changed party or resigned aren’t reflected, and which parties lead the council, and who is leader, comes from the council itself.
Results: Democracy Club (CC BY 4.0), elections since May 2021; seats per ward from its EveryElection.
The councils that run Bournemouth
One council runs every main service here.
Every main council service: schools, social care, roads, bins, planning, housing and libraries.
Website ↗Who to ask
From GOV.UK’s “Understand how your council works”: here one council runs every main service.
All of Bournemouth is unparished: there is no parish or town council, so the council runs local matters itself and no parish precept is added to the bill.
Councils from ONS lookups (wards and councils May 2026, parishes 2025), names and websites from GOV.UK’s local council finder; parish councils from MHCLG’s 2026–27 list of precepting parishes.
From the council to Westminster
Every elected tier that speaks for Bournemouth, from the most recent elections.
- 1Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council16 wards · 36 councillorsConservative 11 · Labour 9 · Liberal Democrat 8 · Green 6 · Independent 5 · all 39
- 2Police and crime commissionerDorset Police · elected May 2024David Sidwick
- 3House of CommonsSplit between 3 constituencies
Party colours are neutral on purpose: they tell parties apart and aren’t the parties’ own. Tap an MP’s name for their contact page on parliament.uk.
36 councillors for 16 wards
Wards with at least 2% of the town’s residents, or half their own inside it. Each shows who won its most recent elections, newest first, until its seats are filled.
- Cameron Ralph AdamsConservative · May 2023
- Duane William FarrConservative · May 2023
- Michelle Andrea DowerLabour and Co-operative · May 2023
- Sara Louise ArmstrongGreen · June 2023 · by-election
- Martin Joseph BedfordLabour · May 2023
- Anne-Marie MoriartyLabour · May 2023
- Anne FilerConservative · May 2023
- Toby Edward George SladeConservative · October 2024 · by-election
- Kieron WilsonIndependent · May 2023
- Lisa NorthoverIndependent · May 2023
- Brian George CastleIndependent · May 2023
- Hazel AllenConservative · May 2023
- Jamie Paul MartinLabour · May 2023
- Simon BullGreen · May 2023
- Chris RigbyGreen · May 2023
- Alasdair KeddieGreen · May 2023
- Sharon Carr-BrownLabour · May 2023
- George S FarquharLabour · May 2023
- Eleanor ConnollyLabour · May 2023
- Olivia Maria BrownLiberal Democrat · May 2023
- Richard HerrettLiberal Democrat · May 2023
- Patrick CanavanLabour · May 2023
- Gillian Mary MartinLabour · May 2023
- Alice Kate SalmonGreen · May 2023
- Joe SalmonGreen · May 2023
- Brian ChickLiberal Democrat · May 2023
- Jeff HannaLiberal Democrat · May 2023
- John William BeesleyConservative · May 2023
- David D'Orton-GibsonConservative · May 2023
The other 4 wards
- Lawrence WilliamsConservative · May 2023
- Bobbie DoveConservative · May 2023
- Stephen Gordon George BartlettIndependent · May 2023
- Jackie EdwardsIndependent · May 2023
- Dawn LoganLiberal Democrat · September 2025 · by-election
- Matthew Stephen GillettLiberal Democrat · May 2023
- Karen Alexis RamptonConservative · May 2023
- Philip BroadheadConservative · May 2023
- Bernadette Patricia NanovoLiberal Democrat · May 2023
- Judy RichardsonLiberal Democrat · May 2023
Show as a table
| Ward | Seats | Elected | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kinsonall in Bournemouth · 17,794 residents3 seats · May 2023 | 3 | Cameron Ralph AdamsDuane William FarrMichelle Andrea Dower | May 2023 |
| East Cliff & Springbourneall in Bournemouth · 17,208 residents3 seats · June 2023, May 2023 | 3 | Sara Louise Armstrongby-electionMartin Joseph BedfordAnne-Marie MoriartyAnne Filer | June 2023, May 2023 |
| Muscliff & Strouden Parkall in Bournemouth · 16,747 residents3 seats · October 2024, May 2023 | 3 | Toby Edward George Sladeby-electionKieron WilsonLisa NorthoverBrian George Castle | October 2024, May 2023 |
| Bournemouth Centralall in Bournemouth · 16,222 residents2 seats · May 2023 | 2 | Hazel AllenJamie Paul Martin | May 2023 |
| Winton Eastall in Bournemouth · 11,826 residents2 seats · May 2023 | 2 | Simon BullChris Rigby | May 2023 |
| Queen's Parkall in Bournemouth · 11,392 residents2 seats · May 2023 | 2 | Alasdair KeddieSharon Carr-Brown | May 2023 |
| Boscombe East & Pokesdownall in Bournemouth · 11,188 residents2 seats · May 2023 | 2 | George S FarquharEleanor Connolly | May 2023 |
| Wallisdown & Winton Westall in Bournemouth · 10,823 residents2 seats · May 2023 | 2 | Olivia Maria BrownRichard Herrett | May 2023 |
| Boscombe Westall in Bournemouth · 10,589 residents2 seats · May 2023 | 2 | Patrick CanavanGillian Mary Martin | May 2023 |
| Moordownall in Bournemouth · 10,525 residents2 seats · May 2023 | 2 | Alice Kate SalmonJoe Salmon | May 2023 |
| West Southbourneall in Bournemouth · 10,446 residents2 seats · May 2023 | 2 | Brian ChickJeff Hanna | May 2023 |
| Westbourne & West Cliffall in Bournemouth · 10,318 residents2 seats · May 2023 | 2 | John William BeesleyDavid D'Orton-Gibson | May 2023 |
| Littledown & Ifordall in Bournemouth · 9,909 residents2 seats · May 2023 | 2 | Lawrence WilliamsBobbie Dove | May 2023 |
| Redhill & Northbourneall in Bournemouth · 9,872 residents2 seats · May 2023 | 2 | Stephen Gordon George BartlettJackie Edwards | May 2023 |
| Talbot & Branksome Woodsmostly in Bournemouth · 9,561 residents3 seats · September 2025, May 2023 | 3 | Dawn Loganby-electionMatthew Stephen GillettKaren Alexis RamptonPhilip Broadhead | September 2025, May 2023 |
| East Southbourne & Tucktonall in Bournemouth · 8,811 residents2 seats · May 2023 | 2 | Bernadette Patricia NanovoJudy Richardson | May 2023 |
Councillors can resign, change party or sit as independents between elections; a by-election winner replaces someone not named here. Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council’s website lists who sits now.
Results from Democracy Club’s candidates database (CC BY 4.0; elections since May 2021) and ward seats from its EveryElection, matched to ONS wards (May 2026) and county divisions (May 2025).
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole council election, May 2023
Results in the wards that make up Bournemouth, as declared. Percentages are of votes cast for candidates in each ward; where a ward elects several councillors, each voter has that many votes.
16 wards voted. Every seat in the town’s wards was up.
No election is scheduled yet for Bournemouth’s wards in Democracy Club’s list. Councils publish a notice of election about five weeks before polling day.
Who can I vote for? ↗8,396 votes for candidates · 3 seats, so 3 votes each
7,859 votes for candidates · 3 seats, so 3 votes each
9,947 votes for candidates · 3 seats, so 3 votes each
Every ward’s result (13 more)
3,759 votes for candidates · 2 seats, so 2 votes each
3,426 votes for candidates · 2 seats, so 2 votes each
4,794 votes for candidates · 2 seats, so 2 votes each
4,676 votes for candidates · 2 seats, so 2 votes each
3,925 votes for candidates · 2 seats, so 2 votes each
3,226 votes for candidates · 2 seats, so 2 votes each
4,337 votes for candidates · 2 seats, so 2 votes each
5,501 votes for candidates · 2 seats, so 2 votes each
4,476 votes for candidates · 2 seats, so 2 votes each
4,552 votes for candidates · 2 seats, so 2 votes each
4,087 votes for candidates · 2 seats, so 2 votes each
8,138 votes for candidates · 3 seats, so 3 votes each
6,029 votes for candidates · 2 seats, so 2 votes each
Candidates and results: Democracy Club (CC BY 4.0), from councils’ declared results; polling dates from Democracy Club’s EveryElection.
Bournemouth is split between 3 constituencies
The constituencies’ MP and the 4 July 2024 general election, the whole constituency’s result.
Labour, MP since 4 July 2024
54% of Bournemouth’s residents live in this constituency.
Turnout 62% (England 60%).
Majority 5,479 of 44,910 votes (12.2%): the 237th-narrowest of 543 in England.
Labour, MP since 4 July 2024
44% of Bournemouth’s residents live in this constituency.
Turnout 56% (England 60%).
Majority 3,224 of 39,418 votes (8.2%): the 153rd-narrowest of 543 in England.
Liberal Democrat, MP since 4 July 2024
2% of Bournemouth’s residents live in this constituency.
Turnout 66% (England 60%).
Majority 1,352 of 49,514 votes (2.7%): the 54th-narrowest of 543 in England.
44,910 votes for candidates · majority 5,479
Labour, MP since 4 July 2024.
turnout in July 2024: 44,910 votes from 72,354 registered voters. England: 60%.
Majority 5,479 of 44,910 votes (12.2%): the 237th-narrowest of 543 in England.
Bournemouth West
39,418 votes for candidates · majority 3,224
Labour, MP since 4 July 2024.
turnout in July 2024: 39,418 votes from 70,259 registered voters. England: 60%.
Majority 3,224 of 39,418 votes (8.2%): the 153rd-narrowest of 543 in England.
Mid Dorset and North Poole
49,514 votes for candidates · majority 1,352
Liberal Democrat, MP since 4 July 2024.
turnout in July 2024: 49,514 votes from 75,294 registered voters. England: 60%.
Majority 1,352 of 49,514 votes (2.7%): the 54th-narrowest of 543 in England.
MPs and results: UK Parliament Members API (Open Parliament Licence v3.0); constituencies from ONS (2024 boundaries). Percentages are of valid votes; turnout is votes cast over the electorate.
Bournemouth’s Band D council tax is £2,400 a year
Where a Band D bill goes, what it has cost over the years, and what the councils plan to spend per resident.
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council keeps £1,980.46 of a Band D bill (83%); the rest goes to the Dorset police and crime commissioner and the Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Authority.
Your bill by band
A Band D home in the unparished part of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, 2026–27, before discounts. The Valuation Office Agency’s band search gives any home’s band.
Council budgets per resident, 2026–27
Show as a table, with Dorset
| Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole | Bournemouth’s councils | Dorset | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult social care | £489 | £497 | £487 |
| Children’s social care | £286 | £273 | £290 |
| Roads and transport | £18 | £30 | £41 |
| Housing (not council homes’ rents) | £63 | £46 | £61 |
| Bins, street cleaning, environment | £116 | £111 | £119 |
| Libraries, leisure, culture | £46 | £36 | £44 |
| Planning and development | £29 | £25 | £26 |
| Public health | £68 | £58 | £78 |
| Running the council | £46 | £54 | £59 |
| Other | £37 | £57 | £19 |
| Total, schools apart | £1,198 | £1,188 | £1,234 |
Net budgeted service spending, MHCLG Revenue Account budget 2026–27, per resident (ONS mid-2025 estimates). Schools are left out: academies are paid for directly by government, so council school budgets depend on how many schools have converted. Dorset and England: all their councils together. Police, fire and transport authorities aren’t included.
Band D: MHCLG Band D council tax 2026–27 (each authority’s own figure, excluding parish precepts) and Council Tax statistics for town and parish councils 2026–27; since 1993–94, MHCLG’s area averages including parishes.
Having a say in how Bournemouth is run
It takes about five minutes online; the deadline is 12 working days before a poll.
gov.uk ↗Type a postcode to write to each of its councillors and its MP.
WriteToThem ↗GOV.UK sends the report to the council that looks after the road.
gov.uk ↗Council and committee meetings are open to the public, with agendas and minutes online.
bcpcouncil.gov.uk ↗Anyone can comment while an application is open for consultation.
bcpcouncil.gov.uk ↗The rules, nomination papers and guidance for council candidates.
Electoral Commission ↗Questions about how Bournemouth is run
Does Bournemouth have a town council?
No. Bournemouth is unparished, so there is no town or parish council and no parish precept.
Who is the MP for Bournemouth?
Bournemouth is split between 3 constituencies: Bournemouth East (Tom Hayes, Labour), Bournemouth West (Jessica Toale, Labour) and Mid Dorset and North Poole (Vikki Slade, Liberal Democrat). Parliament’s Find your MP service matches a postcode to its MP.
How many councillors does Bournemouth have?
36 ward councillors represent Bournemouth’s 16 wards.
When are the next elections in Bournemouth?
No election is scheduled yet in Democracy Club’s list for Bournemouth’s wards. The next UK general election must be held by August 2029.
How much is council tax in Bournemouth?
Band D council tax in Bournemouth is £2,400 for 2026–27. Your bill depends on your home’s band, from A (6/9 of Band D) to H (18/9).
Who controls Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council?
No party has a majority. As elected, Liberal Democrat 29 · Labour 11 · Conservative 11 · Christchurch Independents 8 · Green 6 · The Party for Poole People Ltd. 5 · Independent 4 · Poole Engage Party 2 of 76 seats; a majority needs 39. The council’s website lists who leads it now.
Who won the 2023 council election in Bournemouth?
In Bournemouth’s wards on 4 May 2023, Conservative 10 · Labour 9 · Liberal Democrat 7 · Green 5 · Independent 5 of the 36 seats up. The Conservatives had the largest share of votes, 29.6%.
Sources: ONS ward, county division, parish, constituency lookups (Census 2021 output areas; Open Government Licence v3.0) · GOV.UK local council finder · Democracy Club candidates (CC BY 4.0) and EveryElection · UK Parliament Members API (Open Parliament Licence v3.0) · MHCLG Band D council tax, parish precepts and Revenue Account budgets 2026–27 (OGL v3.0) · ONS mid-2025 population estimates. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Contains HM Land Registry data © Crown copyright and database right 2026. Contains OS data © Crown copyright and database right 2026 (ONS boundaries). Northern Ireland: Source: NISRA; contains Land & Property Services data and Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland information, © Crown copyright, licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Scotland: contains National Records of Scotland data, Registers of Scotland data and SEPA data, © Crown copyright / © SEPA 2025, licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.