Photo: John Norris · CC BY-SA 2.0Poole was decided by 18 votes in 2024
Poole is run by Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council. No party holds a majority on Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council. Poole is split between 3 parliamentary constituencies.
Today
Council by-election, Penn Hill (Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole)
Register to vote ↗How Poole’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 ↓
A close seat
Neil Duncan-Jordan (Labour) won Poole by 18 votes in July 2024, 0.04% of votes cast: the 2nd-narrowest result of 543 in England. Parliament ↓
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 Poole
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 Poole 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 Poole, from the most recent elections.
- 1Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council12 wards · 30 councillorsLiberal Democrat 18 · Conservative 5 · The Party for Poole People Ltd. 5 · Labour 2 · Poole Engage Party 2 · all 32
- 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.
30 councillors for 12 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.
- Millie Clementine EarlLiberal Democrat · May 2023
- Sandra MacKrowLiberal Democrat · May 2023
- Marion Le PoidevinLiberal Democrat · May 2023
- Rachel Marie Pattinson-WestLiberal Democrat · May 2023
- Tony TrentLiberal Democrat · May 2023
- Adrian David ChapmanlawLiberal Democrat · May 2023
- Sandra Elizabeth Hazel MooreLiberal Democrat · May 2023
- Chris MatthewsLiberal Democrat · May 2023
- Clare Elaine WeightLiberal Democrat · May 2023
- Brian HitchcockThe Party for Poole People Ltd. · May 2023
- Julie BagwellPoole Engage Party · May 2023
- Peter Jonathan CooperLabour · May 2023
- Andy HadleyThe Party for Poole People Ltd. · May 2023
- Mark HowellThe Party for Poole People Ltd. · May 2023
- Sue AitkenheadLabour · May 2023
- Jo ClementsLiberal Democrat · May 2023
- Oliver John WaltersLiberal Democrat · May 2023
- Felicity Joy RiceThe Party for Poole People Ltd. · May 2023
- Pete MilesThe Party for Poole People Ltd. · May 2023
- Crispin James GoodallLiberal Democrat · May 2023
- Emily Carrie HarmanLiberal Democrat · May 2023
- Vikki SladeLiberal Democrat · May 2023
- Peter Thomas SidawayLiberal Democrat · May 2023
- Judes ButtPoole Engage Party · May 2023
- Paul Richard SladeLiberal Democrat · May 2023
- Gavin WrightConservative · May 2024 · by-election
- May Yuen HainesConservative · May 2023
- John Ernest ChallinorConservative · May 2023
- Dawn LoganLiberal Democrat · September 2025 · by-election
- Matthew Stephen GillettLiberal Democrat · May 2023
- Karen Alexis RamptonConservative · May 2023
- Philip BroadheadConservative · May 2023
Show as a table
| Ward | Seats | Elected | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newtown & Heatherlandsall in Poole · 17,732 residents3 seats · May 2023 | 3 | Millie Clementine EarlSandra MacKrowMarion Le Poidevin | May 2023 |
| Alderney & Bourne Valleyall in Poole · 16,319 residents3 seats · May 2023 | 3 | Rachel Marie Pattinson-WestTony TrentAdrian David Chapmanlaw | May 2023 |
| Canford Heathall in Poole · 14,389 residents3 seats · May 2023 | 3 | Sandra Elizabeth Hazel MooreChris MatthewsClare Elaine Weight | May 2023 |
| Hamworthyall in Poole · 13,572 residents3 seats · May 2023 | 3 | Brian HitchcockJulie BagwellPeter Jonathan Cooper | May 2023 |
| Poole Townall in Poole · 12,673 residents3 seats · May 2023 | 3 | Andy HadleyMark HowellSue Aitkenhead | May 2023 |
| Penn Hillall in Poole · 11,542 residents2 seats · May 2023 | 2 | Jo ClementsOliver John Walters | May 2023 |
| Oakdaleall in Poole · 11,190 residents2 seats · May 2023 | 2 | Felicity Joy RicePete Miles | May 2023 |
| Parkstoneall in Poole · 10,683 residents2 seats · May 2023 | 2 | Crispin James GoodallEmily Carrie Harman | May 2023 |
| Broadstoneall in Poole · 10,287 residents2 seats · May 2023 | 2 | Vikki SladePeter Thomas Sidaway | May 2023 |
| Creekmoorall in Poole · 9,467 residents2 seats · May 2023 | 2 | Judes ButtPaul Richard Slade | May 2023 |
| Canford Cliffsall in Poole · 9,043 residents2 seats · May 2024, May 2023 | 2 | Gavin Wrightby-electionMay Yuen HainesJohn Ernest Challinor | May 2024, May 2023 |
| Talbot & Branksome Woods30% in Poole · 4,112 residents3 seats · September 2025, May 2023 | 3 | Dawn Loganby-electionMatthew Stephen GillettKaren Alexis RamptonPhilip Broadhead | September 2025, 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 Poole, as declared. Percentages are of votes cast for candidates in each ward; where a ward elects several councillors, each voter has that many votes.
12 wards voted. Every seat in the town’s wards was up.
- 5 November 2026Council by-election, Penn Hill (Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole)8 candidates: Ace Cruz (Green), Xena Mary Anne Dion (Reform UK), Louise Christine Fielden (Independent), Ashley Fraser (Conservative), Amanda Jellicoe (Liberal Democrat), Ralph Lynch (Labour), Susan Jane Stockwell (Independent), Max Walker (Restore Britain)
8,489 votes for candidates · 3 seats, so 3 votes each
8,337 votes for candidates · 3 seats, so 3 votes each
9,174 votes for candidates · 3 seats, so 3 votes each
Every ward’s result (9 more)
6,725 votes for candidates · 3 seats, so 3 votes each
7,820 votes for candidates · 3 seats, so 3 votes each
5,669 votes for candidates · 2 seats, so 2 votes each
4,652 votes for candidates · 2 seats, so 2 votes each
5,666 votes for candidates · 2 seats, so 2 votes each
7,081 votes for candidates · 2 seats, so 2 votes each
4,090 votes for candidates · 2 seats, so 2 votes each
5,739 votes for candidates · 2 seats, so 2 votes each
8,138 votes for candidates · 3 seats, so 3 votes each
Candidates and results: Democracy Club (CC BY 4.0), from councils’ declared results; polling dates from Democracy Club’s EveryElection.
Poole 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
68% of Poole’s residents live in this constituency.
Turnout 61% (England 60%).
Majority 18 of 44,495 votes (0.04%): the 2nd-narrowest of 543 in England.
Liberal Democrat, MP since 4 July 2024
18% of Poole’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.
Labour, MP since 4 July 2024
14% of Poole’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.
44,495 votes for candidates · majority 18
Labour, MP since 4 July 2024.
turnout in July 2024: 44,495 votes from 72,509 registered voters. England: 60%.
Majority 18 of 44,495 votes (0.04%): the 2nd-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.
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.
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.
Poole’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 | Poole’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 Poole 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 Poole is run
Does Poole have a town council?
No. Poole is unparished, so there is no town or parish council and no parish precept.
Who is the MP for Poole?
Poole is split between 3 constituencies: Poole (Neil Duncan-Jordan, Labour), Mid Dorset and North Poole (Vikki Slade, Liberal Democrat) and Bournemouth West (Jessica Toale, Labour). Parliament’s Find your MP service matches a postcode to its MP.
How many councillors does Poole have?
30 ward councillors represent Poole’s 12 wards.
When are the next elections in Poole?
The next poll is on 5 November 2026: Council by-election, Penn Hill (Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole).
How much is council tax in Poole?
Band D council tax in Poole 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 Poole?
In Poole’s wards on 4 May 2023, Liberal Democrat 17 · The Party for Poole People Ltd. 5 · Conservative 4 · Labour 2 · Poole Engage Party 2 of the 30 seats up. The Liberal Democrats had the largest share of votes, 41.2%.
Is Poole a marginal seat?
Neil Duncan-Jordan (Labour) won it by 18 votes in July 2024, 0.04% of votes cast: the 2nd-narrowest result of 543 in England.
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.