This co-created plan is the product of a unique year-long citizens’ panel process, a joint initiative between Bournemouth West MP Jessica Toale and BCP Council Leader Millie Earl. The programme of working sessions was designed and delivered by Feria Urbanism, as was the final suite of documents.
In April 2025, fifty residents were selected from almost 250 applicants, demographically balanced to reflect the town’s population. The panel met across five structured Saturday sessions between June and November 2025. The process moved from diagnosis (identifying strengths, weaknesses and challenges) through to guest-speakers who helped to add context, before moving to ideas generation and refinement, culminating in a shared vision and set of values built on genuine resident influence rather than ad hoc consultation.
The resulting plan is structured around eight themes: Community Engagement & Civic Pride, Regeneration & Placemaking, Retail & Economic Growth, Culture & Year-Round Activation, Safety & Security, Movement & Accessibility, Wellbeing & Public Realm, and Engagement & Governance.
Each theme pairs a strategic aim with a Flagship Action (such as a women’s safety initiative, new shuttle services, and street art on empty units) and near-term Kick-Off Actions. Framed explicitly as a living document, it will depend on sustained buy-in from partners across the town to turn the panel’s collective voice into lasting change.
