TOWN and parish councils are still waiting for open spaces, play parks and other assets to be handed over by BCP Council.

Christchurch Town Council had an agreement in place with BCP Council in early 2019 to take on the management of various sites.

Many of these have still not been transferred, despite residents in the ancient borough paying a council tax precept towards them.

Highcliffe and Walkford Parish Council is at loggerheads with the unitary authority over two play areas and a recreation ground.

In May last year, BCP Council leaders supported the handover subject to officers finalising a proposed agreement.

However, parish councillor Bob Hutchings said they could not move forward on the terms set out as they would be unviable.

Cllr Hutchings said the proposal for in Bluebell Close, Mudeford Wood and the whole of Highcliffe Recreation Ground had become "unacceptable" and would have left Highcliffe tax payers facing too much of a financial burden.

"We have no complaints about the maintenance but we believe we can manage them better locally," said Cllr Hutchings.

Highcliffe Parish Council has tabled an alternative deal to address the issue related to a one-off financial sum BCP Council would provide to support management of the assets going forward. It is waiting for a respond from BCP Council.

Cllr Mark Anderson, BCP Council portfolio holder for environment and place, said: “The council made an offer of terms to transfer the assets to the Highcliffe and Walkford Parish Council, but these terms were considered unacceptable by the parish council, who have in turn, proposed alternative terms which BCP Council are currently considering.

Bournemouth Echo: Cllr Mark AndersonCllr Mark Anderson

"We are optimistic that a solution that is acceptable to all parties will be found, but it has not been found yet.”

Meanwhile, Christchurch Town Council and BCP Council member Simon McCormack said it was frustrating that the some of the asset transfers to the town council had still not been resolved.

This included the Barrack Road recreation ground and pavilion, which has been vandalised.

"It is clear if it was in town council ownership it would be open and running youth football teams and other groups," said Cllr McCormack.

"It is a real shame because it is not brining benefit to the community.

"We are collecting a precept on all of these sites but not in control of them."

In response to the town council situation, Cllr Anderson said: “Certain playground assets weren’t transferred under the original government order, as we were continuing to refurbish them under a contract that ran beyond March 2019.

"As a result, a different legal process is required to transfer these and this process is ongoing.

"We hope to finalise the transfer of these assets very soon.

"We have always planned to handover these assets – and the financial liability for them – to Christchurch Town Council with the assets in a good condition, so that the people of Christchurch can continue to use them for years to come.”