THREE Towns Alliance leaders have hit back at Conservative claims that “people are fed up” with the current BCP Council administration. 

The group, which consists of Lib Dems and independents from the three towns, said the current administration is a “world away from the toxic chaotic, irresponsible and reckless” past terms. 

Leader Millie Earl said the Conservatives are “complacent if they think residents have forgiven them for what they’ve done to us all”. 

She said the former leaders Phil Broadhead and Drew Mellor “drove the council in to near-financial ruin, leaving others to pick up the pieces”. 

“From shutting down FuturePlaces, getting the best value improvement notice lifted and setting a responsible budget, the Three Towns Alliance has been busy clearing up the Conservatives' mess", she said.

“I'm proud that we have chosen to prioritise the services that matter most to local people, protecting the most vulnerable and keeping our communities safe, rather than gambling with taxpayers' money on dodgy deals and raiding reserves for vanity projects.” 

Mike Cox, deputy leader, added: “I am sure Conservatives voters are fed up with the Alliance. If they believe the constant spin and nonsense and rewriting of history put out by Philip Broadhead’s gang they will no doubt be down in the dumps. 

“The fact is though most residents are not Conservative supporters - (the Tories have just a handful of councillors on BCP now) and they understand the disastrous financial legacy left by Mr Broadhead and the gone but not forgotten Drew Mellor.  

“The regular comments on the Echo website clearly show your readers have not forgotten the appalling Broadhead-Mellor years. 

Mike Cox, deputy leader BCP CouncilMike Cox, deputy leader BCP Council (Image: BCP Council)

“It was a legacy which resulted in a 'warning' notice being issued by government, a notice lifted in record time by the four party alliance committed to responsible financial government and putting the needs of all the residents first not just the friends of the Conservative party.” 

He added: “It’s not easy, it’s not pretty at times, but it’s fair, responsible and transparent. And it is a world away from the toxic chaotic, irresponsible, reckless Broadhead-Mellor administration.” 

Cllr Broadhead previously said the recent by-election victory for the Conservatives in the Muscliff and Strouden Park ward showed that residents think Bournemouth “is heading in the wrong direction”. 

He added “residents think that this current alliance of Liberal Democrats and Independents are not putting the focus where it should be”.