Latest news with #MillieEarl
BBC News
3 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council new chief executive
A senior Dorset Council officer has been announced as the new chief executive of another local Dunn, who currently holds Dorset's finance brief, is moving to take control of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) is taking over from Graham Farrant, who announced his retirement earlier in 2025. Mr Dunn is expected to be on a salary of more than £200,000 a year and his appointment is subject to final approval by BCP Council on 3 June. His appointment comes after what BCP say was a "rigorous" recruitment authority statement said: "Aidan is an accomplished and forward-thinking public sector leader with over three decades of experience spanning local government, the civil service and the NHS." It added he had played a "pivotal role" in establishing the new unitary authority while working for Dorset Earl, leader of BCP Council, added: "He brings a wealth of experience, energy and enthusiasm and I am confident he will work with members to take BCP Council on the next stage of our exciting journey."Mr Dunn said he felt "excited and very privileged" to secure the role. You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
Daily Mirror
08-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
UK households urged to apply for new cost of living support worth £300
The money is being distributed by Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council as part of the Household Support Fund scheme - we explain who is eligible and how to apply UK households are being urged to check if they can apply for cost of living support worth up to £300. The money is being distributed by Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council as part of the Household Support Fund scheme. Each council gets to decide what type of help it offers and it typically comes in the form of one-off payments, or supermarket or energy vouchers. It is up to each local authority to also decide who is eligible for help. If you're a Bournemouth, Christchurch or Poole resident, you can receive a voucher to help with energy or food costs worth £300. This is split into two £150 vouchers. In order to be eligible, you must be over the age of 16 and living independently of parents or carers and have no money to cover essential bills. You can apply for the help online through Citizens Advice during the following application windows: 9am on May 12, 2025 to 4.30pm on July 4, 2025 9am on July 21, 2025 to 4.30pm on September 12, 2025 9am on September 29, 2025 to 4.30pm on November 21, 2025 9am on December 8, 2025 to 4.30pm on January 30, 2026 The council is also giving eligible families £15 vouchers per child during the school half terms. Council leader Cllr Millie Earl said: "I'm pleased the HSF has been extended for a seventh round to support people with the cost of living." 'The initiative can provide struggling households with crucial financial support, as well as practical advice and guidance from experts to help residents make their money go further. 'I urge anyone who thinks they might be eligible to apply, and to make the most of the practical advice and guidance on offer.' If you're not a Bournemouth, Christchurch or Poole resident, it is worth checking what support your local council can offer you. For example, Cambridgeshire County Council is awarding £180 worth of supermarket vouchers over the upcoming half terms and summer holiday to families that are normally in receipt of free school meals. Some vouchers have already been given out over Easter. Another payment of £110 is also being awarded to some Cambridgeshire households that have £16,000 or less in money, savings, and investments, and earn below a certain threshold. City of York Council is crediting £150 to your council tax account, as a direct discount off your bill, through the Household Support Fund. It is also providing a direct bank transfer worth £100. There is also a discretionary scheme, for people who are not identified by the council as receiving a council tax discount. For this, you would need to apply to the council and show that you're in need of financial assistance to help with the rising living costs.
Scottish Sun
07-05-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Households can now apply for cost of living cash worth £300
Read more to find out other benefits up for grabs amid the cost of living crisis CASH IN Households can now apply for cost of living cash worth £300 FAMILIES can cash in for a free payment worth up to £300 amid the cost of living crisis. Bournemouth, Christchurch and Pool Council (BCP) is providing financial aid to households unable to meet basic costs. Advertisement 2 Families could get up to £300 worth of grants Credit: Alamy It comes as part of the seventh round of Household Support Fund (HSF) grants for the region. The council's initiative is funded by the UK's Department of Work and Pensions (DWP). It will help struggling families until Tuesday, March 31, 2026. The scheme aims to provide low-income households with vital short-term financial support. Advertisement READ MORE MONEY NEWS HELPING HAND Full list of free cash and discounts you can get if you're claiming PIP It will also give practical advice on money management and energy efficiency. Council leader Cllr Millie Earl said: "I'm pleased the HSF has been extended for a seventh round to support people with the cost of living." She added: "The initiative can provide struggling households with crucial financial support, as well as practical advice and guidance from experts to help residents make their money go further." The council is teaming up with its community and voluntary sector partners through the Together We Can partnership. Advertisement They will offer a range of support for struggling households amid the high cost of living. The benefits for eligible families will include household grants for essential bills and food support. Five key changes to PIP & Universal Credit as Labour's benefits crackdown unveiled Wraparound support will also available - addressing issues such as benefits advice, homelessness, domestic abuse, and practical budgeting and debt management guidance. The HSF also offers grant vouchers worth a whopping £150 to eligible residents in two separate rounds over the funding period. Advertisement This means households could be entitled to up to £300 in cost of living support over the year. Those who want to apply have to do so within the application windows - which are open at specific periods throughout the year. The HSF also provides a school holiday food voucher scheme for families with children. Families who are eligible could receive £15 for every child they have during the May half-term holidays. Advertisement The HSF also supports heat-saving upgrades - including loft or cavity wall insulation and other energy-saving measures to keep bills down. BCP Council is also working in collaboration with Dorset Community Foundation to provide small grants to community and volunteering organisations that are helping residents with cost of living issues. Eligible organisations can apply for up to £12,000 worth of HSF grant funding. 2 The £300 will come in two rounds of £150 payments Credit: Alamy
Telegraph
10-04-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
Staff at cash-strapped council granted right to work abroad
Bosses at a cash-strapped council have been granting requests from employees to work overseas. The leader of the Lib Dem-run Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) council confirmed at a recent meeting that 'some requests' from staff had been approved – despite 70 per cent of the council's 2,504 employees already working in a hybrid setting. Millie Earl, the leader of BCP council, said: 'We do know that both colleagues and councillors may carry out work from time to time whilst abroad and this can be as little as accessing emails whilst on holiday. 'We have, however, received a sporadic number of requests from colleagues wishing to work abroad temporarily which was particularly heightened around the time of Covid.' While their records show that there are no current council employees with a non-UK address, Ms Earl confirmed some of these requests had been granted 'subject to certain conditions, only on a temporary basis for specific personal reasons'. Ms Earl said: 'Our 2023 staff engagement survey had 2,504 responses which is a 52 per cent response rate. 'We know that the majority of those responding are in office or desk-based roles. 'Of those who responded 70 per cent said that they worked in a hybrid way with a range of colleagues working remotely for different proportions of time. 'None of our colleagues, unless agreed through a reasonable adjustment resulting from a disability, are considered as fully home-based. 'All colleagues are required to attend one of the council sites as required to either meet with their manager [or] teams as needed.' Struggle to save money The BCP council has faced significant financial pressure in recent years. In 2023, officials even discussed turning off street lights, closing splash parks, axing lollipop men and women and reducing library opening times in an attempt to save money. Last year, the council struggled to manage a funding gap of £44 million. Phil Broadhead, leader of the Conservative opposition at BCP council, said: 'While remote working has its place and can sometimes help to balance work and family life, there's equally a growing body of evidence that for many roles, productivity is greatest when people work from the office. 'This is especially important in many council roles, particularly those involving interaction with our residents. 'Lib Dem-run Somerset council recently admitted that they have five staff members based overseas, including two inextricably working in social care.'
BBC News
09-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Soft play facility and sports hall open in Bournemouth
A "vibrant" new soft play facility and sports hall have officially opened at a leisure Council leader Millie Earl cut the ribbon at Kings Park Leisure and Learning Centre in Bournemouth on Sunday with staff and children in than £400,000 of government funding went towards upgrades at the centre. The sports hall will offer court hire for pickleball, badminton, basketball and improvements include an extended café and function space, new heating and ventilation, and new ramps to enhance accessibility. Ms Earl said: "This brilliant facility is going to provide a vibrant new environment for families to develop, socialise, and have fun."The improvements align with BCP Council's vision that play and leisure facilities should be high-quality, accessible and inclusive which is what we are delivering here in response to community feedback." The soft play area is aimed at children aged from 18 months to 12 Herrett, head of destination, leisure and commercial operations at the council, said: "I'm really pleased that the site is now open: this refurbishment demonstrates our commitment to ensuring Kings Park Leisure and Learning Centre remains at the heart of the community long into the future."BCP Leisure expects the new refurbishments will see "thousands of additional participants take part in sports and activities each year". More than 2,000 people are currently enrolled on the centre's adult skills and learning courses, and 500 members of Bournemouth Elite Cheerleaders are based on the ground floor. You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
