Hi everyone,

I had hoped we had gathered enough support for this petition to be formally accepted and presented at the next full council meeting on 14th October 2025. Unfortunately, I’ve now been told that it has not met the official criteria because a large number of signatures are showing postcodes from outside BCP.

I explained that this often happens because of internet service provider locations or where people are at the time of signing (rather than where they actually live). Sadly, this explanation was not accepted.

This is hugely disappointing. More than 2,600 people took the time to sign and we do not want that effort to be wasted. The petition will remain open, because it’s important to keep showing the depth of opposition to these proposals.

Let’s remember: nearly 2,000 residents responded to BCP’s own consultation, with a very large proportion saying NO to parish and town councils. Yet we’re being told this is “too small” a number to matter. Strangely, when just over 1,200 responded to a different consultation in 2022, BCP declared it the “highest engagement level ever.” So why the double standard?

I’m asking everyone to give this one final push, please share widely and encourage friends and family within the BCP area to sign. Most importantly, check that the postcode shown is their home address in BCP.

Together, we can send the clearest possible message that residents do not support this move – and we will not be dismissed.

Thank you all for your continued support.

Jo