The ability to hold the Council to account was then weakened with the right of the opposition party to chair many of the 'Scrutiny and Review Panels' was removed, making it harder to check the work of the Council.

Our Beaches
Then came news that beach cleaning and toilet facilities were to be reduced. This defied logic as the beach is Bournemouth's trump card. It is one of the principal reasons why visitors (business and leisure) come here.

Lib Dems dramatically laid off a third of the beach staff before receiving a backlash from the public. Many staff were re-enstated, but less money is now spent on our seafront.

The Aviary
Next came the aviary fiasco. Without seemingly doing any sums the Lib Dems announced its closure. Located next to a cafe and summer art gallery, it provided a popular attraction for visitors and residents alike -all mutually supporting each other. Rent paid to the Council by the art exhibitors and cafe proprietor was approximately double the cost of maintaining the aviary. Owners of both establishments agreed that closing the aviary would threaten their livelihoods. Fortunately a sponsor for the aviary was been found, but it reflected a worrying process of decision making.

Late Licensing
Then came the approval of numerous late licences for town centre bars and clubs. This may not seem unusual, but Bournemouth town centre is now considered off limits by many residents who feel threatened by the rowdy behaviour associated with late night drinking. These additions to what is called the 'night time economy' have put more strain on an already overstretched police force.

Closure of the BIC Pool
Next came one of the most unpopular and astonishing decisions of all, the closure of the BIC pool. A key wet weather facility, used by residents and visitors alike, the Lib Dems decided to close it in favour of more conference room. In the long term, this may lead to additional revenue, but sometimes commercial interests should be put in perspective with community facilities. The BIC pool was subsidised by council tax, but it was hard to find anyone (outside of Lib Dem Cabinet) who did not feel this was tax payer's money well spent.

U-Turn on the Winter Gardens
But the creme de la creme was the decision to abandon their promise to save the Winter Gardens. Many residents voted Lib Dem for the first time, purely to support this pledge. Indeed, Lib Dem candidates queued up outside the building for their photo shoots to accompany the caption 'Lib Dems will save the Winter Gardens'. One candidate went so far as to commit herself to resigning and standing in front of the bulldozers to prevent it being knocked down. Do not hold your breath for a by-election.

Confusion over the Pavilion and Pier
To accompany the confusion of the fate of the pier, two other assets in need of attention also got the run around. Confusing strategies were presented and represented over the main pier and the Pavilion. A lot of talk but little action, only the emergence of a common theme in that anything owned by the Council of value was likely to being considered for sale.

Shelley Manor
Next in line was Shelley Manor. Arguably one of the most historically significant buildings in Bournemouth, yet the Lib Dems committed not one penny of new money, or any of the council's resourses to help the local residents' group, 'The Friends of Shelley Manor' of saving this landmark building.
It has now been sold for flats apart from the theatre, at the heart of the building. But the Friends of Shelley Manor are left to raise the £2m needed convert it into a working theatre.

Development on Honeycombe Chine Car Park
Not a stone's throw away, Honeycombe Chine car park was subject to the Lib Dem's hidden agenda. Flats will now be built on the car park protruding into the promenade by 20ft. The sale of the land was supposed to fund a complete 8m upgrade of the Boscombe Pier area, but planning permission has been granted for the 169 flats (the scale of which has shocked locals and breached the original brief) without any regeneration plans. In the absence of any regeneration plans, there is every likelihood, that this money could slip away from being invested in Boscombe at all.

What is Bournemouth?
Where does all this leave Bournemouth? The impact the Lib Dems are having on our town is shocking - and all this after only one year. What plans might they have up their sleeve for the next three? Yet it is the absence of a plan which may be the cause of this un-coordinated approach.

Bournemouth should be a family resort. It should be a place for business and conferences. It should be a community with services for all residents. It should not be Benidorm and it should not be Blackpool. This can only happen with workable plan.

The last time the Lib Dems were in the Town Hall we got the IMAX. Without any evidence of a strategy - we have a worrying three years ahead.