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News

Services to be disrupted in Poole on 28 March

Services such as the lifting of the Poole Bridge will be disrupted due to a national one day strike across the UK on Tuesday 28 March.

The dispute by Unions is in protest to proposed changes to pension arrangements for Local Authority workers.  The Unions have agreed a number of exemptions to many services, particularly those dealing with vulnerable people. However a number of council services will be disrupted and delays could occur with others due to reduced numbers of staff working.

Council Leader, Councillor Brian Leverett, said: “Whilst the pension dispute is a national one, Poole values its employees and wants to treat them fairly and remain a good employer.  Elected members recognise the need for changes to the pension scheme, taking account of demographic changes and the cost of the scheme.  Members are concerned that any changes to proposed regulations do not impact adversely on the level of Council tax that tax payers in Poole will need to pay.”

Colin Hague, Head of Personnel and Training, said: “The Council is concerned to maintain a sustainable, affordable and viable final salary pension scheme.  Although pension regulations are determined by the Office for the Deputy Prime Minister we are affected by this national dispute.  The current Council contribution to the Local Government Pension Scheme for this financial year is £7.8m which increased from £6.9m for 2003/04.  For the pension scheme to remain viable some changes to pension arrangements are necessary.  We hope that the ODPM, national negotiators and national trade union representatives will seek to resolve this dispute to minimise the national dispute impacting on local services in Poole.”

The following services will be disrupted:

·         Poole’s lifting bridge will be closed and left in the ‘up’ position from midnight on Monday 27 March until midnight on Tuesday 28 March.  Diversions will be in place and drivers are advised to use alternative routes via Hamworthy and Holes Bay.  No ferry will be operating for pedestrians. Wilts and Dorset are providing double decker buses on the 94 Route every 15 minutes.

·         Refuse and recycling collections will be suspended for the day.  Residents who miss their refuse collection will have theirs collected the following week.  Recycling will be collected in a fortnight.   Nuffield Waste Recycling Centre will be closed.

·         Schools - Rossmore Community (except for Year 11), Carter Community (except for Year 11), Courthill First, Manorside Combined and Turlin Moor Community Middle School will be closed. Sylvan First's reception class will also be closed.

·         Parkstone Library, Canford Heath Library and Branksome Library will be closed.  The Central Library will open with skeleton staffing. All other libraries and the mobile library will be open as normal.