A Liberal Democrat-controlled council in Dorset has sparked fury among local residents after declaring it lacks the funds to stage an Armed Forces Day celebration this June.
Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole Council confirmed it will not be organising an official event for the annual commemoration on June 27, citing available resources must be directed towards “essential services”.
The announcement has drawn sharp criticism from locals who argue the authority’s spending priorities are fundamentally misguided.
Critics highlighted “contradictory” financial decisions, noting the council recently approved one of the country’s steepest council tax increases at 6.74 per cent.
Further stoking public anger is the authority’s decision last year to appoint a new chief executive on a whopping annual salary of £205,000.
The council is also jointly investing £120million alongside Dorset Council to construct nearly 50 miles of new cycling infrastructure across the region.
These substantial expenditures sit uncomfortably alongside claims that no money exists for the event, critics have said.
This marks the second consecutive year the council has faced backlash over military commemorations, having previously declined to fund celebrations marking VE Day’s 80th anniversary in Poole.
Armed Forces Day takes place every year on the last Saturday of June | GETTY
Voicing their discontent on social media, many residents argued current global tensions surrounding the Iran war make demonstrating support for military personnel more crucial than ever.
Army veteran Lee Pollitt suggested a form of protest.
“I suppose if all us veterans got together for a march and call it a protest they would have no way to object,” he said.
“I guess a march against BCP’s treatment of the Armed Forces would be a good cause”.
Resident David Cartmale also expressed disappointment at the council’s stance, saying: “There have, of course, to be priorities, but in the current world climate I would have thought this should have been supported”.
Tim Newham also said: “Don’t worry, council tax is going up by over six per cent – so there will be plenty available for next year’s one”.
The Ministry of Defence has made grants available for Armed Forces Day events, with organisations able to apply for up to £10,000 depending on the scale and nature of their planned celebrations.
BCP Council was formed in 2019 by the merger of three coastal authorities
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BCP COUNCIL
These grants operate on a match-funded basis and are disbursed after the event upon verification of receipts and expenditure.
Councillor Richard Herrett, cabinet member for destination, leisure and commercial operations, defended the council’s position.
He said: “We have recently taken our budget for the next financial year through full council, and at this stage we do not have any funds allocated for Armed Forces Day to support a match-funded bid”.
Mr Herrett added that the authority’s budget remains focused on protecting services for vulnerable communities, though the council would assist any external organisation wishing to stage an event on BCP land.