Bournemouth (borough)
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| Borough of Bournemouth | |
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| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Status: | Unitary, Borough |
| Region: | South West England |
| Admin. County: | Dorset |
| Area: Total: |
Ranked 305th 46.18 km² |
| Admin. HQ: | Bournemouth |
| ONS code: | 00HN |
| Demographics | |
| Population: Total (2006 est.): Density: |
Ranked 99th 161,200 3491 / km² |
| Ethnicity: | 96.7% White |
| Politics | |
 Bournemouth Borough Council http://www.bournemouth.gov.uk/ |
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| Leadership: | Leader & Cabinet |
| Executive: | Conservative |
| Mayor: | Stephen Chappell |
| MPs: | John Butterfill, Tobias Ellwood |
The Borough of Bournemouth has been a unitary authority in South East Dorset since 1 April 1997. It is named after Bournemouth, the town it serves. Between 1974 and 1997 it was an administrative district in the shire county of Dorset.[1]
The Borough can trace its history back to 27 August 1890 when the Municipal Borough of Bournemouth was created by Royal Charter. On 1 April 1900 it received County Borough status which lasted until 1974.[1]
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[edit] Government and politics
The borough is administered by Bournemouth Borough Council.
[edit] Wards
The Council has 18 wards covering the borough.
- Boscombe East
- Boscombe West
- Central
- East Cliff & Springbourne
- East Southbourne & Tuckton
- Kinson North
- Kinson South
- Littledown & Iford
- Moordown
- Queen's Park
- Redhill & Northbourne
- Strouden Park
- Talbot & Branksome Woods
- Throop & Muscliff
- Wallisdown & Winton West
- West Southbourne
- Westbourne & Westcliff
- Winton East
[edit] Composition
The Council consists of 54 elected members, 3 from each of the 18 wards. Prior to 2003 there were 19 wards (57 members). Elections take place every four years where all seats are contested.
The current Council is composed as follows:
| Party | Councillors | |
| Conservative | 40 | |
| Liberal Democrat | 7 | |
| Independent | 4 | |
| Labour | 3 | |
| Total | 54 | |
The whole Council will be up for election in 2011.
[edit] Coat of Arms
The Bournemouth Arms were granted as long ago as 24 March 1891, and while most people merely cast a cursory glance at the design, it is worth a while to study it more closely, because each intricate part has a very important metaphorical significance. The Helmet, sometimes called the Helm, is mounted above the shield as a reminder that knights wore such a helmet in battle to protect themselves.
The Crest is part of the Coat of Arms which was originally worn on top of the Helm as a means of recognition in battle. Bournemouth's crest consists of four English Roses surmounted by a Pine Tree, befitting indeed for a town which boasts such award-winning gardens and parks. The town's motto, "Pulchritudo et Salubritas", is printed on an ornamental scroll at the base of the arms, the Latin words reminding all that Bournemouth is both "beautiful and healthy".
The main part of the Coat of Arms is the Shield. In the time of chivalrous Knights, this was, of course, held in the hand and used as protection to the body in battle. Bournemouth's shield, in both design and colour, is based on the Royal Arms of King Edward the Confessor, in whose Royal estate the area now known as "Bournemouth" was situated. The four salmon represent those to be found in the River Stour, which marks the boundary between Christchurch and Bournemouth.
Each of the lions on Bournemouth's crest holds a rose between its paws. What look like six birds, are in fact Martlets. They have no legs and exist only in heraldry - not in the real world of nature. The nearest similar actual bird, as regards the name, is the Sand Martin. The Roses, four above the headband supporting the crest, and two held by the lions, are first and foremost a Royal Emblem of England, and secondly a reminder that Bournemouth used to be in the County of Southampton, more generally called Hampshire. The attitude of the lions is said to denote watchfulness and readiness for defence in the event of an attack along the sea coast close to the town.
It is perhaps a little ironic, that a resort with such a short history, should have a Coat of Arms reflecting times and attitudes predominant long before it existed, but the irony is balanced because the age of courtesy and spirit reflected in the Arms, appositely illustrates the chivalry and the charm of the people and the town of Bournemouth.
[edit] Twin Towns
The Borough of Bournemouth is twinned with the following Towns:
Lucerne, Switzerland (1981).
Netanya, Israel.
[edit] References
- ^ a b Bournemouth Borough Council. History of the Council. Retrieved on 2007-04-20.
[edit] See also
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