Councillor Mike Brooke to stand down from Council in May 2023

Mike's time as a councillor began when he stood to replace his wife Dame Annette Brooke after she had been elected to Parliament.

Mike is a well known figure in Broadstone, and many residents will have their own stories of how he or Annette helped them with council related issues. He successfully campaigned to protect the Crematorium roundabout from being replaced by traffic lights and his interest in planning issues led to his work with Broadstone Neighbourhood Forum and the adoption of the Broadstone Neighbourhood Plan in 2018 which has helped preserve our green spaces.

In his time with both Borough of Poole and BCP Council he has been a member of numerous committees including Children’s Services and Audit and Governance. He strongly opposed the merger of Poole Council with Bournemouth and Christchurch Councils and has been an outspoken critic of BCP Council’s current Conservative administration’s cavalier and “dodgy” decisions. 

Mike was leader of the Lib Dem Group on Poole Council for several years and in May he was elected to the position of Sheriff of Poole. He is also Shadow Portfolio holder for Planning and Economic Development. 

Commenting on his decision to retire Mike said: “It has been a privilege to serve Broadstone’s residents throughout my time as a councillor and would like to say ‘thank-you’ to them for their support. I have lost count of all the casework that has passed through my hands, but the wide variety of issues has widened both my experience and understanding of a councillor’s responsibilities. I intend to continue my involvement in the community, health permitting, so I won’t disappear entirely.”

His colleague, Cllr Vikki Slade added: 'Mike has been an incredible councillor, colleague and friend since I became involved with the Lib Dems over twenty years ago.  He knows every inch of Broadstone and has incredible compassion in his dealings with residents’ issues along with a fantastic understanding of council operations and will be missed by us all.’

Local resident Peter Sidaway who has been organising Broadstone Musical Markets and is part of the Summer Fun Day committee has been selected by local Lib Dem members to stand alongside Vikki at the BCP Elections in May.