Councillors approved Dorset Council’s budget and agreed our priorities for 2020/21 at last night’s Full Council meeting (18 Feb).
They decided to increase council tax by just under 4% to help fund the rising cost of adult social care and children’s services, protecting the most vulnerable people in society. The increase also protects ‘discretionary’ services which are services a council can choose to provide but does not have to, such as country parks, school crossing patrols and weed clearing. Our councillors are keen to avoid any cuts to services for residents.
Here’s a clip of our Leader, Cllr Spencer Flower, after the Full Council meeting:
Last month, we published an article to explain why we were proposing a council tax increase
Our council plan
At the meeting, councillors also approved the council plan, which sets out our aspirations and priorities for the next four years. Our priorities are:
- Economic growth
- Unique environment
- Staying, safe and well
- Strong, healthy communities
- Suitable housing
Our commitment to tackle climate change and reduce our carbon footprint cuts across all of these areas and is very much a priority for Dorset Council. Read more about our work on this issue.
Our overall goal is to make Dorset a great place to live, work and visit. Take a look at our plan.
Where is education? For the long-term good of our society, surely, this has to be a priority. Yes, I know, there are no votes in it. Sadly, the customers for education, the students, have no franchise, no say, in what is served up to them. But we have a duty to them. This is as important as climate change, and certainly more important than looking after old people like me!
Hi Mr Goodliffe. We have taken our education funding out of this budget for clarity, as we receive funding from central government in the form of a grant specifically for schools.
Thanks
Alex
Although commendable to support these valuable services for the vulnerable, it’s a double edge sword, because has a renowned supporter to these services we provide it attracts more people to the county who require these services and therefore the burden increases on the Dorset residents. Whilst less desirable counties receive the same funding for less incumbents. You can’t keep draining one of the lowest paid areas / counties in England. My pay here in Dorset is 25% lower than my counterpart in the Midlands and my cost of living is 11% higher, a net difference of 36%. When will you understand, the salary doesn’t match the cost of living and the council is not in touch with reality.