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6 Dec 05Poole Funding Settlement - Apr 2006 - Mar 2007
Tough budget decisions lie ahead as the Government announces Poole is to get one of the lowest Government Grants for Unitary Authorities.
The announcement identifies £22.86m that the Government is prepared to contribute to providing services (excluding schools) in Poole in the next financial year. This is an increase of £0.495m.
Cllr Brian Leverett, Leader of the Council, said: "We are still working out the detail of this complicated settlement but what is obvious is that the settlement Poole has received is completely inadequate for what is needed to deliver improvements to services.
"Our percentage increase puts us in the lowest band in the country for Unitary Authorities. Furthermore, the people of Poole will receive one of the lowest increases of any Unitary Authority in the country.
"In order to contain any increase to Council Tax the Council will have to make both efficiencies and savings that could ultimately impact on service delivery in some areas. I am concerned that whilst the Government is giving us an increase of only £0.495m for services other than schools, they are happy that the Council Tax payers of Poole can still contribute over five times this amount."
Rachael Mills, Media Relations Manager, Communications, Borough of Poole tel 01202 633295
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