News

There is more disappointment on the way for Poole as it faces cutbacks in services and a significant rise in Council Tax as a result of the Government’s new funding formula for local authorities. The settlement is the single largest factor in determining Council Tax levels and funding for services in all Councils in England.

Council’s across the South have feared this year’s long awaited review of Government finance which sees them receiving even poorer financial settlements than in previous years. Poole once more finds itself amongst the lowest funded authorities, being included in the Governments ‘floor’ group of Councils, receiving over £2million less than similar authorities.

Cllr Brian Clements, Leader of the Council, said: "It is not acceptable for the Government to try and force this increase on residents and we will be working hard to find ways of reducing it before we set the tax in February. In giving Poole just a 3.9% increase in its share of funding, the Government is expecting a lot from local Council Taxpayers. More favoured authorities are to receive an 8% increase."

He added: "This settlement is, unfortunately, as bad as we expected and means once again that Poole has faired very badly. The Government still fails to recognise the needs of our community or provide its share of the funds we need. Councillors therefore have extremely tough decisions ahead over the coming months. We will be examining proposals for cutbacks across the whole of the Council and we will continue campaigning to the Government that this is just not good enough. Services right across the Council will be affected, there will be disappointments not just in struggling services such as Social Services but in all service areas."

Notes:

Government calculations are based on an Assumed National Council Tax of £1036.06 (Band D), current levels in Dorset are: