News

Poole Councillors, at their Executive meeting on 17 December, discussed the difficult days ahead in light of the Government’s budget announcements.

As one of the lowest funded and lowest spending Unitary Authorities in the country, the Borough is under serious pressure to provide increasing levels of service demanded by local people.

Councillor Brian Clements, Leader of the Council, said: "Something has got to give. The Government is simply not providing us with enough money to meet the demands which Poole residents rightly have. We are grateful for the increase in funding for education, however, many other services will be struggling to maintain standards under this settlement. We have issues to address and difficult decisions ahead, some serious soul searching work will have to be done over these next few months."

This year’s settlement gives Poole the lowest spending assessment per person in the whole of the South West, which is the lowest funded region in the country, with Poole residents receiving £100 less per head in Government funding than those in Bournemouth.

Councillor Brian Clements added: "We all want to see better services and we are committed to listening to local people and giving them what they want. It is our duty to communicate with the public and we are extremely pleased with the results of this year’s consultation. People in Poole were given the chance to choose how £100,000 should be spent and it was a difficult choice! Now it’s our turn to ensure that we make the right decisions for them."

This year’s consultation by the Council was the most extensive yet. People’s views were in line with the Council’s key priorities and although many comments were about improving services, some expressed a view that Council Tax should not be raised.

The Borough of Poole’s Executive will meet in the New Year to examine each area of Council services and budget as follows:

As part of the Council’s extensive consultation programme local residents were challenged to choose one of six options and decide where £100,000 should be spent in addition to the range of services it already provides:

Option 1 - Major Wash & Brush Up of the Town Centre and Quay

Option 2 - Independent Disability Forum

Option 3 - Fire Alarms for Elderly People

Option 4 - Youth Bus Project

Option 5 - Area Committees

Option 6 - Computers for Young People in Foster Care

Over 1000 people took part and almost 50% chose Option 1 - A Major Wash & Brush Up of the Town Centre and Quay.