Dorset Council has set out proposals for a £416 million budget for 2025/26.
This marks a £39 million increase in spending from last year, injecting much needed funding into essential services for residents, especially vulnerable children and adults.
Additional funding includes:
- £14.5 million for adult social care and housing services
- £1.5 million for children’s services, and
- £4 million for Place services including transport, highways and planning services.
Councils are required by law to set a balanced budget with expenditure equal to revenue. Dorset Council faces rising pressures on services, for example with the growing number of older people in Dorset who need social care support. The additional cost of service delivery next year is forecast to be £83.4 million. Yet council funding is set and limited by Government and this sum is not affordable.
The council’s budget proposals therefore also outline significant cost-saving measures of around £44 million to be delivered in the following ways:
- new service grants and income – £12 million
- managing and meeting need differently – £14 million
- reducing 3rd party spend – £3 million
- and operating more efficiently as a council – £14.4 million
The council has developed a transformation plan to streamline council operations including increased use of technology, better customer service, working more closely with communities, and lower operating costs. Over the coming years, these changes will result in a slimmer council with fewer staff. The transformation plans will be discussed at Joint Overview committee on Thursday 9 January.
The detailed proposals are set out in a budget and medium-term financial plan which will go before the council’s scrutiny committees next week.
To support these initiatives, the council proposes a council tax increase of just under 3 per cent and a 2 per cent adult social care precept. This equates to an additional 24p a day for most households. Details will be available with council tax bills in March and online after the budget is approved at Full Council on 11 February.
Cllr Simon Clifford, Cabinet member for Finance and Capital Strategy, said:
“We are making substantial investments in essential services. Since taking leadership of the council last May, we’ve prioritised housing, economic growth, supporting communities, and addressing the climate and nature crisis.
“It continues to be a tough financial climate for councils with inflation, the new requirement to pay higher employee National Insurance costs, and the ever-increasing need for social care services, particularly with our growing older population in Dorset.
“Despite these national financial challenges, we are making tough decisions to secure a strong financial future for Dorset Council and deliver the services our residents need most.”
The budget setting process takes place in several stages. The proposals are considered by two scrutiny committees, then reviewed and submitted to Cabinet, and then to Full Council in February for final approval. The public meetings are as follows:
2pm, Thursday 9 January – Joint Overview committee
10am, Thursday 16 January – People and Health Scrutiny Committee
2pm, Friday 17 January – Place and Resources Scrutiny Committee
6:30pm, Tuesday 28 January – Cabinet
6:30pm, Tuesday 11 February – Full Council
These committee meetings can be viewed online and in person. View the calendar and joining details on our website at dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/councillors-committees-elections/councillors-committees-and-elections
