by Trevor Bevins, Local Democracy Reporting Service.
A two per cent increase is being proposed as Dorchester Town Council’s share of the Council Tax for 2026-27.
Despite pay awards running at more than double that rate and an increase in other expenses the council believes it can run services in the next financial year on a revenue budget of £1.4million, up 3 per cent on the current year.
The authority has been helped by a predicted £9,000 increase in income from its share of the business rates rise and an almost 3 per cent increase in the Council Tax Base. The budget will also see a ‘saving’ from the removal of staff costs from the market operation – their wages being budgeted in a different way from April when the market changes from Ensor to council management.
Budget changes will also take into account an additional £85,000 in repairs to the Fordington cemetery wall, following a collapse, with the repair works now underway (picture), and £4,000 to help pay for a new kite festival proposed for the Great Field in the summer.
Costs during the year for the Corn Exchange will decrease, from £384,000 to £277,700 , now that front of house works have been completed, although an extra £80,000 will be needed for repairs to the Clock Tower, £20,000 of that cost already set aside.
The council is also planning to massively increase its replacement budget for play equipment, from £1,000 to £30,000, anticipating equipment which has reached the end of it life and needs replacing together with a contribution of £9,000 for new Christmas Lights, in conjunction with Dorchester BID.
The Town Council will consider the overall budget strategy on 26 January which will also see a discussion on proposals for some increases in fees and charges, most in line with inflation.
