Dorset Council said the increase to the budget is needed as it faces increasing pressure due to the growing number of elderly people in the county who require social care support Picture: Dorset Council

Almost 5% increase to council tax proposed in Dorset

Tait ap EllisJanuary 9, 20250 Comment0

DORSET households could see their council tax rise by just under 5% from April.

Councillors will today (January 9) debate plans to increase council tax as part of its budget proposals for 2025/26.

A £416 million budget has been proposed for the coming year, which would see a £39 million increase in spending from last year and includes more funds for essential services.

For residents, this proposed increase would work out to just under a 3% increase for their council tax and a 2% increase in the adult social care precept.

A council spokesperson said this equates to an additional 24p a day for most households.

The proposed £39 million increase to the budget would see additional funding for adult social care and housing services (£14.5m), children’s services (£1.5m) and services including transport, highways and planning services (£4m).

Growing pressure of social care support

Councils are required by law to set a balanced budget with expenditure equal to revenue.

Dorset Council said the increase to the budget is needed as it faces increasing financial pressure due to the growing number of elderly people in the county who require social care support.

Projections for the cost to deliver council services next year are forecast to be £83.4m but Dorset Council has said this sum is not affordable and so has proposed a series of significant cost-saving measures equating to around £44m.

£12m is to be found from new services and grants, £14m from “managing and meeting need differently”, £3m from reducing third-party spend, and £14.4m to be saved by operating more efficiently as a council.

Slimming down of staff proposed

As well as this, the council has proposed slimming down the council with fewer staff as a way to streamline council operations.

The plans will be discussed at the joint overview committee meeting today (January 9) at 2pm.

The detailed proposals are set out in a budget and medium-term financial plan that will go before the council’s scrutiny committees next week.

Councillor Simon Clifford, cabinet member for finance and capital strategy, said the proposed budget shows the council is 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,” he said.

“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: