Council Tax and the tri-council partnership were among the things on the agenda today (24/2) at the Full Meeting of West Dorset District Council.
Residents in West Dorset will continue paying one of the lowest Council Tax rates in the country after the district council’s budget was agreed. Councillors voted to increase the district council’s share of the Council Tax by a modest 1.9 per cent.
However, despite the difficult financial situation there are no current plans to increase charges for district council-run car parks in West Dorset.
West Dorset District Council is positively tackling a continuing financial squeeze as it expects to have £9 million less to run services with by 2020 than it had in 2010, due to falling funding and rising costs.
Councillor Anthony Alford, Leader of West Dorset District Council, said: “We are proud to charge one of the lowest Council Tax rates in England. Huge efforts are being made to reduce costs and protect services. We are working in partnership with other councils where we can and also reviewing how we provide services. This is a difficult time for local Government but we are meeting the tough financial situation head-on.”
The district council only keeps about eight per cent of the bill. The rest is made up of charges from Dorset County Council, Dorset Fire and Rescue, Dorset Police and town and parish councils.
Councillors also voted to enter a new Collaboration Agreement with Weymouth & Portland Borough Council and North Dorset District Council.
The agreement allows the formation of the ground-breaking tri-council partnership. It also makes Matt Prosser, who is currently Chief Executive of West Dorset District Council and Weymouth & Portland Borough Council, available to North Dorset District Council.
It is hoped the agreement will reduce costs by around £6 million across the partnership by 2020. Under the agreement Weymouth & Portland Borough Council, West Dorset District Council and North Dorset District Council will share a single workforce. Each council will remain independent, equal and have their own decision making councillors.
