Thursday, 01 September 2016 13:38

Do you want Dorset councils to change?

A major consultation has been launched on important proposals to reshape Dorset's councils. All Dorset councils are jointly considering proposals to reduce the number of local authorities in the county from nine to two. Dorset’s nine councils currently spend £920 million a year delivering services (based on 2015/16). This year the amount of money the Government passed on to Dorset’s councils to run services was £51.9million. That’s £142 million less received in Government funding today than in 2010/11. Despite your councils becoming more efficient, the reality is that they have less money to spend on local services. Dorset’s councils now think it is time to look at a more cost-effective approach for the future. It is now essential that change is considered in order to minimise cuts to services beyond 2019/20, and to ensure councils are sustainable for the future.

Have Your Say - Take The Survey

This reform could:

protect frontline services
reduce costs and give better value for money
focus on people and areas by making council structures more simple
continue to make councils accountable to local people
stimulate jobs and promote prosperity

If you live anywhere in Poole, Bournemouth and Dorset, your council, local services and the amount of council tax you pay could be affected by the proposals. The council want to hear from you before any decisions are made. Take a look at the options, ask questions and then complete the online survey before 25 October 2016.

The options being considered by Dorset’s councils are:

1. Retaining all nine councils

2a. Large conurbation (covering Bournemouth, Poole, Christchurch and East Dorset and Small Dorset (North Dorset, Purbeck, West Dorset and Weymouth & Portland)

2b. Medium conurbation (Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch) and Medium Dorset (East Dorset, North Dorset, Purbeck, West Dorset and Weymouth & Portland)

2c. Small conurbation (Bournemouth and Poole) and Large Dorset (Christchurch, East Dorset, North Dorset, Purbeck, West Dorset and Weymouth & Portland)

They are holding a series of roadshows across Poole where you can ask questions and find out more about the proposals. Dates and venues of roadshows across Dorset