Dorset councillors welcome autumn budget but seek more aid

SENIOR Dorset councillors have broadly welcomed the autumn budget – although would welcome more financial support for the county.

Senior Dorset councillors have broadly welcomed the autumn budget – although would welcome more financial support for the county.

Said Dorset Council’s cabinet member for finance and resources Simon Clifford (Lib Dem): “ I welcome elements of the budget but note it does nothing to provide fair funding for Dorset Council. Other northern councils benefit from huge government grants – Dorset gets little. This means councils in Labour heartlands are able to freeze or lower council tax bills but here in Dorset we have no choice but to raise those bills to pay for essential services like keeping our elderly residents and vulnerable children safe, investing in roads and working to provide economic growth and jobs.

“I do note the announcement on devolution which could see hundreds of millions of pounds of spending move from central government control to provide vital investment in roads, rail, transport, building projects and jobs across the South West. I welcome anything that moves spending away from London closer to our own communities.”

“I also support the steps the Chancellor announced to combat the cost of living for our residents, including helping with heating bills and in particular the longer-term funding to help the homeless. This matters in Dorset.

“It is also welcome that the Chancellor announced investment in defence, and Dorset Council is working hard to ensure much of that funding comes to industries based in our county.”

Cabinet member for housing and health Cllr Gill Taylor said she was pleased about measures to help the homeless, announced in the Chancellor’s statement:

“I’m very happy to welcome the steps the Chancellor announced today particularly the longer term funding to bring homeless people off the streets. We have a real problem with rough sleepers across Dorset and this funding will enable us to help more people for longer and help those in need turn their lives around.

“I also very much welcome the announcements on affordable and council housing – Dorset has a huge need for housing people can afford and it is about time government recognised that and took steps.”