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29 Nov 99

BOROUGH OF POOLE - STANDARD SPENDING ASSESSMENT

Following the Government's announcement on the Standard Spending Assessment, the Borough of Poole is disappointed with the level of funding the Government has awarded.
Hilary Armstrong announced an average increase in funding for Local Government of 5.5%. Poole will receive only 2.6%.

Cllr Brian Clements, Chairman of the Policy and Resources Committee, said: "The Government are short-changing Poole on every service we provide. The funding for Education still means that Poole is 8th lowest funded Local Education Authority in the country and will mean increased pressure on our schools. The allowance for Social Services is nowhere near enough to meet the care needs of our vulnerable children and elderly if we are to continue the high quality services we currently provide. No increase what so ever has been provided for highways".

He added: "Budgets for each of the services we provide have been carefully scrutinised. In order to meet the Government's growing demands and the needs of local people, more funding is necessary. Those needs have been agreed by all the political parties. If we were to meet all the demands which have been identified, Poole would face a difficult 10-15% rise in Council Tax. To reduce this, we will look at every possibility of challenging the Government's figures and will re-examine all of our budgets before a final decision on Council Tax is made in February 2000. We are acutely aware of the impact of Council Tax rises on local people but I cannot see us being able to retain our position with the lowest Council Tax in Dorset after this settlement".

Cllr Annette Brooke, Chairman of the Education Committee, said: "Currently we are not funded well enough to provide the 'basics'. This means that in order to meet the increasing number of Government requirements and new initiatives, money has to be taken from our existing inadequately financed services. New Government commitments such as the Youth Offending team require extra money and will have to be financed from existing Education and Social services budgets which are already under great pressure".

The impact of the budget settlement on the Council's services will be considered at Policy and Resources Committee on 14 December 1999.

-ends-
Editor's Notes:
Youth Offending Teams are part of a Government's strategy to reduce youth offending which brings together staff from Social Services, Education, Health, Police, Probation and voluntary organisations.

bob jackson - tel. 01202 633105