MPs could be asked to help secure better funding for Dorset

While the Government has pledged ‘levelling up’ for northern constituencies Dorset councillors claim the county has been neglected for decades – receiving little financial help, forcing council tax rates up to maintain key services.

Dorset remains one of the most expensive places in the country to live for council tax charges, many homes paying double the rate of some expensive London boroughs.

Conservative council leader Spencer Flower told a full council meeting on Tuesday he would continue to lobby for a better deal for Dorset and hopes to meet with local government minister Michael Gove in the New Year to press the case.

Sherborne Lib Dem councillor Robin Legg told the meeting: “This is a situation which has persisted for decades. We have suffered many years with persistent underfunding…we just don’t seem to have broken through.”

He suggested that the council ought to team up with other under-funded areas to collectively lobby for a better deal.

Wimborne’s Shane Bartlett called for the county’s MPs be invited to a web meeting with councillors so that each could explain just what they had been doing to champion the cause for a better financial deal for their constituents. He said, like councillors, they were also the servants of the people and should be called to account.

Green councillor Dr Jon Orrell told the meeting that one of the key areas which need Government help was health and social care. He said that although the Government was increasing national insurance to raise an extra £1.7billlion the British Medical Journal had estimated that £7.6billion was needed.

The council’s only Labour member, Paul Kimber from Portland, suggested also lobbying opposition shadow ministers.

Council leader Spencer Flower said he would consider all of the option to improve funding for the county: “We have seen a decade where finance has been sucked away from Dorset – we need more money from the Government, there’s no doubt about that,” he said.