FAQs

We are on target for a £8.5 million surplus in this financial year (22/23) which is helping us with the work we are doing now to prioritise budget proposals for next year (23/24). 

Just as households and businesses are budgeting for an uncertain future due to the cost-of-living crisis so too is the council.  We are taking a proactive approach to manage these unprecedented financial challenges by tackling this head on so that we get the best for our residents and businesses. 

The council spends around £750 million annually, which after taking account of government grants etc. is a net budget of £320m helping to look after local neighbourhoods and improving the lives of those who rely on us to be there when it matters.  From providing life changing support for older people, people with disabilities and children who need care, to bin collections, fixing potholes, cutting the grass and sweeping up rubbish, supporting local businesses, helping create jobs, and many more services.

The majority comes from council tax, with the rest from business rates, reserves and government grants.  You can see a full breakdown in our information document here.

More than 63% of the council’s net budget goes towards meeting the needs of our most vulnerable residents and children. That means children at risk, adults with disabilities and older people with care needs, the homeless or those facing homelessness.  You can see the breakdown of how the council currently spends its money here. 

We have forecast the cost-of-living crisis will add an extra £55 million to the cost of running services this year and next.  This is affecting fuel prices, food and energy, which means it’s costing more to fuel our bin lorries, streetlights, and the resources that keep our most vulnerable adults and children safe. 

We are tackling the financial challenges head-on, which means preparing for changes even if we don’t need to make them, and that involves us talking to people now about how we could deliver services in a different way.  But we cannot do this alone and it’s important we work together with the people who use our services – that’s you.

Barely a day goes by without news of the challenges councils around the country are facing, with some looking to cut council services.  We are tackling this head-on by exploring ways to deliver services differently with communities and other stakeholders.

As we look at options to protect our most important services, we are exploring how we can deliver services differently, working more strongly with local communities.  This is already working well in some areas of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole and we want to do more. 

Communities approach us all the time wanting to take advantage of the positive strengths that already exist within our local neighbourhoods.  We want to enable people to do more and help each other to manage these difficult times.   

For example, you might be a community group interested in running a community building as a hub for sports and leisure, managing some open space in your local area, or hosting an event for children, young people and families. We want to work with you to make your projects and ideas, and many more, a reality.

We’ve already achieved £47.9 million in annual savings and efficiencies made by bringing the three councils into one authority and from the start of our transformation programme, and we know there are more savings to be made as we transform into the modern and efficient council that we plan to be.    

We’ve interrogated our spending plans, paused recruitment where possible and we plan to reduce the number of agency workers.   

We are looking at ways to generate additional income through some of our commercial services and where people choose to pay for things, such as our cafes and entertainment venues, beach huts, garden waste and other services.  We are also lobbying central government for greater power in setting fees for things like parking fines. 

The council’s annual budget setting is due to take place in February 2023.  As part of the decision-making process the council’s proposed budget and details will be made public.