South Dorset MP calls for fairer distribution of Revenue Support Grant

South Dorset MP Richard Drax has raised concerns for 'unfair distribution' of the RS in the House of Commons amid fears the county is missing out.

RS is a central Government grant given to local authorities which can be used to finance revenue expenditure on any service.

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Mr Drax spoke at a Parliamentary debate and raised concerns the Dorset Council area has received no RS, compared to other unitary councils, which have received funding - including Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (£3,005,000).

Mr Drax said: "Our income is 85 per cent from Dorset taxpayers, versus 67 per cent on average for other unitary councils.

"Dorset sets one of the highest council taxes in the country, and the unfair proportion of it lands on the Dorset council tax payers with precept rises in various areas of tax.

"The business retention rate is 14 per cent for Dorset and 24 per cent on average for other unitary councils. The revenue support grant is zero."

The last RS the county received was in the 2018/19, which was only £490,000.

Mr Drax added: "I know the Government want to go further with other authorities, and we cannot be seen to fail.

"So much has been done and so much money has been saved and cut that statutory services are under huge pressure.

"The unfair distribution of the revenue support grant means that we get none.

"The business retention rate is lower in Dorset than elsewhere, and the rural authority has additional costs that are not accounted for.

"That's where the funding formula needs to change.

"We also have an accumulated debt of £70 million on the high-needs block for children with special educational needs.

"The Department for Education’s support is needed to eliminate that debt.

"For example, one child I know is costing the council £1.5 million to get the care that they need, but that care has to be provided from outside the county and that is costing Dorset Council vast sums of money.

"Next year’s budget proposals include a three per cent increase in council tax and an almost one per cent increase for the social care precept.

"That means that for adult social care there is a 10 per cent increase of £13 million to £141 million.

"For children’s services, there is a four per cent increase of £2.7 million to £74.5 million—mainly for children in care and for disabled and SEN children.

"On climate and ecological emergency response, £10 million in capital investment has been put aside over the next five years.

"Finally, £750,000 will go to support new homes under the registered provider scheme."

The South Dorset MP has confirmed a meeting has been organised, along with West Dorset MP Chris Loder, to speak to the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Michael Gove.