Dorset Council Launches Online Budget Simulator To Show Spending Pressures

Dorset Council is asking residents to test their budgeting skills through a new online simulator that reveals the financial pressures facing the authority. The interactive tool lets people allocate spending and see the consequences of their choices, from adult social care to road repairs.

Councillor Simon Clifford, Cabinet Member for Finance, said it’s designed to show just how complex setting a balanced budget can be. ‘This is a chance to show people how much the council does for them that they perhaps don’t realise,’ said Simon. ‘We have a legal duty to balance the books, but it’s extremely difficult when we’re a very elderly county and demand for care is increasing.’

He said the simulator simplifies the process, grouping around 450 council services into broader categories. ‘It’s not perfect,’ Simon explained. ‘But it gives people a feel for what happens if you move funding around. You can see, for instance, that two-thirds of council tax goes on social care — looking after elderly, disabled and vulnerable residents.’

Simon admitted the wording of the tool’s pop-up messages had to be softened. ‘It’s been used across the country and we’ve moderated the language so it’s fairer,’ he said. ‘If you cut statutory services too far, the council risks breaking the law. But if you’re generous, you’ll simply run out of money.’

He dismissed the idea that the simulator is preparing the ground for a referendum on higher taxes. ‘There’s no chance we’ll ask residents to vote for an increase,’ he said. ‘We’ll raise council tax by the maximum allowed - 4.99% including the social care precept - but that still doesn’t raise huge sums.’

A local Conservative Party official Alfred spoke with today criticised the project as a gimmick, but Simon defended it as an attempt to engage residents. ‘People don’t really know what we do or how hard it is to balance social care against potholes or libraries,’ he said. ‘It’s about helping them understand and giving us feedback on their priorities.’

He added that creating the simulator cost less than £5,000. ‘It’s absolute beans in the context of a £450 million budget,’ Simon said. ‘If it helps people grasp where their money goes, it’s worth it.’

Residents can use the simulator until 2 December at simulator.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk or via the main Dorset Council website.