Why the community will still be better off

The range of services delivered by local authorities across the country is broadly similar and costs on average £ 150 to provide.

Thanks to Government intervention and a large subsidy from capital assets, North Dorset residents are only paying £ 92.40 for services broadly worth £ 150. This cannot go on and all nonstatutory services will in future have to be paid for with new money via Town and Parish precepts BUT:

• The scope of these services will be decided by the Community against local needs

• Delivery will be organised via the Market Towns giving the Community greater control

• Real costs of service provision will be more transparent and overheads will be lower

• Advantage can be taken of charitable status to avoid certain costs

• Without capping, the Community might already be paying £ 150 for services from NDDC which could cost considerably less overall when delivered in part via Gillingham Town Council.