AS the crucial budget approaches Poole’s council leader has been lobbying government for a better deal for the third lowest funded unitary authority in England.

Borough of Poole council leader, Cllr Elaine Atkinson has written to MPs, taken part in a telephone conference call and set out her case before Stephen Williams, Under Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government.

“I feel I have made the best case I have ever made in Poole for a fair deal,” said Cllr Atkinson.

Armed with a volley of statistics, she demonstrated that Poole has a high proportion of older people with over 65s making up 21.6 per cent of the population, compared to 17.93 per cent in Bournemouth and 26.95 per cent in Dorset.

The over 85s account for 3.41 per cent of the population, compared to 3.23 per cent in Bournemouth, while the under fives are just under five per cent. In the whole of Dorset the proportion of over 85s is just over 11 per cent.

“I feel they are the figures that really make a difference where we are poorly funded. A significant sum of our money is being spent on these people over 65,” she said.

On top of that average pay in Poole is the lowest among the bottom funded 10, average private rented property is fifth and the average cost of buying a home is £225,000, compared to £180,000 in Bourne-mouth.

Of Bournemouth she said: “I am not saying they are well funded but they have more funding.” She added: “If we were funded at the same level as Bournemouth, we would receive next year nearly £11million more.”

She said Poole kept 25.49 per cent of the business rate levy while Bournemouth pocketed 42.46 per cent.

“If we were funded at the same level as Bournemouth in being able to keep that business rate we would keep another £10m.”

However, there was some good news in that Poole has just received an extra £300,000 to work with the hospital and the community to reduce any delayed hospital discharges.

‘Not knocking them’

Comparing Poole’s grants and income with Bournemouth, she stressed that she was not “knocking” the neighbouring authority. However, the government’s funding, “Just doesn’t feel very fair.” She pointed out the inequality of Bournemouth being able to set up a bank, buy the Imax site and put money into the air and wheels festivals, while Poole was unable to make a contribution to the European Maritime Day it was holding in 2017.

Poole was the first port in the UK to hold the prestigious event but, “We can’t afford to put a penny into it,” she said.