Page 55 - br-apr-2021

April 2021 April 2021

entitled to a bursary of £19,833 tax free for the duration of the course. On
completing the programme, students will obtain a Post-Graduate Diploma in
Social Work, allowing them to register and practice as a social worker, and to
apply for any social worker vacancies available. Online applications are open
until 7 April. Students can expect to start the programme in January 2022 and
completing their training in March 2023.

Climate Change

Consultation on our proposals concluded on 20 January and we received over
1,500 responses. Thank you to everyone who responded. Time is now being taken
to analyse the feedback from those who completed the survey before bringing
the Strategy and Action Plan back for approval in April. As stated previously,
climate and ecological change is not the only challenge we face, so funding for
the delivery of our ambitious programme will need to be prioritised alongside the
other key funding pressures, particularly from the demands-based services like the last part of my journey. Suddenly the
social care which the council has a statutory obligation to provide. sandy beach of Jerry’s Point became
clearer and more pronounced. I was
However, I am pleased to say that we have recently secured several pots of getting there and the feeling of euphoria
funding from Government to help with our climate work. Last month we was immense.
commenced construction of a sustainable travel route in Wimborne and Colehill,
made possible from £79 million funding awarded to Dorset Council and BCP My Garmin watch told me later that my
Council as part of the Government’s Transforming Cities Fund scheme. We also swim had taken 6 hours 15 minutes but my moving time was 5 hours 8 minutes at
recently received notice that we had been successful in being awarded an average speed of 2.1 miles per hour.
£298,000 for the Low Carbon Skills Fund. In addition, we have also been offered
£18.7 million to enable major works to take place to reduce the council’s carbon Jo and Luke had paddled ashore and were there to greet me with a big hug, kiss
footprint across its buildings. This funding is really welcomed and will enable the and handshake. Emile and Gordon clapped and cheered from the boat. What a
council to start delivering its strategic climate and ecological objectives. brilliant day, what a fantastic experience. I am so proud of what Emile and I
achieved. I have told him that I am looking forward to the next challenge with me

on the boat cheering him on!
2021-22 Budget
I put a very long article in last month’s report about our proposals for Council Tax Emile’s Story - a good idea?
for the coming year. So, I would just add some general points.
“Are you ready then Bob?”
Every year budget setting has become more challenging and 2021/22 is certainly
no exception. The twin uncertainties of a one-year settlement and the serious “Yes mate, I think so.”
short to medium impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has created shortfalls in And so we immersed. 11 miles of water lay ahead of us, streaming from Wareham
funding which have had a real impact on the revenue budget and on our ability Quay to Poole Harbour entrance.
to maintain discretionary services, which are very visible and valued by our
residents. Increasing pressures in the demands-based services - Adults and My great friend and I swim regularly together all year round; winter in the pool,
Children's Social Care - has created the greatest challenge. We have a summer in the sea. Whilst enjoyable, the pool is really just a means to an end; a
balanced budget for the next council year, which depends on increasing swim! The sea however, offers us far more. Every swim is a dynamic venture;
council tax and ensuring that the transformation of services moves forward at different tides, waves, visibility, weather and of course venue. We swim mostly at
pace. Ringstead Bay but this swim was something different.

18 55