DORSET Council leader Spencer Flower says the authority needs to find a balance between tackling climate change and what it asks residents to pay in council tax.

His response to an Extinction Rebellion question says that while the climate work is important it is only one of the council’s concerns.

The others, he says, includes social services budgets which have seen growing demand.

“Pouring all our limited resources into mitigating climate change will not single-handedly solve what is a global crisis, but failure to address local concerns will most certainly result in our taxpayers suffering a drop in the quality of our services, many of which are vital to our residents. It’s a question of balancing the immediate needs of our residents while playing our part in helping prevent future climate and ecological disaster.

“It is essential that our focus is on economic growth, as our future finances remain the biggest challenge this council is facing over the coming years. If we are to be ambitious in our plans to tackle climate change, this county will need huge financial investment in green initiatives, programmes and asset transformation. Our strategy is to work closely with communities, businesses and other partners to develop a strong low carbon economy in Dorset, building on our track record as one of the “greenest” counties in the country.”

The question, from Julie-Ann Booker, asked why the council’s four-year draft corporate plan was not set in the context of a climate and ecological emergency and had a focus on continuing economic growth.

Ms Booker said climate change appeared to be an ‘also ran’ or side issue in the council’s plan process.

“We appreciate that the council is facing a lot of challenges. Particularly the need to meet statutory responsibilities within children and adult services. However it is these vulnerable groups that will be hit the hardest if the climate and ecological emergency is not addressed,” she said.

“Will Dorset Council honour the climate and ecological declaration it has made, taking all actions possible to prevent the crises, giving leadership and direction to our community in its corporate plan, or will Dorset Council continue to pretend that ‘business as usual’ is somehow an acceptable response?”

Cllr Flower said the Dorset Council Plan, which is in draft form, remained open for consultation, but accepted that the council’s strategic direction for tackling climate change needs a clearer definition and said it would be looked at in the New Year.

“The concerns outlined in this question have been echoed by some other people, including some councillors, and we will take these views into account when analysing the results and finalising the plan. In the meantime, I encourage everyone who has not yet commented on the plan to find the survey online and let us know your thoughts as soon as possible,” said Cllr Flower.