Call for PM visit as rural funding labelled unfair

Andy Burnham is being challenged to come to Dorset to see where the county is thriving and also struggling.

Lib Dem councillor Simon Clifford said Dorset Council did not get "fair funding from government", adding the local authority would be "robust" with the new prime minister, urging him look again at how much rural areas receive.

The portfolio holder for finance urged him to "visit, see, and invest in Dorset" and "understand the potential" in its people and industry.

Discussing the council's annual report at a cabinet meeting, Clifford said it was not right resources were "pooled into the big devolved city councils at the expense of rural areas". The Cabinet Office has been asked to comment.

"We face just as big pressures like poor transport, elderly populations and a low wage seasonal economy," Clifford said.

He told the meeting Dorset could be turbo-charged and put on the world stage if it saw investment that equalled the £2.2bn grant awarded to Manchester's tram system under Burnham's mayorship there.

He also highlighted how far £60m, the equivalent of funding awarded for a Metro stop in Manchester under the former city mayor's Good Growth Fund, could go in Dorset.

Adding: "I know it's not fair comparison, [but] we could link up every market town five days a week with a regular buses to help people get to work, shops and health appointments."

Extending a written invitation from the council's leader, Clifford said: "Andy Burnham, come to Dorset, and be blown away by our ambition and success, and be part of making the dream possible."

The Chickerell councillor also noted his disappointment at a missed opportunity for a Number 10 South West.

Clifford was one of a number of cabinet members who lined up to sing the praises of their staff and departments at the council's cabinet meeting on Tuesday.

Discussing the council's finances, Clifford added: "It's a tough time for all organisations, public, charitable, voluntary, a really tough time for everyone, but we have delivered across this council over this year £44m in savings and we need to make every Dorset pound work for our residents."

Lib Dem council leader Nick Ireland added: "Overall I believe we have made very strong progress despite the financial pressures… we have continued to make a positive difference."