Dorchester Town Council

How we are funded

The Town Council spends around £1.5 Million a year on its services.

Around 85% of the funds we rely on are raised through the Council Tax, which is paid by c. 7,500 households in Dorchester and also includes sums paid to Dorset Council, Dorset Police and Dorset Fire Authority. The Dorset Council collects the Council Tax. 

The remaining 15% comes from direct users of our services, predominantly Municipal Buildings hire and Burial fees, and from our 1/3 share of the surplus generated by markets in the town.

The Council receives no direct grant from Central Government; nor does it receive any funding from the local business community through Non-Domestic Rates.  All of our money is raised locally.