BALANCING a multi-million-pound council budget is rarely straightforward and hundreds of Dorset residents have had the chance to find out for themselves.

More than 700 people stepped into the shoes of councillors by taking part in Dorset Council’s online Budget Challenge – an interactive simulator designed to show the difficulties in closing a significant funding gap while protecting essential services.

In total, 745 residents adjusted spending across key areas while also deciding how much council tax should rise.

Most participants made only small adjustments to everyday services with waste budgets cut by less than 1% on average and highways seeing a modest increase.

To balance the books, many opted to reduce spending on adult social care – the council’s biggest area of expenditure – as well as corporate services.

On average, participants proposed council tax rises of more than 7%.

The council is legally capped at a maximum increase of 4.99% without triggering a local referendum.

Feedback from the challenge has been shared with councillors ahead of budget proposals for 2026/27, which are due to be published early next year.

A follow-up survey found that nearly 60% of participants felt they had a better understanding of how the council’s finances work after completing the challenge.

On the back of that response, the council has reopened the simulator so more residents can take part.

Cabinet member for finance and capital strategy Cllr Simon Clifford said the results underlined the tough choices he and colleagues face.

He thanked residents for getting involved and encouraged others to try the tool, describing it as a simple way to see where council tax money goes.