CENTENARIAN Norrie Woodhall has launched a scathing attack on her local councils.

The 105-year-old actress, artist and author has hit out at Dorset County Council for its scathing cuts to public services.

Norrie, who knew Dorset writer Thomas Hardy and performed with the original Hardy Players, also criticised West Dorset District Council’s decision to move to new offices in the proposed Charles Street development in Dorchester.

Dorset is facing unprecedented cuts in public services and public sector job losses as the county council seeks to make savings of £55million over the next three years.

The plans have sparked widespread protest, particularly proposals to close 20 libraries and axe school crossing patrols.

She said: “As one of the oldest residents of Dorset and being Dorset born and bred I feel the councils are completely out of touch with local opinion.”

Norrie, who lives in Owermoigne, said she felt it was important she made her views known.

She added: “We are told by all our politicians that the country is in a perilous financial state and great savings must be made by all and sundry. Apparently this does not apply to Dorset councillors. They are not listening to us the great Dorset public.

“Apparently they have difficulty in reading or understanding anything in print or hearing any comments that do not agree with their views. All the local papers have been full of letters against the move of the council’s offices, libraries to be closed, social services cut back or outsourced and school crossing patrols to be axed.”

Norrie said she had heard one councillor claim that it was not the responsibility of the council to ensure safe passage of children across the roads outside schools.

She added: “His comments make me wonder what else won’t be the council’s responsibility over the next few months.

“I imagine great savings could be made by stopping waste collections, community care, trading standards and all the rest of the services offered by the council.”

Norrie urged local MPs in the county to get the message of the Government’s Localism Bill, which aims to address the concerns of local people, across to local councillors.

What do you think?

Do you think libraries in Dorset should be axed to save money?

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