A chance to have your say on the Draft Air Quality Action Plan
A draft Air Quality Action Plan has been published and Dorset Council is asking for your views on the plan.
Cllr Spencer Flower – Welcome to the winter 2021 edition of Dorset Council News
Dorset is an attractive place and many people choose to retire here. 29% of our residents are aged over 65 (the national average is 19%). While many older people are fit and well, a growing number of vulnerable older people and disabled residents need social care. Over 50% of the council’s budget is spent on… Read more Cllr Spencer Flower – Welcome to the winter 2021 edition of Dorset Council News
Support for the Armed Forces Community and veterans
There are over 58,000 Armed Forces veterans in Dorset, plus around 40,000 serving personnel and their families. Through the Armed Forces Covenant, we are working with them to ensure their needs are always considered and they are not disadvantaged due to their service. The Armed Forces could not carry out its vital role without… Read more Support for the Armed Forces Community and veterans
Give the gift of a warm Christmas
If you receive a Winter Fuel Payment but can manage without it, you could donate it to support Dorset residents who need extra help. We are supporting Dorset Community Foundation’s Surviving Winter appeal, which provides individual grants of up to £200 for people who face the choice between eating well and keeping homes warm. To… Read more Give the gift of a warm Christmas
Plan for your future. Could you be a Shared Live Carer?
Have you, and your family, made plans for the future? A Will, Lasting Power of Attorney and decisions about what you would like to happen should you need care and support, are important to have in place now, so you can plan your finances and make informed decisions. Unlike the NHS, social care isn’t free.… Read more Plan for your future. Could you be a Shared Live Carer?
Can you help Dorset’s care leavers?
We have joined the national Care Leaver Covenant, but it needs more organisations to sign up. Many care leavers face the challenges of pursuing their studies or finding employment often without the support of family and friends. Our aim is to get our wider community to provide more support through: education and training life, financial… Read more Can you help Dorset’s care leavers?
Dorset Council to discuss options for future use of South Walks House
A report recommending a 20-year lease of the South Walks House building in Dorchester to local NHS organisations will be discussed at Dorset Council’s Cabinet meeting on 7 December.
Show your appreciation for Dorset’s Volunteer Heroes
Throughout the pandemic, volunteers across the country have played an essential part in helping people stay safe and have kept our communities going.
Avian influenza – information for bird keepers
From Monday 29 November all poultry and captive birds must be housed to protect them from avian influenza.
Council is making progress on planning applications
Dorset Council has cleared the planning validation backlog. This means that planning applications are now being validated within a few days of receipt. The council’s planning transformation project has brought together planning data from five former district councils onto one planning database. This, combined with the introduction of more efficient processes, has enabled the team… Read more Council is making progress on planning applications
New free special school for Weymouth and Portland
Dorset Council is delighted to be working with the Department for Education (DfE) on a new special free school for Weymouth & Portland.
Installation of Weymouth Art Trail now underway
Dorset Council is working to install a collection of sculptural artworks in Weymouth, designed to encourage people to explore the town and reveal its history and relationship with water.
16 days of action to tackle Domestic Abuse
25 November marks the beginning of a national campaign, 16 days of Action Against Domestic Abuse (25 November to 10 December).
Dorset Council’s Children’s Services celebrate ‘Good’ Ofsted rating
Children’s Services at Dorset Council have been judged as ‘Good’ by Ofsted, following an inspection of local authority children’s services (ILACS) in September.
Weymouth public realm works continue
Work along Custom House Quay is continuing – with the first section of new, wider paving now complete.
Dorset Social Workers shortlisted for top national awards
Dorset Council is proud to announce that two social workers from the area were shortlisted for prestigious awards in recognition of their extraordinary support for adults.
Festive events supported with free parking
To encourage residents to shop locally, Dorset Council is supporting local events with free parking this festive season.
Dorset Road Fix – resurfacing December 2021
Dorset Highways maintenance gangs are out across the county continuing to repair road damage.
Have your say on measures to tackle anti-social behaviour
Dorset Council has launched a public consultation today, asking residents for their views on eight proposed Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs).
Cycleway reconstruction set to be finished
A Gillingham footway/cycleway under reconstruction is set to be surfaced this week.
Highways winter service resumes
Dorset Highways will once again be helping to keep you moving this winter, with its gritting crews on-call from the start of this month.
Letter to Children and Young People from Ofsted
To the children and young people in Dorset, Inspection of children’s services In October 2021, a team of six Ofsted inspectors visited Dorset. They looked at children and young people’s experiences of the help, protection and care given to them by workers at the local authority. They also looked at what leaders at the local… Read more Letter to Children and Young People from Ofsted
New progress report shows Dorset Council on its way to becoming carbon neutral
Dorset Council has published its first Climate and Ecological Emergency Strategy Progress Report, which focusses on action we have taken towards achieving our carbon emission targets over the past year as well as highlighting some of the work underway to deliver the strategy.
New bike storage supports more people to cycle to school
Pupils and teachers at schools across Dorset are enjoying space for 260 more cycles following the installation of brand new cycle storage facilities.
Blandford paving works paused
Dorset Highways paving works in Blandford are being put on hold to allow unforeseen utility work to be carried out.
Dorset’s new SEND school named and getting ready for students
Progress continues at Dorset’s new school in Shaftesbury for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).
A collaboration with Hall & Woodhouse to support Dorset’s care leavers
Dorset Council has built on a positive relationship with Hall & Woodhouse, to create valuable career and training opportunities for young adults who are leaving the care of the council.
First festival for Dorset carers to be held on Carers Rights Day
Dorset and BCP Councils are teaming up with a host of organisations for the Carers Dorset Festival on Thursday 25 November, which is also national Carers Rights Day.
Have your say on the Draft Dorset Domestic Abuse Strategy
Dorset residents and stakeholders are invited to have their say on the draft Dorset Domestic Abuse Strategy 2021-2024.
5GRuralDorset Leads World in 5G Satellite Backhaul Research
World firsts are rare. Yet for the second time in recent months, the 5GRuralDorset project has found itself at the cutting edge of telecommunications research. Read more here
