Charmouth Beach footbridge improvements this January
Work is to take place on Charmouth Beach footbridge so it can remain safe and accessible for years to come.
Dorset Council set to receive £4.5 million to succeed EU funding
Central government has confirmed that Dorset Council is to receive around £4.5m over the next two years to continue several key programmes, as well as launch some new initiatives.
Reading is my superpower – Chesil children receive special edition Dorset Library Card
Children from schools in Weymouth and Portland, known as the Chesil area, now have an exciting new reason to visit their library. All year seven children from schools in the Chesil area, are awarded bespoke, superhero library cards to foster a love of reading and encourage them to make use of their local library, where… Read more Reading is my superpower – Chesil children receive special edition Dorset Library Card
Schools bring the joy of Christmas to older residents
Schools across Weymouth and Portland are bringing seasonal cheer to residents across the area with a video of Christmas readings from their pupils. Seven schools who are part of the Chesil Reading Project, have recorded their pupils reading Christmassy stories. These stories are being shared with residents in Dorset to bring some festive cheer –… Read more Schools bring the joy of Christmas to older residents
Deadline looming to apply for Community and Cultural Project Fund
There is still time to apply for funding if you have a sports, arts, or heritage project or event you wish to get off the ground in the new year.
Free Christmas holiday Swimming sessions for children and young people.
Dorset Council residents under the age of 16 are able to access free swimming from 17th December to the 1st of January in many of the leisure centres across the county. This opportunity follows on from the success of the free swimming available over this years summer holiday that saw almost 30,000 sessions… Read more Free Christmas holiday Swimming sessions for children and young people.
Gold Award for council’s Armed Forces support
A Gold Award has been given to Dorset Council as part of the Ministry of Defence Employer Recognition Scheme at a recent Official Ceremony in Dartmouth.
Shaftesbury Children’s Centre has been kindly donated a Christmas tree
This week, a new arrival has appeared at Shaftesbury Children’s Centre & Nursery, bringing festive cheer to families and children thanks to the very generous donation of a beautiful real Christmas tree from Orchard Park Garden Centre in Gillingham. The tree welcomes people in the entrance area of the Children’s Centre and it has been… Read more Shaftesbury Children’s Centre has been kindly donated a Christmas tree
Yellow buses archives saved
The historic archives of Bournemouth Transport Limited, known locally as the ‘Yellow Buses’ have been transferred into public ownership at Dorset History Centre (DHC).
A confirmed case of bird flu near Dorchester
There has been a confirmed case of Avian Influenza or bird flu near Dorchester. Letters have been sent to all households within a 3km area to register details of poultry or captive birds and to remind bird keepers of the special measures that are in place. This area includes Broadmayne, West Stafford, south Dorchester. People who… Read more A confirmed case of bird flu near Dorchester
Have your say on the future of Dorset’s archives
The Dorset History Centre is asking people how they use or would use their services in the future. The survey will form part of an application to the National Lottery Heritage Fund, to extend the archive stores, improve public facilities and offer outreach services. Dorset History Centre in Dorchester is the publicly funded archive service… Read more Have your say on the future of Dorset’s archives
Dorset volunteers honoured at tree planting ceremony
25 fruit trees, donated by Dorset Council, have been planted at Tumbledown Community Growing in Weymouth to thank and honour Dorset’s volunteers who came together to help through the covid-19 pandemic. Cllr Jean Dunseith conducted the official ceremony on behalf of Dorset Council with invited guests and local volunteers who helped during the pandemic present. Cllr… Read more Dorset volunteers honoured at tree planting ceremony
Artz and Sportz is proving popular with disabled children and their families in Dorset
Dorset Children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and their families, who may need some extra support, are invited to enjoy the forthcoming activities of the ‘Artz & Sportz’ Dorset Council project. The project has seen the Christmas holiday 2022 programme featuring Cinderella at Poole Lighthouse in particularly high demand and many events are… Read more Artz and Sportz is proving popular with disabled children and their families in Dorset
Education for Children in Care is improving
A report released by Dorset Council has concluded that children in care in Dorset are thriving in the right educational setting, attending, feeling included and listened to so that they become independent and resilient young people. The report states: ‘We do not give up when one of our children hits a bump in the road;… Read more Education for Children in Care is improving
New project to support local families
Families will benefit from extra support from today with the launch of a new programme to help keep the whole family safe and well. The pilot project, Safeguarding Families Together, will improve the health and education outcomes for children and support the aim of making Dorset the best place to be a child. The pilot has… Read more New project to support local families
Hundreds more people are helping to get Dorset residents online
A free training programme has now recruited and trained 750 special advisors to help Dorset’s digitally excluded residents get online. Called the ‘Embedded Digital Champion (EDC)’ programme, the Dorset Council-run course aims to train 1,000 of the county’s frontline workers by 2023. This is to help make sure no one is left behind in an… Read more Hundreds more people are helping to get Dorset residents online
Free workshop for farmers and land managers as Direct Payments are brought to a close
The first of a series of free workshops to help farmers and landowners plan for changes to grant payments is going to be held at Bishops Caundle Village Hall on 14 December 2022.
Dorset’s care leavers in search of rental properties
Dorset Council is inviting private landlords to work in partnership with them to provide good quality accommodation for young people leaving the care of the council.
Internationally acclaimed programme supports Dorset foster families
Foster care families in Dorset will benefit from even more support thanks to a partnership with The Fostering Network to deliver the global award-winning Mockingbird programme. Mockingbird delivers sustainable foster care. It is an evidence-based model structured around the support and relationships an extended family provides. The model nurtures the relationships between children, young people… Read more Internationally acclaimed programme supports Dorset foster families
New free parking for Blue Badge holders
People with a Blue Badge who meet certain requirements can apply for an additional parking permit allowing them to park free of charge in our car parks for up to three hours.
Check if you qualify for financial assistance
Keep up to date and check if you qualify for any financial assistance as personal circumstances change because of the cost of living.
Illegal puppy farmers ordered to pay £150k or face prison
A judge has given a pair of convicted illegal puppy sellers just 3 months to pay over £150,000 or risk up to 18 months in prison.
You can get a FREE pre-loved coat for your child
Over the past few weeks, Dorset Council Children’s Centres in Blandford and Shaftesbury have been asking the public to donate coats for children aged 0 – 16 to support families in the area struggling with the cost of living. There has been a fantastic response to the appeal and thanks to the Dorset public’s kind… Read more You can get a FREE pre-loved coat for your child
Employers urged to join us on Carers Rights Day
Employers are encouraged to join the council in adopting guidance to support employees who are also carers, as we approach Carers Rights Day this Thursday (24 November).
Shop locally with free pre-Christmas parking
There will be free parking on selected days in late November and December at some car parks in the Dorset Council area.
Partnership to support vulnerable women in Dorset
A project which will help vulnerable women in Dorset has come one step closer to realisation. Dorset Council has appointed BCHA, a charitable housing association based in the south west, to lead the Pause Programme. Pause is a nationally evaluated programme which works with women who have experienced, or are at risk of, repeated pregnancies… Read more Partnership to support vulnerable women in Dorset
More rough sleepers helped with funding
Dorset Council has successfully secured more than £1.5 million to help continue excellent work supporting rough sleepers. As well as continuing to support existing projects, such as the Bus Shelter and our advice and support services, the additional funding will help establish a new rapid assessment unit for vulnerable people providing accommodation and bespoke assistance… Read more More rough sleepers helped with funding
New 20mph application launched for towns and parishes
Dorset’s town and parish councils can now apply online for 20mph speed limits and zones, following the introduction of a new policy.
Time is running out to have your say
Have your say on the future of Dorset Council’s libraries before consultation closes.
Ofsted pilot inspection recognises Dorset Council’s SEND achievements
A recent Ofsted (the office for standards in education) pilot framework inspection found that “it is a time of great positive change for children and young people with SEND in Dorset” (SEND: Special Educational Needs and/or Disability).
