A great deal has happened since Dorset Council was created in 2019, including the global COVID-19 pandemic. Here are some key achievements so far.
Economic growth
- We paid out £257 million of government grants to local businesses to help keep them afloat during the COVID-19 pandemic
- We secured over £10 million from government programmes for better broadband
Suitable housing
- We’ve reduced the number of people living in bed and breakfast accommodation from over 150 to 90, helping them to move into settled homes
- We’ve exceeded our target to work with housing associations to build 300 new social homes a year for two years running.
Climate and ecology
- We secured £19 million of government funding for solar panels, LED lighting, and new heating systems to reduce our carbon emissions.
- Over 60% of rubbish in the Dorset Council area is now recycled.
Unique environment
- We’ve secured over £100 million to implement our coastal protection plan (including sea defence works) and protection against erosion
- We’ve agreed the Weymouth Harbour Wall protection scheme with government to protect the town from rising sea levels
Staying safe and well
- We focused on helping people to maintain their independence and most were able to go home straight from hospital.
- We oversaw the COVID-19 vaccinations for the social care workforce in Dorset: 97% are at least double-vaccinated.
Strong, healthy communities
- Children’s Services were inspected by Ofsted and rated ‘good’ with ‘outstanding leadership’
- We are investing £37.5million to increase the number and quality of places for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities.
We are working hard to make the council as efficient as possible.
