New road unlocks land for homes in Dorset
Construction of a residential road in north Dorset is complete, paving the way for new homes in south Gillingham.
Volunteers’ Week 2023: Celebrate and Inspire
2023 marks the 39th year of Volunteers’ Week (1-7 June), when Dorset Council will join thousands of charities and voluntary organisations in celebrating the contribution volunteers make across Dorset. With this year’s theme of ‘Celebrate and Inspire’ we want to say a big thank you to all the wonderful volunteers and hopefully also encourage more… Read more Volunteers’ Week 2023: Celebrate and Inspire
Parking permits offer big savings for Dorset residents and workers
With recent rises in some public car parks in busy tourist areas, Dorset Council is urging people to check the cost benefits of its permits.
Dredged sediment poses no risk to health.
Analysis of the sediment deposited on Lyme Regis Front Town beach from the annual dredging in March this year shows that there is nothing that could be a risk to human or marine life.
Joint Overview Committee to review draft library strategy
A new draft strategy for Dorset Council’s libraries has just been published, with a fresh approach to delivering services and no proposed branch closures.
Dorset Road Fix – resurfacing June 2023
Our highways maintenance gangs are out across the council area continuing to repair road damage.
How Dorset Council is supporting children in care
The outlook for children in care and care leavers in the Dorset Council area has seen improvements over the last twelve months following a busy and productive year. These were the headlines which were delivered to a recent meeting of the Corporate Parenting board. Councillor Byron Quayle, portfolio holder for children, education, skills and early… Read more How Dorset Council is supporting children in care
Foster Carer walk to raise awareness
On Saturday 20 May, Dorset Council’s fostering service hosted a group dog walk along Weymouth Esplanade to raise awareness of Dorset’s need for more foster carers. Dorset Council foster carers attended, alongside members of the fostering team, with many people bringing family members, children, and of course their beloved dogs. The walk started at Lodmoor… Read more Foster Carer walk to raise awareness
Dorset Road Fix – surface dressing from 30 May and 5 June
Work continues to maintain rural and residential roads as part of our annual programme of surface dressing.
Dorset towns and parishes apply for new 20mph limits and zones
Five town and parish councils in the Dorset Council area are a step closer to implementing new 20mph speed limits and zones.
Foster Care Fortnight: Meet our foster carers
Have you considered fostering? If so, meet Jo. Jo has fostered with us for over two and a half years and has looked after over 20 children during this time, providing emergency, respite and day care placements for children and young people in Dorset. Meet Jo Jo Wheeler, aged 49, lives in North Dorset. She… Read more Foster Care Fortnight: Meet our foster carers
£200K funding boost to combat drug use in Dorset
Dorset has been selected to receive Government funding worth £200K to reduce demand for illicit substances in a study to research and develop interventions with young people that can be tested locally. The funding is part of a 10-year plan Government plan to cut crime and save lives by reducing the supply and demand for… Read more £200K funding boost to combat drug use in Dorset
Amber alert for Wildfire issued, covering all of Dorset
The Natural Hazards Partnership (NHP) issued an Amber alert for the risk of wildfires over the weekend (Saturday 20 May 2023). This means that the weather and ground conditions give a higher likelihood of wildfire, and that any fire that broke out would potentially be difficult to control.
Car Boot generates cash for the community!
Last year the Dorchester Market Car Boot Fund awarded over £24,000 worth of grants to community organisations in the Dorchester area. Pre-school clubs, sports clubs, youth projects, projects for people with disabilities or long-term health related issues and projects tackling social isolation were among those that benefitted from the funding. Dorset Council collected the income… Read more Car Boot generates cash for the community!
‘Loving’ Dorset Council director shortlisted for a national award
An inspiring leader who is helping to transform the lives of families and young people across Dorset has been shortlisted for a prestigious national award. Dorset Council’s Executive Director for Children’s Services, Theresa Leavy, is a finalist in the Municipal Journal’s (MJ) Achievement Awards. Theresa, who has worked at the council since 2020, has been… Read more ‘Loving’ Dorset Council director shortlisted for a national award
Another opportunity for voluntary and community groups to apply to the Dorset Youth Grant
Young people are to benefit for another year from a £100,000 fund through Dorset Council Youth organisations. The fund supports a range of activities for young people with grants being offered from £500 to £5,000. Applications must be submitted by Wednesday 14 June to be considered. Organisations working with young people can apply for grants… Read more Another opportunity for voluntary and community groups to apply to the Dorset Youth Grant
Foster Care Fortnight: Meet our foster carers
This Foster Care Fortnight, we want to shine a light on some of the foster carers who are changing the lives of Dorset’s children and young people.
Affordable housing for local people handed over in Langton Matravers
A new development of affordable housing created for the local community has been handed over to the residents of Spyway Orchard, Langton Matravers.
Lower Winterborne residents have chance to shape their community
Residents of Lower Winterborne have the opportunity to shape their community through the development of a Neighbourhood Plan.
Find out more about Fostering with Dorset Council
Join us this Foster Care Fortnight (15-28 May) to find out more about fostering with Dorset Council.
Feeding Dorset Event, celebrating outstanding food projects in Dorset
Dorset Council, Public Health Dorset and Help And Kindness collaboratively hosted an event to celebrate the outstanding food projects that have made a significant impact on communities across Dorset. The event, called Feeding Dorset, was hosted at the Corn Exchange, Dorchester, at the end of April. Feeding Dorset brought together a wide range of initiatives,… Read more Feeding Dorset Event, celebrating outstanding food projects in Dorset
Celebrating our foster carers and supported lodgings carers
Foster carers and supported lodgings carers in Dorset were recognised at an award ceremony recently for the huge difference they have made to the lives of children and young people by offering them safe and loving homes. The award categories ranged from recognising long service from 5 years and over through to the Pioneer Award.… Read more Celebrating our foster carers and supported lodgings carers
Dorset Road Fix – surface dressing from 15 May
Work starts this May to maintain rural and residential roads as part of our annual programme of surface dressing.
Have your say on planning climate change documents
Dorset Council is currently consulting on several guidance documents on planning for climate change.
New funding round launched to help communities thrive
Grants of up to £5,000 are available for projects that bring communities across Dorset together.
Parking machines to be upgraded
All our car park and on-street pay and display machines are to be replaced starting in Park Street, Weymouth on Tuesday 9 May 2023.
Position statement on Home Office asylum barge plan
Joint statement from Dorset Council and Dorset Police Dorset Council and Dorset Police have set out their shared position on the Home Office’s plans to house asylum seekers on a barge in Portland Port later this year.
Dorset Council’s market fair pay policy paying dividends in the care sector
Care providers are being asked by Dorset Council to pay care workers an additional £1/hour to take their hourly salary up to £11.50/hour when commissioned through the local authority. It comes after the Council announced its uplift in care fees in the community for 2023, for care businesses that work with the local authority through… Read more Dorset Council’s market fair pay policy paying dividends in the care sector
