Round 4 of the Household Support Fund reopens for applications
Round 4 of the Household Support Fund (HSF) will reopen for applications at 9am on Wednesday 3 May 2023 for low-income households in the Dorset Council area.
Helping Dorset’s care leavers to live independently
Tuesday 18 April 2023, saw the official opening of a new purpose-built accommodation in Weymouth, which will provide homes for up to twelve young people leaving care.
Local Offer Live announced for 15 – 26 May
Local Offer Live 2023 Local Offer Live is taking place between 15 -26 May, and will feature a range of virtual events, activities, performances and workshops for parents, carers of children and young people with special educational needs or disability, providing greater awareness of the local opportunities that may be available to them. The two-week… Read more Local Offer Live announced for 15 – 26 May
New funding round to help improve community facilities in Dorset.
The latest round of the Capital Leverage Fund which is managed by Dorset Council, is now open and welcoming applications for projects which will provide new and improved facilities for our communities and residents.
Dorset Council cuts the ribbon on new housing in Blandford Forum
A pledge to reduce Dorset Council’s dependence on bed and breakfast accommodation took a step closer thanks to an ambitious redevelopment of a former empty home in Blandford Forum.
Weymouth railway station improvements get seal of approval
Councillors and officers from Dorset Council, Richard Drax MP, Chris Loder MP and the managing directors for South Western Railway and Network Rail (Wessex) officially opened Weymouth’s recently improved railway station on Friday, 21 April.
Calling all property professionals, forum re-starts for 2023
Property professionals, particularly landlords and letting agents or those thinking of joining the profession, are invited to kickstart the 2023 Landlord Forums on 18th May. Tickets have sold out already, but you can still attend online.
Landscape gardener prosecuted for fly-tipping waste near Dorchester
Today (Thursday 20 April), Dorset Council’s Waste Enforcement and Legal teams have successfully prosecuted another fly-tipper.
Over 96% of Dorset children are offered their first preference school
Parents and carers in the Dorset Council area were able to find out on Mon 17 April which place in reception, junior or middle school their children will be joining in September 2023. Those offered their first preference has increased to just under 97 per cent from just under 95 per cent last year. 96%… Read more Over 96% of Dorset children are offered their first preference school
Young people taking the lead
Young people from Dorset had a chance to discuss how they can make Dorset an even better place to be a child when they came together recently at a Youth Voice Residential.
King’s Big Help Out call for Dorset volunteers.
From rolling up their sleeves to help a local group, to supporting some of the UK’s best-known national charities, the Big Help Out on Monday 8 May will see thousands of people coming together to volunteer for their local communities.
Next phase of sustainable travel improvements for Ferndown
Work on the next section of sustainable travel improvements on Wimborne Road East in Ferndown to start on 24 April 2023.
Litter Free Dorset Event to Recycle Thousands of Disposable Barbecues
Litter Free Dorset is working with Southern Co-op and W&S Recycling to dismantle and recycle 8,000 disposable barbecues as a reminder of how destructive they can be to the environment.
Doors open to affordable homes in Weymouth.
New homes in Weymouth are the latest example of how Dorset Council is working in partnership with both housing developers and registered providers to deliver affordable homes for local people.
Residents invited to free outdoor health and wellbeing activities in Wimborne
Dorset Council’s Health and Activity team are running free physical activity sessions in Wimborne over the coming weeks to encourage people to get outdoors, get some light exercise and make some new friends.
Dorset foster carers get above inflation uplift in financial payments
Dorset Council foster carers and supported lodgings carers now benefit from an increase to their financial payment of 15 per cent from 1 April with a further increase of 12.43 per cent being added to the allowance part of the payment.
Livestock haulier guilty of causing injury to young calves
A livestock haulier who transported 35 calves from a farm in Dorset to a slaughterhouse in Wiltshire has been found guilty of causing them unnecessary suffering.
Dorset road preservation programme
As part of our road maintenance programme, a number of roads in the area are being given an ‘early life intervention’ to keep them in good condition.
Statement in response to Home Office announcement
We are aware of the Home Secretary’s announcement this afternoon, confirming that the Home Office wishes to proceed with its plans to house asylum seekers in floating accommodation at Portland Port. Dorset Council’s position has not changed. We still have serious reservations about the appropriateness of Portland Port in this scenario and we remain opposed… Read more Statement in response to Home Office announcement
Dorset Council prosecutes fake vinyl record seller
A Dorset man has been ordered to pay over £373,000 and given a suspended prison sentence following prosecution for the sale of illegal copies of vinyl records.
Access improvements in Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty made possible thanks to Defra funding
Several access improvements have been completed in Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in the last few months. Defra awarded each of England’s National Parks and AONBs an uplift in its core grant to help make our protected landscapes more accessible to people of all ages and abilities and from all backgrounds.
Poole Harbour Pipe Leak – Advice changing from Wednesday 5 April
On Sunday 26 March a leak occurred at a pipeline operated by Perenco at Owers Bay in Poole Harbour. Latest statement from Poole Harbour Commissioners issued on 4 April: As a result of the progress of the cleanup operations, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has revised previous advice and indicated that people are able… Read more Poole Harbour Pipe Leak – Advice changing from Wednesday 5 April
Free activities across Dorset this Easter Holidays
Having fun this Easter Holidays doesn’t have to be expensive. Here’s just some of the activities happening across Dorset.
Young care leavers help shape services for others
A new report shows a three-year pilot scheme trialled by eight local authorities, one of them Dorset Council, has made a real difference in helping young people leaving care to build happy and successful lives.
Dorset Council announces fresh planning application for North Quay
Dorset Council has today, 30 March 2023, submitted a brand-new planning application proposing to demolish the former Weymouth and Portland Borough Council offices at North Quay, Weymouth.
A Mooving Experience for Felix
Nineteen-year-old autistic student Felix is working in the field of his dreams after being placed on a North Dorset dairy farm by Dorset Council’s supported employment provider Pluss. Felix has always wanted to go into agriculture but at college he was finding the maths entry level quite difficult to complete so Pluss looked for… Read more A Mooving Experience for Felix
Car parking increases aim to limit impact on residents
An increase in the cost of parking in Dorset Council’s car parks will be limited to busy tourist areas. The rates will be seasonal, with some only increasing for the spring/summer period. The changes will come into effect from 28 April 2023.
Colombian delegation visits Dorset to discover how digital connectivity can transform rural economies
An international delegation from Colombia visited Dorset recently to learn how digital connectivity can revolutionise rural economies. The South American dignitaries were invited to meet Dorset Council and learn from the success of the ground-breaking £9m 5G RuralDorset project. The visit was organised by one of the 5G RuralDorset’s private sector partners, the Satellite Applications… Read more Colombian delegation visits Dorset to discover how digital connectivity can transform rural economies
Statement: Home Office proposal to use Portland Port
Dorset Council and the local MP Richard Drax have been made aware of conversations between the Home Office and the owners of Portland Port to site floating accommodation for asylum seekers in the port. We have serious concerns about the suitability of the location for this facility. The council has had limited input and has… Read more Statement: Home Office proposal to use Portland Port
New Health and Wellbeing Hub in Swanage given the green light
Proposals for the opening of a Health and Wellbeing Family Hub in Swanage in conjunction with Swanage & Purbeck Development Trust have been given the green light at Cabinet.
