As part of our Reaching Out campaign Dorset Citizens Advice tell us how they helped a local resident: (more…)
Dorset to raise a flag for the Armed Forces
A special Armed Forces Day flag will be raised in Dorchester on Monday 21 June.
Dorset’s polling stations will be safe places to vote
For the elections on 6 May, Dorset Council is putting in place many of the measures we’ve become used to over recent months.
More digital arts activities for local people
Thanks to funding from an Arts Council England National Lottery Project Grant to develop libraries as cultural hubs, Dorset Library Service is to run a digital arts programme for young people and adults.
Candidates announced for 6 May elections
Candidates standing in this year’s Police and Crime Commissioner elections and some town and parish council by-elections in Dorset have been published.
New electric vehicle chargepoints ready to use in Dorset
Electric vehicle chargepoints have been installed and are live at Dorset Council car parks around the county.
Elections in Dorset this May – what’s happening and where
Although elections are not taking place this year for Dorset Council councillors (they happen in 2024), some by-elections and neighbourhood plan referendums and the Police Crime Commissioner election are taking place in the county on 6 May. These are: By-elections for: Lyme Regis Town Council Weymouth Town Council – Wyke Regis Ward Weymouth Town Council… Read more Elections in Dorset this May – what’s happening and where
200th child placed with their forever family
Aspire Adoption, one of the country’s first Regional Adoption Agencies, has placed its 200th child with their forever family.
Support available to complete the census
Trained advisers will be able to help Dorset residents who cannot get online to complete their 2021 census.
New round of business grants open
The latest round of Additional Restrictions Grants (ARG Phase 2) covering the current lockdown period opened to new applicants on Friday 12 February.
Tribute to mark 1000 Covid related deaths in Dorset
This week marks an extremely sad occasion in Dorset as the county passes the milestone of 1,000 Covid-19-related deaths.
Census 2021 is coming
Households across Dorset will soon be asked to take part in the 2021 Census.
Financial support for Dorset businesses as £23M already paid
Business support grants are being automatically paid by Dorset Council to qualifying businesses.
Voting safely at this year’s elections
On Thursday 6 May 2021 residents in the Dorset Council area will go to the polls for the Police and Crime Commissioner elections and several town/parish council by-elections.
Grants available for Dorset businesses
Business owners in the Dorset Council area are being reminded they can apply for financial support if they are affected by the current Tier 2 restrictions, or by the previous national lockdowns.
Reaching Out – Benefits case study (3 December 2020)
Further support grant now available for Dorset businesses
Businesses in the Dorset Council area affected by the current COVID-19 restrictions can now apply for the Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG).
Dorset COVID public update: live this Thursday
Officials from Public Health Dorset, Dorset Council and BCP Council will be broadcasting together this Thursday night (26 November), after the Government has announced which tier the area will be in once lockdown ends on 2 December.
Seven things to check if you’re at risk of redundancy
If you have lost your job, had your hours or pay reduced, or redundancy is on the horizon, help is available. Dorset Citizens’ Advice have put together a list of things to check:
Facing redundancy and not sure what to do? Reach out for support and advice
Citizens Advice Dorset and Dorset Council are encouraging people with employment concerns as a result of COVID-19 to reach out and seek advice as soon as possible.
Dorset residents urged to reach out early for support
Dorset Council and Dorset Citizens Advice have launched a new campaign encouraging residents financially affected by the COVID-19 pandemic to seek support before things become more difficult.
Reaching Out – Furlough case study (8 September 2020)
As part of our Reaching Out campaign Dorset Citizens Advice tell us how they are currently helping a local resident:
A woman was put on furlough by her employer. In April she should have been paid 80% of her normal pay, as this was the government arrangement. Instead she was paid 25%. She asked her employer why she only received 25%. She received no response from her employer.
In May, she received the correct amount, but did not receive an explanation about what happened in April.
At the end of May, she was given 48 hours notice to return to work. She could not return because she lived with someone who had a dangerous condition, whose life could be endangered by contact with COVID-19. The other person at home was extremely vulnerable. She tried to contact her employer by text and email to discuss her situation but received no response and no pay.
Frustrated, she eventually resigned.
The Citizens Advice caseworker is helping this client to calculate her losses and make a claim for them, and for “constructive” unfair dismissal (a legal term meaning that the employer broke the contract without actually telling the employee they were dismissed).
Help is available now
If you are struggling financially because of COVID-19, specialist advisers can help you with immediate problems and help plan for the longer term.
Call the Dorset Citizens Advice Adviceline on Freephone 0800 144 8848 or see more about the support available at www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/reaching-out.
More libraries reopening in Dorset
Three more libraries are set to reopen their doors this August.
Agreement sought to look at ways to prohibit disposable barbecues
Dorset Council is seeking agreement to look at measures prohibiting or controlling the use of disposable barbecues and other fire-related activities in the area.
Shared Lives Week 15 – 19 June
This week is Shared Lives week, and we would like to say thank you to all of our wonderful carers who are changing lives from their own homes.
Dorset Council publishes key decisions made during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak
A list of decisions made by Dorset Council as part of its COVID-19 emergency response has been published for review.
Online music lessons for Dorset’s young musicians!
Young musicians in Dorset are overcoming the strains of the current lockdown by accessing music-making together – online!
Thank you to Dorset’s outstanding volunteers
Since the announcement of the UK Lockdown, our communities have come together to support each other and those most vulnerable. Community groups were created overnight and have provided not only vital support for residents, but has highlighted just how caring our Dorset Council residents are.
Ideas to help plan your own VE Day celebration
Friday 8 May marks the 75th anniversary of VE Day – the official end of the Second World War in Europe, and we want everyone to be able to commemorate this special day safely.
Celebrate VE Day safely
Friday 8 May marks the 75th anniversary of VE Day – the official end of the Second World War in Europe, and we want everyone to commemorate this special day safely.
Dorset Council committee meetings to take place online
As a result of the current COVID-19 outbreak, Dorset Council will be hosting its committee meetings virtually following changes to legislation, starting with Cabinet.
