Update on schools opening for more pupils
Plans are being made to welcome more pupils back into school across Dorset.
Find out about Fostering
If you’re interested in fostering, find out more during Foster Care Fortnight.
Laptops for learners
More than 270 reconditioned laptops and 30 mobile phones have been delivered to children across Dorset to help them with online learning.
Hot food for NHS workers shared over Easter weekend
Dorset Council and local brewers Hall & Woodhouse teamed up over the Easter weekend to show their support for Dorset’s NHS workers.
Dorset schools plan to keep local provision going and continue to provide free school meals over Easter
Dorset schools are working hard to stay open and will provide additional free school meal vouchers over Easter to help support families during the coronavirus pandemic.
Businesses invited to access grant funding
Eligible businesses in Dorset are invited to access grant funding which the Government announced recently.
Syrian refugee families volunteer to help during Coronavirus outbreak
During this uncertain time of the coronavirus outbreak (COVID-19), it’s a comfort to know people want to help support our most vulnerable residents.
Visitors and second-home owners asked to stay away from Dorset to help stop the spread of Coronavirus
Dorset Council is asking visitors and second-home owners to help stop the spread of Coronavirus by staying away from tourist hotspot locations in Dorset. To help minimise the spread of the virus Dorset Council will shortly be closing its country parks and open spaces. This unprecedented move follows other organisations such as the National Trust… Read more Visitors and second-home owners asked to stay away from Dorset to help stop the spread of Coronavirus
Upcoming Uni and College Open Days
We thought it would be useful to pull together a list of upcoming College and University Open Days in the Dorset area: Bournemouth University – Undergraduate open day Wednesday 8th April, 12:00 – 17:00 Open Days are your opportunity to find out more about our courses and get a feel for what life is like… Read more Upcoming Uni and College Open Days
Dorset Council Community Hero Awards 2020
Do you know of someone in your local community who deserves community recognition? If so, we would love to hear from you.
Green light given for residential care home and accommodation for young care leavers
Dorset Council’s Cabinet today approved plans to build a new residential care home, contact centre, activity space and residential accommodation for children and young people in the county.
Free arts activities for people living with dementia or mental health conditions
Free creative activities are on offer to vulnerable people in Dorset as part of a pilot scheme.
Bridport communities back neighbourhood plan
A local community is just one step away from having approved neighbourhood plans for their area.
Have your say on our draft Housing Allocation Policy
Dorset Council is drafting a new policy looking at how people access social housing in the area.
Most Dorset pupils get their first choice of senior school
Young people across Dorset will find out today (2/3) which school they will be joining in September.
Local communities back neighbourhood plans
Two local communities are just one step away from having approved neighbourhood plans for their area.
Weymouth man given a suspended sentence and Criminal Behaviour Order for fly-tipping
Dorset Council has successfully prosecuted a man for fly-tipping offences.
Why we have increased council tax
Council tax contributions for Dorset Council will increase by just under 4% to help fund the rising cost of adult social care and children’s services, protecting the most vulnerable people in society.
Celebrating Care Day 2020
Today, Friday 21 February, is #CareDay20. A global celebration of Children and Young People with care experience.
Dorset Council sets its budget and priorities for 2020/21
Councillors approved Dorset Council’s budget and agreed our priorities for 2020/21 at last night’s Full Council meeting (18 Feb). They decided to increase council tax by just under 4% to help fund the rising cost of adult social care and children’s services, protecting the most vulnerable people in society. The increase also protects ‘discretionary’ services… Read more Dorset Council sets its budget and priorities for 2020/21
Council wins funding to help rough sleepers
Dorset Council has been awarded nearly £500,000 of government funding to help tackle rough sleeping in the county.
Dorset to benefit from share of £1 million of funding for domestic abuse services
A further amount of just under £1m has been secured to help tackle domestic abuse across Dorset and Hampshire. This follows a similar award to the area in 2018.
Successful prosecution of Weymouth fly-tipper
Enforcement Officers from the Dorset Waste Partnership (DWP), working alongside Dorset Council’s legal team, have successfully prosecuted a fly-tipper from Weymouth.
Dorchester Market Car Boot Funds 2020
Community and voluntary organisations working in and around Dorchester will be pleased to hear that the Dorchester Market Car Boot Fund is open for applications. The income from weekly Car Boots sales held in Dorchester is distributed annually to local community and voluntary organisations in and around Dorchester to benefit projects operating within or supporting… Read more Dorchester Market Car Boot Funds 2020
Dorset Council to increase funding for adult social care and children’s services
Dorset Council has submitted proposals for its 2020-21 budget in a report going to three Scrutiny Committees (People, Place and Resources) on 13 January. These proposals include: Increase in funding for adult social care of £11.7m, taking the budget from £111.2m last year to £122.9m to meet the forecast demand for social care for older… Read more Dorset Council to increase funding for adult social care and children’s services
Change in senior leadership at Dorset Council
Sarah Parker, Executive Director for People – Children, has resigned from her role in order to carry out other work outside of Dorset. Sarah will leave Dorset Council at the end of December. Sarah joined Dorset County Council at the end of January this year and became the new council’s first Executive Director for People… Read more Change in senior leadership at Dorset Council
We’ve been shortlisted for LGC Awards!
The 2020 Local Government Chronicle Awards (LGC) shortlist has been unveiled and we are delighted to announce we have been nominated in four of the categories.
Agenda for Dorset Council’s Cabinet meeting on 5 November live online
Dorset Council’s Cabinet will meet at South Walks House, Dorchester on Tuesday 5 November at 10am. Members of the public are welcome to attend. The agenda has been published online today. The following important issues will be discussed: Quarter 2 budget report An update to the Cabinet on Dorset Council’s financial position and forecasts at… Read more Agenda for Dorset Council’s Cabinet meeting on 5 November live online
Dorset children ‘benefiting from much better help and protection’
Children in Dorset are benefiting from much better help and protection and senior leaders have a clear understanding of what needs to improve, say Government inspectors.
Children’s Advice and Duty Service: providing the right help at the right time
Professionals in Dorset with concerns about a child can now pick up the phone and talk to a social worker, rather than fill out a referral form.
