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.
An outbreak of avian influenza has been confirmed in poultry near Gillingham, North Dorset.
A small number of chickens died suddenly and so were tested for bird flu. The results confirmed that they had contracted the H5N8 strain of the disease. The small number of remaining birds at the premises have been humanely culled.
Help with utility bills available this winter
Help is available with the costs of utility bills like gas, electric and water this winter.
5 ways to support your community this winter
Dorset residents are urged to make a difference this winter by supporting their neighbours and local communities.
Dorset AONB has secured money from Green Recovery Challenge Fund
Dorset Area of Natural Beauty ( Dorset AONB) Partnership has been awarded £763,900 from the Green Recovery Challenge Fund for two projects. The purpose of the Defra-origin fund was to aid nature recovery while securing jobs, particularly in the environmental charities which have suffered serious financial impacts as a result of the pandemic.
New Avian influenza precautions from 14 December
From the 14 December all poultry and captive birds must be housed under new rules issued by the Animal and Plant Health Agency. Due to the increase in cases of Avian Influenza (bird flu) found in both wild birds and commercial poultry flocks these additional rules have been brought in to prevent further spread of the… Read more New Avian influenza precautions from 14 December
Yule log-on with the help of Dorset Council this Christmas
Dorset’s residents are being urged to help friends and loved ones get online as the country prepares for its first ‘digital Christmas’. Tier 2 Covid-19 restrictions and limited Christmas bubbles will see more people than ever turn to the digital world to help them celebrate the festive season. However, in Dorset, it’s estimated that as… Read more Yule log-on with the help of Dorset Council this Christmas
Transforming Dorset’s planning services
The transformation of Dorset Council’s planning services is being discussed at the next Cabinet meeting (8 December). The report is a review of the services by The Planning Advisory Service that took place within the council’s first year.
Have your say on Dorset Council’s Local plan
A consultation on the draft Dorset Council Local Plan will start on 18 January 2021. Once adopted, the Local Plan will guide decisions on planning applications in Dorset for the next 15 years. The draft Dorset Council Local Plan will be discussed at next week’s Cabinet meeting. View the papers and the Dorset Council Local… Read more Have your say on Dorset Council’s Local plan
Dorset Council offers free parking days for residents and businesses this Christmas
To help shoppers return to high streets across Dorset for their Christmas shopping, Dorset Council is offering three days of free parking this December.
Dorset Road Fix 2020 – December sites
Dorset Highways maintenance gangs are out across the county continuing to repair road damage and maintain vital infrastructure.
Free device giveaways helping to shield people from loneliness
A second lockdown has been made a lot easier for some of Dorset’s most clinically vulnerable residents, thanks to the gift of free tablet devices. Earlier in the year Dorset Council teamed up with Everyone Connected to identify people who were previously shielding and would most benefit from receiving free tablets. Beryl Davies from Sturminster… Read more Free device giveaways helping to shield people from loneliness
Carers Rights Day 2020 – Know Your Rights
This Carers Rights Day (26 November) we’re working in partnership with BCP Council, NHS services and other health and care organisations who deliver integrated care across Dorset, to recognise, support and value local unpaid carers of all ages.
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.
Dorset’s Festival of the Future is hailed a success
Hundreds of people across the south west benefited from over sixty presentations on digital technology at the recent three-day Festival of the Future which took place on line. And many more are still catching up on the wealth of information available as most of the sessions are available on the Digital Dorset YouTube channel. The… Read more Dorset’s Festival of the Future is hailed a success
Crookhill waste depot fire and suspended bin collections – Update
Following yesterday’s (Sunday 15 November) fire incident at our Crookhill waste depot in Chickerell, we have begun the process of clearing the site and planning for waste collections in the Weymouth and Portland areas.
‘COVID Marshals’ sent out to help businesses and residents during pandemic
Dorset Council recently sent out newly-recruited ‘COVID Marshals’ in Weymouth to help residents and businesses keep safe during the pandemic and current lockdown.
Dorset Council Residents’ Survey 2020 – Have Your Say!
The 2020 residents’ survey is being undertaken by Information by Design (IbyD) on behalf of Dorset Council. Here’s a link to the survey if you’d like to complete it online.
Stay better connected during lockdown with Dorset’s Digital Hotline
A team of dedicated volunteers is on hand to help hundreds of Dorset residents stay connected during lockdown. Dorset Council’s Digital Champions, who used to hold regular surgeries in libraries, have continued offering their expertise throughout the Coronavirus crisis via the Digital Hotline. Now with another lockdown underway and winter just around the corner, the… Read more Stay better connected during lockdown with Dorset’s Digital Hotline
Libraries and TICs continue key services throughout lockdown
In line with Government regulations, Dorset Council’s libraries and Tourist Information Centres (TICs) across the county have now closed until Wednesday 2 December.
Weddings beat lockdown to achieve a Dorset record
Dorset Council’s registration services have conducted an amazing 46 marriages and civil partnerships in the three days running up to tomorrow’s lockdown. A Dorset record!
Dreaming of a greener winter
Dorset Highways is continuing its move towards a greener way of working, with a new winter gritting routine underway.
Household Recycling Centres across Dorset to remain open during lockdown
All 10 of Dorset Council’s Household Recycling Centres (HRCs, or “the tip”) will remain open daily during the latest lockdown period, but restrictions will apply on site.
Leader responds to second lockdown
Cllr Spencer Flower, Leader of Dorset Council, has reacted to announcements that England will enter a second national lockdown from Thursday. In response to the latest announcement made by the Prime Minister on Saturday evening, Cllr Flower said: “The collective efforts of people across Dorset have kept us in Tier 1 up to now and… Read more Leader responds to second lockdown
Transforming Travel’s first sustainable infrastructure investment scheme underway in Wimborne and Colehill
The improvements planned along Leigh Road are part of our ambition to make south east Dorset a cleaner, greener, healthier place to live, work, and do business.
What do you think about our plans to tackle the climate and ecological emergency?
Dorset Council has launched a consultation, asking people to let them know what they think about their recently published draft Climate and Ecological Emergency Strategy.
Deadline fast approaching for applications to new community and voluntary sector fund
Funding deadline alert! Dorset’s cultural and community and voluntary organisations have until 29 November 2020 to submit their application to Dorset Council for revenue support.
Changes to car parking charges – Your questions answered
Following recent commentary on our confirmed forthcoming changes to car parking charges, we’d like to take the opportunity to clarify what is happening and clear up some confusion.
Praise for successful community road safety scheme
Forty-five communities in Dorset are seeing slower vehicle speeds and safer roads thanks to Dorset Council’s community Speed Indicator Device (SID) programme.
Have your say on the future of Tourist Information Centres in Dorchester, Sherborne and Wareham
Dorset Council has launched a consultation to help develop the future of its Tourist Information Centres (TICs).
