The Summer Reading Challenge 2021 is here!
This year’s Summer Reading Challenge is off to a flying start with over 1,000 children in Dorset signing up in the last 3 weeks.
Have your say about Dorset’s town and parish council areas
From 5 August, people can give their comments as part of a review which aims to ensure Dorset’s town and parish councils continue to reflect the communities they represent.
Councillors support school expansion to benefit young people with SEND
Plans to expand Beaucroft School and increase provision for children and young people with special educational needs or disabilities has been given the go-ahead by Dorset Council’s Cabinet today (27 July 2021).
New homelessness and rough sleeping strategy for Dorset
Dorset Council’s Cabinet agreed to adopt a new strategy to tackle the pressures of homelessness and rough sleeping in the area at their meeting today, Tuesday 27 July.
Family friendly festival returns to Dorset
Camp Bestival is returning to Lulworth Castle this coming weekend, (30 & 31 July and 1 August) after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID pandemic.
New film to help you enjoy dog walks safely in the countryside this summer
Walking is great for our mental and physical health, and it is even more enjoyable when we have our four-legged friends with us. Thanks to a new film produced in collaboration with dog behaviourist Natalie Light, discover some top tips on how you and your dog can enjoy the great British countryside safely this summer.
Residents to shape their communities as three new Neighbourhood Plans get started
Residents of Wimborne St.Giles, Colehill, Tincleton, West Knighton, West Stafford and Woodsford have the opportunity to shape their community through the development of three new Neighbourhood Plans.
Dorset Council begins removal of Westham Bridge Cycle Shelter after receiving local support
Officers in the Highways team at Dorset Council will begin removing the old bike shelter on Westham Bridge in Weymouth after a recent survey showed overwhelming support for relocating the facilities.
Beaminster Library to reopen
From 26 July Beaminster Library will begin to reopen and welcome back customers. Customers will be able to browse books and items to borrow and access a range of services, including use of computers and printing. From Monday, the opening times will be: Monday, 2.30pm to 6.30pm Thursday, 9.30am to 12.30pm and 2.30pm to 5pm… Read more Beaminster Library to reopen
Summer in Dorset – Come join the fun!
Dorset Council is helping children and young people to enjoy a happy and healthy summer, with a programme of exciting things to do and nutritious meals. Summer in Dorset is an initiative designed to bring high-quality, accessible and affordable holiday activities to families in Dorset. Find out more A big part of Summer in… Read more Summer in Dorset – Come join the fun!
First section of Leigh Road – Wimborne Road West, completed and ready for use
Improvements to enable more sustainable travel have now been completed on the first section of Wimborne Road West in Colehill.
School expansion would benefit Dorset’s children with Special Educational Needs or Disabilities (SEND)
Plans to expand Beaucroft School and increase provision for children and young people with special educational needs or disabilities will be taken to Dorset Council’s cabinet meeting on 27 July.
New funding for climate, nature and people in the nation’s special landscapes
Farmers and land managers in England’s National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) will be given grants to make improvements to the natural environment, cultural heritage and public access.
Update on schools – Managing Coronavirus
Dorset Council is working closely with Public Health Dorset and all schools to safely manage any Coronavirus cases that occur. All schools, colleges and education settings are following Dorset Council, Department for Education and Public Health guidance. Risk assessments have been carried out and hygiene measures are in place. Plans have been prepared to make… Read more Update on schools – Managing Coronavirus
New housing register to go live in Dorset
Changes to how residents can apply and be assessed for social housing in the Dorset Council area start today (19 July).
Council reports on its financial position
A report is due to go before Dorset Council Cabinet members at its meeting on 27 July, outlining the council’s financial position at the end of the first quarter.
Highways England assessing north-south connectivity
As part of the Government’s Road Investment Strategy (RIS2), Highways England will be assessing the current north-south connectivity between the M4 and south coast, with every north-south A road in scope.
New campaign asks visitors to help protect our heathlands this summer
The Urban Heaths Partnership (UHP) is asking everyone who visits local heathlands and forests to help protect them this summer.
Dorset’s blue light services expecting a busy weekend
Emergency services in Dorset have met to discuss resilience issues in the county and are working together to ensure a safe level of service is maintained across the weekend.
Help Dorset children have summer holiday fun
Please volunteer to help children and young people in Dorset have fun during the summer holidays.
Dorset Council prepares for step 4 of the COVID roadmap
Dorset Council is putting plans in place ready for the Government’s lifting of remaining legal restrictions relating to the COVID pandemic from Monday 19 July.
STAND petition submission – Response from Full Council meeting
The following statement was provided by Dorset Council chairman Cllr Val Pothecary at this evening’s (Thursday 15 July) Full Council meeting, regarding a petition submitted by the Save The Area North of Dorchester (STAND) group.
Dorset Council Local Plan Blog – How to get people to take part in a planning consultation.
I’m Fiona King, Senior Communications Officer at Dorset Council. I’m leading on the communications for Dorset Council’s very first Local Plan.
Dorset Council Local Plan Blog – The world of planning…place making
Frances Summers gives us an insight into what planning in local government is all about…. Hi. I’m Frances. I am a senior planning policy officer working on the Dorset Council Local Plan. I want to share some insights into the fascinating world of planning.
Help is still available
As COVID restrictions ease and government financial support reduces, Dorset residents are reminded to reach out for support if they are facing difficulty.
Look out for the domestic abuse campaign banners on council vehicles
A visual campaign has launched signposting people to support if they are experiencing domestic abuse.
Dorset young people win The Diana Award
Eight young people from Dorset have been awarded The Diana Award in recognition for their work in getting the voices of young people heard.
The old women who lived in a shoe. Latest blog by Amanda (one of our brilliant foster carers)
Well that’s what I feel like at the moment with hopefully less of the ‘old’. My eldest (number 1) has been back from uni for several months thanks to the pandemic. My nest is therefore jam packed with all eight kids decidedly bored with all this Covid business.
Summer safety and Promise to love Dorset
BBQ and campfire ban in high fire risk areas Our Cabinet agreed to ban the use of disposable BBQs and the lighting of campfires on Dorset Council-owned land at high fire risk areas, like our country parks, woodlands and heaths. This action came about after the devastating Wareham Forest Fire which burned between May and… Read more Summer safety and Promise to love Dorset
Planning convergence and transformation July 2021
We have finished transferring the planning information for the former Purbeck District Council into the new Dorset Council planning platform. This is the fourth phase of six to move all former district, borough, and county planning systems into one.
