Decision expected on new school and centre of excellence
Ambitious plans to create a new special school for around 280 pupils and a leading national centre of excellence, near Shaftesbury, will be decided later this month.
Archaeological investigations set to start at North Quay
In response to Dorset Council’s recent public engagement on its initial development proposals for the North Quay site in Weymouth, a number of comments were made about the historical importance of the site, particularly as it was the location of action during the Civil War in 1645.
Record number of Dorset children being offered first choice of primary school
Today (Friday 16 April), parents across the county are finding out which primary, first junior or middle school their child will be going to in September 2021.
Overwhelming support for special school at St Mary’s site
Local people and community groups have given their views on the future of the former St Mary’s school site near Shaftesbury.
Driver found guilty in court after injuring parking warden on Weymouth Esplanade
A local man was recently found guilty in court of driving without due care and attention after injuring a Dorset Council officer who was carrying out his duties.
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.
Residents have chance to shape their community
Residents of Wimborne St Giles have the opportunity to shape their community through the development of a Neighbourhood Plan.
Holwell Neighbourhood Plan
A review of the Holwell Neighbourhood Plan has been submitted to the council for examination. The plan has been reviewed by local people, and agreed by the parish council, who feel confident that the plan reflects the hopes and views of the local community.
Dorset Council to invest a further £6.3million for highways maintenance
Dorset Council’s Cabinet has approved a further £6.3million to help repair and maintain the county’s roads, footways, and cycleways.
Durlston Country Park to receive £35,400 from Culture Recovery Fund
Dorset Council’s Durlston Country Park in Swanage has received a grant of £35,400 from the Government’s £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund to help the organisation recover and reopen.
The Roman Town House open to visitors this Easter
Dorset Council and its partners are pleased to be welcoming visitors back this Easter to the Roman Town House in Dorchester. The project has been made possible by money raised by National Lottery players and has received £248,000 grant funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund. The project focuses on delivering a range of improvements… Read more The Roman Town House open to visitors this Easter
Council warns of long delays at Household Recycling Centres this Easter
This Easter, Dorset Council are warning potential visitors to their Household Recycling Centres (HRCs, or “the tip”) to expect long delays, and are advising to postpone your “trip to the tip” if possible.
Delivering food and fun to children in Dorset
More than 1,500 fun food and activity ‘holiday bundles’ are being sent to Dorset children who need it most this Easter. Volunteers and council staff took over County Hall in Dorchester to create the bundles for families who have been hardest hit by the pandemic, take a look! https://youtu.be/qUwELM6qPZk The bundles, which are being distributed… Read more Delivering food and fun to children in Dorset
Free parking to continue for NHS workers
Free parking arrangements for NHS and care workers will remain in place through to the end of Sunday 18th July 2021.
Virtual inquiry to be held
A virtual public inquiry is to be held for the Appeals by DM Guppy & Sons. The appeal relates to several planning decisions regarding Guppy’s Yard on East Moors Lane, St Leonards.
Gillingham affordable extra care development gets green light from Dorset Council
A new extra care residential development has resolution for approval following a Dorset Council Northern Area Planning Committee meeting on 23 March.
Disposable BBQ options put before Councillors
Councillors on Dorset Council’s Cabinet have discussed recommendations at its meeting on 6 April and have agreed to continue looking at the orders for the banning of disposable BBQs on Dorset land in high fire risk areas across Dorset. These will come into force at a later date.
Dinah’s Hollow slope stabilisation safety work to receive funding
[Updated Tuesday 6 April] – Dorset Council’s Cabinet today discussed the Capital Programme 2021/22 report, which outlines a number of major new projects that need capital funding.
New £37.5m plan to provide the best education for Dorset children with SEND
Ambitious plans to improve the lives of Dorset children with SEND (special educational needs and or a disability) and reduce future costs have been unveiled.
Bid to list local heritage assets is successful
A joint bid by Dorset Council and BCP Council for funds to create a list of local heritage assets has been successful. A total of £70,000 has been secured from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG).
Council begins process for the creation of a new Household Recycling Centre for East Dorset
At Dorset Council’s Cabinet meeting on April 6th, officers will recommend members approve the funding of a new Household Recycling Centre (HRC, or “the tip”) for East Dorset.
Rogue trader jailed for fraudulent trading across four counties
A man who worked on a range of home and garden maintenance jobs at consumers’ homes in Dorset, Hampshire, Wiltshire and Devon has been jailed for participating in a fraudulent business. A second man who was found to have laundered money for the business was also given a prison sentence.
Love your verge with these friendly faces
Signage featuring fun and friendly wildlife characters will soon be seen on Dorset’s verges. The signage will feature a range of characters including bumble bee, mouse, grass snake, hedgehog and grasshopper. The messages on the signs will explain how we are managing that particular verge and thank people for taking their rubbish home.
Dorset one of the first areas to benefit from £5bn broadband fund
Political and business leaders have welcomed news that rural Dorset will be among the first areas in the country to benefit from the government’s new £5bn gigabit broadband fund. It follows months of behind-the-scenes lobbying for better broadband in Dorset, led by West Dorset MP Chris Loder and Dorset Council’s deputy leader, Cllr Peter Wharf.… Read more Dorset one of the first areas to benefit from £5bn broadband fund
Work starts on temporary harbour layout for summer 2021
Work to install this summer’s temporary measures on Custom House Quay in Weymouth will start on Monday 22 March.
Sibling madness – latest blog by Amanda (one of our brilliant foster carers)
My troupe have taken to calling themselves the quintuplets. Considering my five little ones consist of two sets of fostered siblings and my youngest home-made child.
Dorset Council sets out robust plans for summer
In order to tackle some of the more anti-social behaviours seen across the county last summer, Dorset Council has announced robust plans to help manage visitors this coming summer season.
Harbourside survey results revealed
Weymouth residents have shown widespread support for the proposed public realm improvements on Custom House Quay.
Planning convergence project hits halfway point
The project will combine the six legacy planning systems into one single software platform. 47 years of planning information has already been transferred to the new system for the former North and West District Councils.
Cabinet to consider latest version of Climate and Ecological Emergency Strategy
On Thursday 25 March, Councillors on Dorset Council’s Place and Resources Scrutiny Committee will look at the latest version of the Climate & Ecological Emergency Strategy and Action Plan, as well as the findings from the recent public consultation.
