Audio recordings of issue seven of the magazine
Recordings of the summarised magazine content
Welcome to the winter 2021 edition of Dorset Council News
Dorset is an attractive place and many people choose to retire here. 29% of our residents are aged over 65 (the national average is 19%).
While many older people are fit and well, a growing number of vulnerable older people and disabled residents need social care. Over 50% of the council’s budget is spent on providing these essential services. I’ve written to Government and continue to lobby via our MPs on the funding crisis we face in our health and social care system.
The second biggest part of the council’s budget is spent on looking after children in care and supporting children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. We are investing in the provision of more mainstream and special school places over the next five years. This will be better for children and will significantly reduce spending in the longer term.
The creation of Dorset Council in 2019 has so far saved over £25 million. We have put this back into our services and continue to reinvest further savings made as a contribution towards funding the growing demand.
Councillor Spencer Flower, Leader of Dorset Council.
Supporting our Armed Forces
There are over 58,000 veterans here and more than 31,000 veteran spouses. There are around 6,500 serving personnel in Dorset plus their families.
Through the Armed Forces Covenant, we are working with them to ensure their needs are always considered and they are not disadvantaged due to their service.
The Armed Forces could not carry out its vital role without the support of Dorset residents.
We also recognise the commitment and service the Armed Forces Community makes to Dorset. Thank you for your service!
Whether you served in Afghanistan, or in other conflicts, news of the withdrawal of military forces has significantly impacted on the wellbeing of many veterans and families.
We are committed to supporting you. Here are some organisations that can help or listen.
Op Courage
Ensures members of the Armed Forces community are supported to access services that provide health and social care support. Visit the NHS website.
Dorset Healthcare
Helps people in the Armed Forces Community access health and social care services. Visit the Dorset HealthCare website and search ‘Armed Forces’.
Veterans’ Gateway
24/7 contact for all welfare needs. From healthcare and housing to employability. Call 0808 802 1212 or visit the Veterans Gateway website.
Combat Stress
Specialist treatment and support for veterans from every service and conflict, focusing on those with complex mental health issues related to their military service. Call 0800 138 1619 or visit the Combat Stress website.
Mind
Mental health support and information.
Call 0300 123 3393 or text ‘Shout’ to 85258 (calls cost 3p to 40p per minute)
SSAFA
Welfare, health and support services, for serving personnel, veterans, and their families. Visit the SSAFA website or call 0800 260 6767.
All calls are free from landlines unless stated otherwise. At immediate risk of danger to life always call 999.
Have your say about libraries
Libraries provided a range of services and are a place for residents to:
- meet
- access the internet
- attend activities and events
- study or work
- access information
- find support for learning new skills
- borrow items such as books and DVDs
- borrow digital items (e-books, e-newspapers, and audio books)
- find information or advice
Help us shape Dorset’s library service. Your views will help us provide a modern service, for now and for the future.
Whether you are an active library user, a previous library user, or if you have not visited before - we want to hear from you!
Call customer services on 01305 221000 who can help you fill in a survey or obtain a paper survey from your local library.
To find out more and to complete our online surveys visit our consultation page.
Dorset Council Local Plan - what’s next
We continue to gather information to inform the proposals for the Dorset Council Local Plan, and are considering all the feedback from our recent consultation.
We need to make sure the plan provides Dorset residents with the homes, employment and facilities they will need over the next 17 years.
The final draft should be published in May 2022 and this will be open for comments.
See more about the Dorset Council Local Plan.
Winter service resumes
Dorset Highways are helping to keep you moving this winter with gritting crews on-call from the start of November.
The cold snaps of last year sent gritters out on 69 days.
12,700 tonnes of rock salt is in stock across our five highways depots and the gritters are serviced and ready for action!
Wildlife-friendly recreation
From October to March, over 20,000 birds return to Poole Harbour from places like Siberia, Iceland and Canada. These birds flock to our shores to feast and rest.
Poole Harbour’s Bird and Recreation Initiative has been set up to promote wildlife-friendly recreation and raise awareness of bird disturbance.
Look out for wardens in Poole Harbour who are sharing tips on enjoying the coastline while birdlife can feed and flourish. Learn more at www.dorsetheaths.org.uk/rspb-dorset-heathland
Plan for your future
Have you, and your family, made plans for the future?
A Will, Lasting Power of Attorney and decisions about what you would like to happen should you need care and support, are important to have in place now, so you can plan your finances and make informed decisions. Unlike the NHS, social care isn’t free. Find help to plan.
Want to work from home? Be a Shared Lives Carer
Shared Lives Carers open their own homes and hearts and invite someone who needs care and support to share in family life.
We need more people to become Shared Lives Carers in Dorset to help people aged 16-plus who want to live independently with the support of a family and community of their choosing.
You can work from home, receive payment for every placement and choose whether you support someone long-term, for short breaks or day opportunities.
Find out more about this rewarding and flexible career.
What are we doing about homelessness?
Dorset Council has a legal responsibility for tackling and preventing homelessness.
In July, we adopted a new five-year strategy to tackle the pressures of homelessness and rough sleeping in Dorset.
Many people find themselves homeless, perhaps through loss of job, relationship or family breakdown or because their landlord has decided to no longer let their property.
Anyone who is homeless, or at risk of becoming homeless, should contact customer services on 01305 221000 or Dorset Citizens Advice on freephone 0800 144 8848 as soon as possible.
See more information about homelessness.
Could you foster a child or young person?
Dorset’s foster carers have been doing fantastic work throughout the pandemic – with residents becoming new foster carers, but we still need more.
As a foster carer you’ll receive support and a financial allowance.
You’ll also have the chance to make a real difference to the life of a young person. What could be more rewarding? Find out more about fostering.
Can you help Dorset’s care leavers?
We have joined the national Care Leaver Covenant, but it needs more organisations to sign up.
Many care leavers face the challenges of pursuing their studies or finding employment
often without the support of family and friends.
Our aim is to get our wider community to provide more support through:
- education and training
- life, financial and career guidance
- opportunities to broaden horizons e.g. access to sport, leisure and culture
- encouraging involvement in activities which inspire personal interests and widen employment prospects
Contact the Care Leavers team on 01305 225809 or visit the My Covenant website.
Headteacher joins our new school
Katie Charles is looking forward to welcoming pupils to our new school which opens in Shaftesbury in 2022.
Coombe House School has been developed with fantastic facilities to improve the lives of Dorset children with SEND (special educational needs and/or disabilities) and reduce future costs. Around 280 pupils with SEND will be educated at the new school.
Katie said: “I can’t wait to see pupils enjoying their learning at this amazing site.”
On the former St Mary’s School site, Coombe House will also be a national centre of learning for professionals working with vulnerable children and young people
The new school is part of our wider £37.5 million plan to improve the lives of Dorset children with SEND. More provision will also be created at existing special and mainstream schools.
That was a happy and healthy summer!
Children and young people had a fun ‘Summer in Dorset’ thanks to schools, community organisations, volunteers and council workers.
They enjoyed a happy and healthy programme of activities, and nutritious meals. By being part-funded by the Department for Education’s Holiday Activity and Food programme, all children eligible for free school meals could access free activities.
We provided over 18,000 sessions, across 50 locations.
We will continue funded sessions for the upcoming Christmas holidays, and hopefully each major holiday beyond.
Show your appreciation for Dorset’s volunteer heroes
Throughout the pandemic, the efforts made by volunteers have been essential for helping people stay safe and for keeping our communities going.
From checking in on neighbours, delivering groceries and medicines, making friendly phone calls to those feeling isolated, to stewarding vaccination centres – many people have benefited from the kindness of a volunteer.
Here in Dorset more than 3,000 people supported their fellow residents. More than 160 community groups sprang up overnight to offer vital support for local people.
Your chance to say thank you
We have launched the Dorset Volunteer Heroes Awards to say thank you to all those who have made a difference and to formally recognise their efforts and achievements.
If someone made a difference to you during the pandemic, or there is someone close to you who you think should be recognised, the Dorset Volunteer Heroes Awards is your chance to say thank you.
This could be:
- an individual volunteer hero
- a young volunteer hero (under age 25)
- a heroic community group
If you would like to nominate someone, we will need you to tell us why you are nominating them and their contact details.
Make your nomination by 31 January 2022.
Find out more and make your nomination.
Have you had your flu vaccine?
The flu vaccine is being offered free on the NHS to:
- those 50 and over (including those who’ll be 50 by 31 March 2022)
- those who have certain health conditions
- those who are pregnant
- those who are in a long-stay residential care
- those who receive a carer’s allowance, or are the main carer for an older or disabled person who may be at risk if you get sick
- those who live with someone who is more likely to get infections
- frontline health or social care workers
- those aged 2 or 3 on 31 August 2021
- all primary school aged children and all children in school years 7 -11.
Contact your GP, pharmacist or midwife about getting a flu jab.
The COVID-19 booster vaccination programme is running alongside this year’s flu vaccinations.
When did you last have your blood pressure checked?
Adults over 40 should have their blood pressure tested at least every five years so problems can be detected early. This can be done by your GP or at some pharmacies.
High blood pressure usually has no symptoms and the first sign could be a heart attack or stroke.
LiveWell Dorset, a free health and wellbeing service, can help you lower your blood pressure by supporting you to make lifestyle changes. Telephone 01305 233 105
Monday - Friday 9am – 6.30pm. Discover more or book a free health MOT.
If you become ill call 111. In an emergency always call 999.
Feeling stressed, worried or low is normal. Here are some organisations that can help you:
- Connection - free 24/7 mental health helpline. Call 111 and select ‘mental health’ or phone 0300 123 5440
- Mind – call 0300 123 3393 (local rate from landline, cost of mobile calls may vary)
- Samaritans have a confidential 24 hour helpline. It’s free to phone on 116 123
It is not okay for your partner to hurt or threaten you. If you are affected by domestic abuse, call free on 0800 032 5204.
Give the gift of a warm Christmas
If you receive a Winter Fuel Payment but can manage without it, you could donate it to support Dorset residents who need extra help.
We are supporting Dorset Community Foundation’s Surviving Winter appeal, which provides individual grants of up to £200 for people who face the choice between eating well and keeping homes warm.
To donate telephone 01202 670815 or visit the Dorset Community Foundation website.
If you cannot help financially, an easy way to make a difference is by checking in with neighbours. If you’re feeling isolated yourself, it’s a good way to break the ice and get to know each other.
If you can afford to, think about donating to your local foodbank next time you do your grocery shop.
If you need support yourself, are over 50 and in fuel poverty, please leave a message on the Citizens Advice Energy Referral Line on 01929 775500.
If you are struggling to pay your rent, mortgage, debts or other bills Dorset Citizens
Advice Adviceline can help. Call Freephone 0800 144 8848.
Visit our Reaching Out pages for more details, including financial support, food banks, housing, relationships and wellbeing.
Free digital advice on the phone and in libraries
Need technical advice or help? Then our volunteer digital champions can assist you in libraries and community centres across the county.
You can telephone a champion for advice on the Dorset Digital Hotline (01305 221048) 10am to midday, weekdays.
Find out more about how to get online with our Digital Champions.
Climate and Ecological Emergency Strategy and Action Plan
In July, an updated version of our Climate and Ecological Emergency Strategy and Action Plan was approved.
Following public consultation, the strategy was amended to include many of the issues you raised. The strategy will be reviewed as progress is made, new technologies emerge and more funding secured.
The Climate and Ecological Emergency Strategy Progress Report, published this autumn, demonstrates what council services are doing, including:
- introducing measures to protect and enhance Dorset’s natural assets, including management of verges and open spaces
- banning barbeques and fires at our country parks and high-risk areas
- supporting over 100 businesses and other organisations to reduce their emissions and energy costs
- new pop-up markets in Dorchester, Weymouth and Bovington
The progress report also recognises how the COVID-19 pandemic brought the council’s working practices forward many years, with things like working from home. Our business mileage reduced by nearly 60% and we saw a 21% reduction in energy use in our buildings from 2019/20 to 2020/21.
We are now focussing on a mix of office working and home working. This will reduce office space required and commuting and travel.
There’s more to do. Another report next spring will look at the challenges in achieving our goals and set out what’s next.
Find out more about the Climate and Ecological Emergency Strategy and Action Plan
Christmas rubbish and recycling
With Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day falling on the weekend this year, your rubbish and recycling collections over the festive period will be on your usual day.
Refer to your calendar or use our online bin collection tool to check your collection days.
- we will collect up to two extra sacks of rubbish beside your bin on your first rubbish collection after Christmas Day
- no garden waste collections will take place from Christmas Day until Monday 10 January
- household recycling centres are open 9am to 4pm daily, except Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day
- extra recycling, including glass and food, will be collected on your recycling collection day, provided it has been separated correctly and placed in a suitable sturdy container that can be easily lifted by one person
See what items can be recycled at the kerbside.
Remember you can recycle:
- cooked and uncooked food using your food waste bin
- wrapping paper (not foil or glittery paper, please)
- cardboard and recyclable packaging (not polystyrene)
- Christmas cards and envelopes
Dorset Council does not collect Christmas trees of any kind with your rubbish or recycling.
You can recycle your real Christmas tree by:
- home composting it
- cutting it up and placing it in your garden waste bin
- taking it to a household recycling centre
- booking a Christmas tree collection with a Dorset-based charity or service