Audio recordings of issue 8 of the magazine
Recordings of the summarised magazine content
Welcome to the spring 2022 edition of Dorset Council News
Two of the matters that have the biggest impact on Dorset are our finances and how we develop the local area.
Social services represent almost two-thirds of our net spending. The government has confirmed we will receive an additional £10.4 million in 2022/23, which was more than we had anticipated. Whilst this is good news, much of this is one-off funding, so I will continue lobbying for fairer funding for Dorset.
I am also in dialogue with Government for a change to the national planning framework. The current method all councils follow is about chasing housing targets, set nationally, rather than based on sustainability and local needs.
We need a bold alternative to the way we develop our new Local Plan. I have proposed to Government that Dorset Council pilots a radically different approach, one that gives us protection from over-development and recognises the climate and ecological emergency.
I am committed to the best for Dorset and will continue to advocate on the national stage for this beautiful area and the people who live here.
Spencer Flower
Leader of Dorset Council
Our budget
Our budget for 2022/2023 has been carefully designed to prioritise the continued delivery of vital frontline services for residents.
This means more money:
- to meet the rising need and costs of social care for adults with significant or complex needs
- for improvements to support children in care and children with special educational needs and disabilities
- for the council’s response to the climate and ecological emergency
- to support the building of more affordable housing
We have set the budget against extreme national pressures resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, alongside increased prices and demand for services.
An increase of just under 3% in council tax has been agreed. This comprises 1.99% increase in general council tax and 0.996% increase for the social care precept. For a band D property, this equates to £1.02 extra a week for Dorset Council’s share of the council tax.
Did you know?
- Social care services make up nearly two thirds of our expenditure
- Dorset Council has the highest proportion of older residents aged 65+ in England
- we have around 2,300 miles of roads to maintain, whereas BCP Council has 658 miles
- as we no longer receive funding from Government, other than grants for specific services, we now have to rely on council tax for 84% of our income and retained business rates for 14%
If you feel you are struggling to pay your council tax, call customer services on 01305 221000.
Citizens Advice Dorset also offers advice and support if you are struggling with household bills.
Call freephone 0800 144 8848.
Our key achievements so far
A great deal has happened since Dorset Council was created in 2019, including the global COVID-19 pandemic.
Here are some key achievements so far.
Economic growth
- we paid out £257 million of government grants to local businesses to help keep them afloat during the COVID-19 pandemic
- we secured over £10 million from government programmes for better broadband
Suitable housing
- we’ve reduced the number of people living in bed and breakfast accommodation from over 150 to 90, helping them to move into settled homes
- we’ve exceeded our target to work with housing associations to build 300 new social homes a year for two years running
Climate and ecology
- we secured £19 million of government funding for solar panels, LED lighting, and new heating systems to reduce our carbon emissions
- over 60% of rubbish in the Dorset Council area is now recycled
Unique environment
- we’ve secured over £100 million to implement our coastal protection plan (including sea defence works) and protection against erosion
- we’ve agreed the Weymouth Harbour Wall protection scheme with government to protect the town from rising sea levels
Staying safe and well
- we focused on helping people to maintain their independence and most were able to go home straight from hospital
- we oversaw the COVID-19 vaccinations for the social care workforce in Dorset: 97% are at least double-vaccinated
Strong, healthy communities
- Children’s Services were inspected by Ofsted and rated ‘good’ with ‘outstanding leadership’
- we are investing £37.5million to increase the number and quality of places for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities
We are working hard to make the council as efficient as possible.
One new planning system
4 million documents covering 47 years’ worth of information, including planning applications, have been transferred onto one new computer system.
When we formed in 2019, there were six different planning teams from the former county, district and borough councils. They had separate computer and filing systems.
One combined team now processes planning applications for any part of Dorset, saving time.
Adult health and care
Helping a relative or friend with day-to-day tasks when they leave hospital could prevent further demands on health and social care services and free up a hospital bed.
It can also help improve or speed up their recovery.
If you could help a friend or relative when they leave hospital, please telephone 01305 221016 (lines are open Monday to Friday 8.30am to 5.00pm).
Paid carer roles in your own home
Could you open your home and family life to someone aged 16+ who needs care and support? Do you want a better work-life balance?
You don’t need formal experience as full training is provided. You can offer long or short term, respite or day support.
Find out more about Shared Lives Carers by calling 01305 221016
Do you look after someone who could not manage on their own?
Carer Support Dorset offers support and advice.
It helps unpaid carers access services, information, education and training, and breaks from a caring role.
To see how they can help you call Freephone 0800 368 8349.
A healthier, happier you
Getting active for 30 minutes a day boosts physical wellbeing and has mental health benefits: better sleep, more positive mood and reduced stress and anxiety.
There are plenty of ways to boost your fitness and mood:
- leave the car at home and walk or cycle
- gardening, vacuuming or washing the car count towards your daily activity target
- join a kick-about with the kids, play hide and seek or tag
- do a brisk 10-minute daily walk. Walk to the shops or to work
- take the stairs not the lift
Adults aged 19-64 should aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate activity, or 75 minutes of vigorous activity, a week. Children should have at least 60 minutes of activity during their day.
A problem shared
It is often easier to open up and talk when taking part in a shared activity, such as sport, gardening, crafting or just a stroll.
Men are sometimes more at ease chatting side-by-side, rather than face-to-face. This could be on a walk, run, bike ride, fishing, in a car or tackling DIY.
If you think someone you know may be struggling, these tips might help:
- ask how they are, then ask again – often we say we’re fine when we’re not.
- ask questions and listen –
- show you care
- have patience
- use open questions
- say it back – repeating things back will help reassure them you’re listening
- have courage – and keep trying if you’re worried about them
- try not to ‘find a fix’ – it’s natural to want to help but unless they’ve asked directly, try to just listen and prompt
- if you’re supporting someone who’s having a tough time, remember to take care of your wellbeing too
Recognising the impact of volunteers during COVID-19
From checking neighbours, delivering groceries and medicines, to the stewarding of testing and vaccination centres, the difference made by volunteers has been felt by many of us.
The Dorset Volunteer Heroes Awards were launched to celebrate those who have given up their time to help others.
Thank you to all of you who nominated your volunteer heroes. Each nominee will receive a special message of thanks from the Chairman of Dorset Council, and commemorative fruit trees will be planted to celebrate their involvement.
Look out for the winners of the awards this summer.
Find out more about volunteering in Dorset by calling 01305 269214
New temporary homes support rough sleepers
Our initiative with The Bus Shelter Dorset to support rough sleepers is welcoming guests to custom-built, modular, temporary homes in Weymouth.
The 12 ‘pods’ each have a bedroom and a bathroom and access to a communal kitchen and living space.
The scheme was part-funded by £188,000 from the Government’s Next Steps to Accommodation Programme. It was also supported by the Wates Foundation, which works with voluntary and charity sectors.
If you are concerned about someone sleeping rough, call 0300 500 0914.
Children and young people
Fostering is rewarding and turns a child’s life around.
We have great foster carers in Dorset but need more to look after our vulnerable children and young people.
Foster carers come from many backgrounds with different life experiences and circumstances. There are different types of fostering, including emergency, short-term or long-term.
If you are aged 21 or over and want to find out more, call 01305 225568.
Supporting Dorset’s children and young people with SEND
As part of our bold and ambitious £37.5 million plan to improve the lives of Dorset children and young people with SEND, we will open our new special school this spring.
Coombe House School, Shaftesbury has fantastic facilities. Around 60 students will join in the first year, growing to 280 students over the next five years.
We are also expanding Beaucroft School in Wimborne with an additional 80 places from September.
If you have concerns about your child
If you feel your child isn’t making the progress they should, and may have special educational needs, talk to one of our specialists.
Call Freephone 0800 14 040 41 to book a conversation with our SEND Family Workers.
Lines are open 10 to 4, Monday to Friday (term time).
Make the most of the Easter holiday
This Easter, children and young people can take part in a range of activities and holiday clubs.
Easter in Dorset is possible due to the funding from the Government’s Holiday Activity and Food programme. This funding provides thousands of free activities and meals during the holidays for children who are eligible for free school meals.
Contact the Holiday Activities team on 01305252261 to sign up
15 hours funded childcare for 2 year olds
Thousands of 2-year-old Dorset children are entitled to funded childcare.
It covers up to 15 hours of childcare a week (for 38 weeks a year) and can be used with a childminder, a pre-school or at a day nursery. Families on certain benefits, a low income, or receiving a disability living allowance, may be entitled to claim.
40th Anniversary of the Falklands War
The Falklands War lasted 74 days. 225 British personnel lost their lives.
30,000 members of the armed forces served, and many now live in Dorset.
Armed Forces Day commemoration events will take place across Dorset in June to remember all our veterans and thank serving personnel and their families.
Many veterans of conflicts, including the Falklands War, struggle with physical and mental scars, and some face life challenges or hardships.
Call Veterans’ Gateway for all welfare needs on 0808 802 1212
Grant for community projects
Grants can support community and cultural organisations to deliver new and improved facilities for a range of projects.
You can apply for between £1,000 and £25,000.
If you need help to complete the online application form, call the Dorset Digital Hotline on 01305 221048.
The Queen's Platinum Jubilee 2022
This year, the UK will celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s 70th anniversary as monarch.
An extended bank holiday weekend, from 2nd to 5th June, will see public events, and national moments of reflection. What will your community be doing?
Be aware of illegal puppy breeders
If you are buying a puppy, always check you are not buying from an illegal breeder of dogs.
Buying from a licensed breeder means we have checked the premises where your puppy currently lives, exactly where your puppy is from, that it’s not been imported and that it is healthy.
Here are some signs the breeder is responsible:
- they can provide a Local Authority licence if they’re breeding and selling as a business
- they will have genuine paperwork for vaccinations, microchipping and test results
- they will be available on the phone for a detailed conversation about the dog
- a visit can be arranged to meet the puppies, along with their mum and siblings
- they will accommodate more than one meeting to ensure you and the puppy are comfortable
Developing our library service
In October 2021, we launched a public consultation to inform how we develop and deliver our library service.
We received over 7,000 responses - thank you!
The responses will help shape the new draft strategy on how our libraries will work in the future.
Find your local library by calling customer services on 01305 221000.
Get digital support
Using a £20,000 Government grant, we are donating around 60 mobile devices and laptop computers, with up to two years’ worth of connection, to people who don’t have access to the internet.
Support from one of our volunteer digital champions will be available to help people use their device.
Some people cannot easily access everything they need online – this could be for financial reasons or because they lack the skills and confidence.
If that’s you, we do have support available. Call our Digital Hotline on 01305 221048 (Monday to Friday, 10am to midday.)
Transport plans for Dorset
This year, work will start to refresh and update the Local Transport Plan (LTP) – which sets out transport priorities for Dorset. It helps us secure Government funding for improvements.
The ambitious new plan outlines how to deliver carbon reductions in travel.
It will consider what improvements are needed:
- to support residents, businesses and tourism
- for a safe, reliable and accessible transport system
- to reduce emissions and create cleaner, quieter and healthier places
Greener, cleaner Dorset
In autumn 2021 we published the council’s first Climate and Ecological Emergency Strategy Progress Report, which showed our carbon emissions reduced by approximately 17% in 2020/21.
Our next progress report this spring will explore the challenges we face in achieving our goals. It will detail our next steps and updates on projects, including:
- the Bus Service Improvement Plan to make bus services greener, faster and more reliable
- the £19 million programme to improve efficiency and install low carbon technologies at council properties
- improving infrastructure to give people safe, healthy travel alternatives to cars
- the next phase of the electric vehicle chargepoint installation programme
Get composting
Spring is a perfect time to think about making compost for our gardens, hanging baskets and window boxes.
Composting is great for the environment. It improves soil - helping to create healthy plants and reducing the need to water and fertilise. It’s easy to make, can save money and you only need a small outdoor space.
You can add some of your inedible food waste to your compost bin. Egg shells, tea bags, coffee grounds and fruit and vegetable peelings can all go in
Twigs, grass clippings and leaves can also be added, but they will take a long time to break down if large quantities are added at one time. They may also reduce air flow in the bin, slowing the composting process.
We offer compost bins, call customer services on 01305 221000.
Dorset’s recycling rates buck the trend
The amount of waste we send for recycling, reuse or composting has risen to over 60%. In some parts of the country, the recycling rate has gone down, so we are bucking the trend!
Thank you for putting the right stuff in the right bin – it means our kerbside waste collection service continues to be a huge success!