This Council Plan is still in draft and has not yet been officially approved. Following further feedback and changes, the final version of the Council Plan will be adopted and published here in December.

This Council Plan 2024-2029 sets out our vision for the future Dorset. It outlines our vision and strategic priorities, setting the council’s direction for the next 5 years. 

Our strategic priorities are designed to address the key issues facing Dorset, while continuing to provide the essential everyday services we know people rely on. 

Dorset is rich in natural beauty, history, and community spirit, with a stunning and diverse natural environment. 85% of our residents are satisfied with their local area as a place to live, compared to the national average of 75%. 

However, we face some significant and complex challenges. The climate and nature emergency, scarcity of affordable housing, poor economic growth, health inequalities, and lack of social mobility.  

These are challenges affecting the whole country and require significant investment and support from central government. Dorset Council and its partners have an equally important role to play in addressing them and improving the lives and wellbeing of residents. 

We have a vital role in shaping the FUTURE for the people and county of Dorset over the next 10, 20 and 50 years. 

This Council Plan sets out what we want to achieve in the next 5 years, with an eye to the horizon; ensuring we work together to create a fairer, more prosperous and more sustainable Dorset for current and future generations. 

Cllr Nick Ireland
Leader of Dorset Council