The Council and Dorset must deliver at pace and scale for climate, nature and resilience – and ensure the transition is delivered fairly so that all are protected and benefit.
We need to think long-term and across systems – leading by example through the Council’s Operational Programme for things we directly control, whilst enabling and influencing others through our Facilitation Programme. These will continue to be reported on biannually to the Council’s Scrutiny Committee.
Importantly, delivery cannot be achieved by the council alone, so we need to empower and influence others locally and nationally using the skills and resources of wider stakeholders. Our partners and communities will be key to delivery. We will facilitate and enable work alongside key system partners like regulators and utilities companies, Dorset’s town and parish councils, community groups, and through key strategic partnerships (like our Public Sector Decarbonisation Group, Local Enterprise Partnership, Local Nature Partnership, Dorset Coast Forum, Catchment Partnerships, and Urban Heath Partnership).
To find out how to take action, check out what you can do on the Council’s webpages.
The following cross-cutting levers outline the components of the Council’s approach, each of which are relevant to delivering every mission below:
Leadership, Governance and Decision-making
We will enable leadership that sets a clear mandate and a positive example, strengthen governance and delivery structures for the Council’s operational and facilitation programmes, and provide decision-making tools to mainstream it in all key projects, programmes, and strategies.
Strategy and Policy
We will align key corporate and place-based strategies and policies (such as our new Local Plan, Local Transport Plan, asset management approach, pensions scheme, and others) and ensure that policy is being used to maximal effect through further guidance where necessary. We will also engage to influence key external policies and strategies (e.g., Water Resource Management Plans).
Partnerships and Community Empowerment
We will engage and facilitate public, private and voluntary sector partners, local councils, community groups, and households. This will include working with key system partners, enabling effective strategic partnerships, and enabling local place-based partnerships and initiatives.
Resourcing and Investment
We will enable revenue and capital resource for delivery, monitoring and evidence – including core resourcing, seeking external grant funding, revenue generation opportunities, catalysing private finance, enabling crowdfunding, and encouraging the uptake of funding opportunities by key stakeholders (like ELMs).
Green and Blue Jobs and Skills
We will support the Green and Blue Economy, extending beyond renewables to nature-based and resilience-related roles, and critically including our rural economy given the central importance of our agri-fisheries businesses. We will encourage investment in local green businesses and jobs by embedding it in Dorset’s economic strategies and projects. We will also work with skills providers to embed it in education and training programmes; and help to address critical practical capability for areas like the deployment of zero carbon measures, nature-positive land management, and secondary services like advice or monitoring.
Procurement
We will explore opportunities to optimise procurement and commissioning so that contracts, purchasing and leasing help to cut carbon, maximise energy and water efficiency, cut waste and materials use, avoid pollution, maximise opportunities for nature recovery, and enable a climate resilient supply chain.
Lobbying and Advocacy
We will lobby Government, regulators, and other key stakeholders on the key barriers to delivery, through engagement, consultation and forum input – including for resourcing, strengthening of national targets, aligning wider policy, devolution and stronger incentives, regulations and designations.
Communications and Behaviour Change
We will inspire, encourage and guide personal and professional behaviours and practices, directly or indirectly through champions and peers. We will also grow understanding of the issues and opportunities, and enable informed choices (e.g., on energy and water use, land management, and food).
Data, Monitoring and Reporting
We will acquire, improve, and share robust data on energy and emissions (including potentially Scope 3), waste and materials management, natural assets, and climate vulnerability; and we will enable key research to fill strategic gaps on our baseline, scenario modelling, pressures or opportunities (including mapping).