Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Climate, Performance and Safeguarding.

(a)    That the Community Conversations approach outlined in the report to Cabinet of 3 March 2026, which supported how we work with communities to deliver the Council Plan objectives, be approved and prepared for the English Devolution and Community Empowerment legislation.

(b)    That the revised Statement of Reasonable Expectations between Dorset Council and parish and town councils be signed by the Leader of Dorset Council and adopted.

Reason for the decision

To enable Dorset Council to strengthen partnership working with town and parish councils, and key community partners including the voluntary and community sector, as we understand how to best meet community needs and improve outcomes for residents in a sustainable and effective way. This would help us deliver the objectives under ‘Communities for All’ in our council plan, and prepare for policy changes that were emerging from the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill.

The Leader of the Council presented the report, which had been considered on two occasions by the Place and Resources Overview Committee.

He further explained that the council plan set a clear objective for Dorset Council to work more closely with communities, supported by feedback from residents and partners which distinctly showed that the Council did not always join up its working practices effectively. Partners had also indicated that since becoming a unitary authority, the Council had at times, been difficult to work with.

The increase in demand and financial pressures, particularly in social care, required the council to change how it worked, by becoming more connected, focusing on prevention, and reducing demand. Similar changes were taking place across partner organisations including more integrated neighbourhood models and supporting more people to be treated and cared for at home.

The Leader continued, that these developments provided an opportunity to improve how Dorset Council worked with its partners to deliver more joined up, preventative services. The purpose of this report was to support this shift and ensure further work was informed by listening to communities and Dorset Councils’ partners.

In seconding the motion, the Cabinet Member for Customer, Culture and Community Engagement expressed support for the proposals to strengthen partnership working with town and parish councils, as well as with key community partners, including the voluntary and community sector. 

In response to a question about performance measures and monitoring progress, the Chief Executive confirmed that maintaining ongoing dialogue with town and parish councils would be critical. She added that feedback from ward members and dual hatter councillors would also be important. Formal tangible measures would come through the Council’s performance system.

Before the vote, the Leader advised that a workshop for all Councillors would be arranged in due course and an Executive Member Advisory Panel, with cross-party membership, would be established to support this development work.

It was proposed by Cllr N Ireland and seconded by Cllr R Hope

Decision

(a)    That the Community Conversations approach outlined in the report to Cabinet of 3 March 2026, which supported how we work with communities to deliver the Council Plan objectives, be approved and prepared for the English Devolution and Community Empowerment legislation.

(b)    That the revised Statement of Reasonable Expectations between Dorset Council and parish and town councils be signed by the Leader of Dorset Council and adopted.

Reason for the decision

To enable Dorset Council to strengthen partnership working with town and parish councils, and key community partners including the voluntary and community sector, as we understand how to best meet community needs and improve outcomes for residents in a sustainable and effective way. This would help us deliver the objectives under ‘Communities for All’ in our council plan, and prepare for policy changes that were emerging from the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill.