Agenda, decisions and minutes

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 21 April 2026.

The minutes of the meeting held on 21 April 2026 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

To disclose any pecuniary, other registrable or non-registrable interest as set out in the adopted Code of Conduct. In making their disclosure councillors are asked to state the agenda item, the nature of the interest and any action they propose to take as part of their declaration.

If required, further advice should be sought from the Monitoring Officer in advance of the meeting.

There were no declarations of interest to report.

Representatives of town or parish councils and members of the public who live, work, or represent an organisation within the Dorset Council area are welcome to submit either 1 question or 1 statement for each meeting.  You are welcome to attend the meeting in person or via MS Teams to read out your question and to receive the response.   If you submit a statement for the committee this will be circulated to all members of the committee in advance of the meeting as a supplement to the agenda and appended to the minutes for the formal record but will not be read out at the meeting. The first 8 questions and the first 8 statements received from members of the public or organisations for each meeting will be accepted on a first come first served basis in accordance with the deadline set out below.  Further information read Public Participation - Dorset Council

All submissions must be emailed in full to [email protected]  by 8.30am on Thursday 14 May 2026.

When submitting your question or statement please note that:

•         You can submit 1 question or 1 statement.

•         a question may include a short pre-amble to set the context.

•         It must be a single question and any sub-divided questions will not be permitted.

•         Each question will consist of no more than 450 words, and you will be given up to 3 minutes to present your question.

•         when submitting a question please indicate who the question is for (e.g., the name of the committee or Portfolio Holder)

•         Include your name, address, and contact details.  Only your name will be published but we may need your other details to contact you about your question or statement in advance of the meeting.

•         questions and statements received in line with the council’s rules for public participation will be published as a supplement to the agenda.

•         all questions, statements and responses will be published in full within the minutes of the meeting.  

There was one question from the public.  A copy of the full question and the detailed response is set out in Appendix 1 to these minutes.

To receive questions submitted by councillors.  

Councillors can submit up to two valid questions at each meeting and sub divided questions count towards this total.   Questions and statements received will be published as a supplement to the agenda and all questions, statements and responses will be published in full within the minutes of the meeting. 

The submissions must be emailed in full to [email protected]  8.30am on Thursday 14 May 2026 . 

Dorset Council Constitution – Procedure Rule 13 

There was one question from Councillor R Crabb; this along with the response is set out in Appendix 2 to these minutes.

To consider the Cabinet Forward Plan.

The draft Cabinet Forward Plan for June 2026 was received and noted.

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Place Services.

(a)    That the approach to the flooding investigations set out in the report of 19 May 2026, including the use of Strategic Flood Investigations and Community Flood Reviews in accordance with the proposed framework, be approved.

(b)    That the areas for flooding investigations (at set out in Appendix A of the report), be approved, comprising:

a.      A Dorset-wide strategic overview report that looks at flooding issues in Dorset’s three main river catchment areas.

b.      Strategic/Detailed Flood Investigations in accordance with the proposed criteria described in this report.

c.      Community Flood Reviews where a Section 19 investigation is otherwise considered appropriate. 

(c)    That a capital budget of £5 million be allocated for flooding resilience measures, including but not limited to addressing the outcomes of Section 19 investigations; and

(d)    Authority be delegated to the Executive Director for Regeneration, Infrastructure and Growth, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Place Services and the Section 151 Officer, to authorise expenditure from that capital budget, with any individual scheme with a value exceeding £500,000 to be reported to Cabinet for specific approval.

Reason for the decision

To fulfil Dorset Council’s statutory duty to investigate significant flooding while providing clear, localised guidance, coordinating partner action across catchments and highways, and targeting evidence‑based investment to strengthen flood resilience and secure additional funding.

The Cabinet Member for Place Services advised that the report outlined how Dorset Council was working with communities to learn from the significant flooding experienced during the winter of 2025-26 and to strengthen local resilience for the future.  A £9.25 million programme was underway, following the widespread disruption caused by exceptional rainfall, including Storm Chandra.

As the Lead Local Flood Authority, the Council proposed a clear approach to investigating flooding through strategic and community-level report. Working closely with residents and partners, this would focus on practical actions, immediate improvements and longer-term solutions to help communities better prepare for future challenges.

It was proposed by Cllr J Andrews and seconded by Cllr M Bell

Decision

(a)    That the approach to the flooding investigations set out in the report of 19 May 2026, including the use of Strategic Flood Investigations and Community Flood Reviews in accordance with the proposed framework, be approved.

(b)    That the areas for flooding investigations (at set out in Appendix A of the report), be approved, comprising:

a.      A Dorset-wide strategic overview report that looks at flooding issues in Dorset’s three main river catchment areas.

b.      Strategic/Detailed Flood Investigations in accordance with the proposed criteria described in this report.

c.      Community Flood Reviews where a Section 19 investigation is otherwise considered appropriate. 

(c)    That a capital budget of £5 million be allocated for flooding resilience measures, including but not limited to addressing the outcomes of Section 19 investigations; and

(d)    Authority be delegated to the Executive Director for Regeneration, Infrastructure and Growth, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Place Services and the Section 151 Officer, to authorise expenditure from that capital budget, with any individual scheme with a value exceeding £500,000 to be reported to Cabinet for specific approval.

Reason for the decision

To fulfil Dorset Council’s statutory duty to investigate significant flooding while providing clear, localised guidance, coordinating partner action across catchments and highways, and targeting evidence‑based investment to strengthen flood resilience and secure additional funding.

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Place Services.

(a)    That funding of £2.5 million as a capital grant for the New Option of Swanage Town Council’s Green Seafront Ground Stabilisation Project be approved; and, authority be delegated to agree the terms and enter into a grant agreement for this purpose to the Executive Director for Regeneration, Infrastructure and Growth in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Place Services and Dorset Council’s Section 151 Officer.

(b)    That the allocation of £2.5 million funding from the Local Transport Grant for the Shore Road Highway Improvement Project, be approved; and, authority be delegated to the Executive Director for Regeneration, Infrastructure and Growth in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Place Services to update the Highway Improvements Capital Programme.

Reason for the decision

The decision promotes targeted investment in two complementary Swanage seafront projects that enhance safety, accessibility and public spaces while strengthening coastal resilience, supporting communities and boosting the local economy.

The Cabinet Member for Place Services introduced the report highlighting the importance of Swanage’s seafront to the town’s identity, economy and community, and the growing risks it faced from ground instability, accessibility, challenges and climate change.

He advised that Dorset Council and Swanage Town Council had worked in partnership to bring forward two complementary projects to address these issues.

The Leader of the Council welcomed Cllr G Suttle and Cllr C Tomes as the local ward members for Swanage. They expressed their support for the proposal, highlighting the benefits of both the Green Seafront project along with the Shore Road project that would enhance pedestrian safety and the quality of a key seafront route.

Members acknowledged that these schemes represented a coordinated £5 million investment by Dorset Council, to support wider funding secured by the Town Council ensuring that Swanage could continue to thrive for residents, visitors and the wider community.

It was proposed by Cllr J Andrews and seconded by Cllr B Wilson.

Decision

(a)    That funding of £2.5 million as a capital grant for the New Option of Swanage Town Council’s Green Seafront Ground Stabilisation Project be approved; and, authority be delegated to agree the terms and enter into a grant agreement for this purpose to the Executive Director for Regeneration, Infrastructure and Growth in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Place Services and Dorset Council’s Section 151 Officer.

(b)    That the allocation of £2.5 million funding from the Local Transport Grant for the Shore Road Highway Improvement Project, be approved; and, authority be delegated to the Executive Director for Regeneration, Infrastructure and Growth in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Place Services to update the Highway Improvements Capital Programme.

Reason for the decision

The decision promotes targeted investment in two complementary Swanage seafront projects that enhance safety, accessibility and public spaces while strengthening coastal resilience, supporting communities and boosting the local economy.

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

That Cabinet endorse the vision and principles of a modern, sustainable unitary council and the overall journey required to achieve this.

Reason for the decision

To ensure members understand the proposed direction, how it supported delivery of council priorities, and how it aligned with existing change programmes. To ensure members were sighted on how this organisational journey would develop over time, with appropriate links to democratic processes built in.

The Leader of the Council introduced the report stating that Dorset Council was operating in a time of significant change. The demand for services was rising, resources remained limited, and expectations of public institutions were shifting. Alongside this social, technological and policy change was accelerating, meaning traditional ways of working were no longer sufficient to meet the needs of residents or sustain services in the long term.

In response to a question about duplication of work and the potential for a mechanism enabling councillors to report such issues to the relevant officers, the Leader agreed to take the matter away for further consideration.

The Chief Executive advised that the council had an ambitious plan and to succeed it must be outcome focused, aligned across services and with its partners. 

Cabinet Members unanimously spoke in support of the report, the vision and welcomed the focus on long-term sustainability through improvement and position changes across the council. 

It was proposed by Cllr N Ireland seconded by Cllr R Biggs

Decision

That Cabinet endorse the vision and principles of a modern, sustainable unitary council and the overall journey required to achieve this.

Reason for the decision

To ensure members understand the proposed direction, how it supported delivery of council priorities, and how it aligned with existing change programmes. To ensure members were sighted on how this organisational journey would develop over time, with appropriate links to democratic processes built in.

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Finance & Capital Strategy.

Cabinet agreed

(a)           To delegate authority to the relevant Cabinet Member, after consultation with the relevant Executive Director or Director, to:

(b)           To begin each of the procurement procedures (or variation) listed in Appendix 1 of the report of 19 May 2026 (subject to an approved and available budget); and

(c)           Final procurement documentation developed within the broad scope set out in the procurement briefing notes (available on request); and

(d)           Contract award (via a recommendation to award report / Executive Decision as appropriate) provided the tender outcome is within + 5% of the budget agreed with Finance when each project begins subject to agreement of the Section 151 Officer in consultation with the Cabinet member for Resources & Finance.

(e)           To support continued early engagement with Commercial & Procurement for higher‑value and higher‑risk activity. Cabinet endorsed the use of the pipeline as a key governance and assurance tool.

Reason for the decision

Delegation supported timely, well‑planned and compliant procurement by improving visibility, prioritisation and resource use, while strengthening audit assurance and allowing significant matters to be escalated to Cabinet.

To ensure compliance with: Procurement Act 2023 and Dorset Council Contract Procedure Rules.

The Cabinet Member for Resources and Finance presented a report outlining a forward view of planned and known procurement activity expected to exceed £500,000, which required approval as Key Decision prior to commencement. The report supported good governance, transparency and forward planning and the appendix set out the indicative pipeline of procurements and contract variations above the threshold.

It was proposed by Cllr S Clifford and seconded by Cllr J Andrews

Decision

Cabinet agreed

(a)           To delegate authority to the relevant Cabinet Member, after consultation with the relevant Executive Director or Director, to:

(b)           To begin each of the procurement procedures (or variation) listed in Appendix 1 of the report of 19 May 2026 (subject to an approved and available budget); and

(c)           Final procurement documentation developed within the broad scope set out in the procurement briefing notes (available on request); and

(d)           Contract award (via a recommendation to award report / Executive Decision as appropriate) provided the tender outcome is within + 5% of the budget agreed with Finance when each project begins subject to agreement of the Section 151 Officer in consultation with the Cabinet member for Resources & Finance.

(e)           To support continued early engagement with Commercial & Procurement for higher‑value and higher‑risk activity. Cabinet endorsed the use of the pipeline as a key governance and assurance tool.

Reason for the decision

Delegation supported timely, well‑planned and compliant procurement by improving visibility, prioritisation and resource use, while strengthening audit assurance and allowing significant matters to be escalated to Cabinet.

To ensure compliance with: Procurement Act 2023 and Dorset Council Contract Procedure Rules.

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Health and Housing.

(a)           That the work completed to establish the Public Health teams within Dorset and BCP councils and the continued good performance in line with statutory responsibilities for Public Health, as set out in the 2012 Health and Social Care Act, be endorsed.

(b)           That the proposed principles for the planned joint commissioning of Public Health services, where this makes sense to continue to do so, to maintain service quality, performance, efficiency and value for money for the residents of Dorset, be agreed.

(c)            To agree the principle that where commissioning and procurement decisions were required for any services that remain jointly provided, the lead commissioning authority’s decision making and governance route would be followed.  This included respecting thresholds where Cabinet agreement was required under that lead authority’s scheme of delegation.

(d)           That the proposed future direction for the delivery of public health functions and services through the two Public Health teams in Dorset and BCP council, be agreed.

(e)           That responsibilities for decisions associated with future procurement approaches, where Dorset Council leads, be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Public Health, Prevention & Communities, in consultation with the Executive Director for Housing, Communities.

Reason for the decision

It has been a year since two new Public Health teams were established in BCP and Dorset Councils. The paper and recommendations provided updates to elected members on the progress establishing the new Public Health teams. They provided an overview of the preferred options for how we intend to commission and provide Public Health functions and services in the future.

It was timely to review and set the future ambitions for the Public Health functions and services over the coming years in line with the 3-year indicative ring-fenced grant allocation and the ambitions set out within the Dorset Council Plan.

The Cabinet Member for Public Health, Prevention and Communities set out the report updating members on progress following the disaggregation of Public Health Dorset in April 2025 and the establishment of separate Public Health teams within Dorset Council and Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council. The report also set out the proposed future direction of the delivery and commissioning of Public Health functions and services, including areas where joint working should continue.

Members were further advised that the report was broadly supported by the People & Health Overview Committee at its meeting on 29 April 2026, and a similar paper was being considered by BCP Council.

It was proposed by Cllr M Bell seconded by Cllr N Ireland.

Decision

(a)           That the work completed to establish the Public Health teams within Dorset and BCP councils and the continued good performance in line with statutory responsibilities for Public Health, as set out in the 2012 Health and Social Care Act, be endorsed.

(b)           That the proposed principles for the planned joint commissioning of Public Health services, where this makes sense to continue to do so, to maintain service quality, performance, efficiency and value for money for the residents of Dorset, be agreed.

(c)            To agree the principle that where commissioning and procurement decisions were required for any services that remain jointly provided, the lead commissioning authority’s decision making and governance route would be followed.  This included respecting thresholds where Cabinet agreement was required under that lead authority’s scheme of delegation.

(d)           That the proposed future direction for the delivery of public health functions and services through the two Public Health teams in Dorset and BCP council, be agreed.

(e)           That responsibilities for decisions associated with future procurement approaches, where Dorset Council leads, be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Public Health, Prevention & Communities, in consultation with the Executive Director for Housing, Communities.

Reason for the decision

It has been a year since two new Public Health teams were established in BCP and Dorset Councils. The paper and recommendations provided updates to elected members on the progress establishing the new Public Health teams. They provided an overview of the preferred options for how we intend to commission and provide Public Health functions and services in the future.

It was timely to review and set the future ambitions for the Public Health functions and services over the coming years in line with the 3-year indicative ring-fenced grant allocation and the ambitions set out within the Dorset Council Plan.

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Education and Skills.

(a)           That a maximum spend limit of £1.3million on this contract be approved, which would ensure our children and young people had access to an advocate or Independent Visitor in accordance with our local authority responsibilities.

(b)           That authority be delegated to the Executive Director for Children's Services in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education to negotiate and authorise any further contract extensions or amendments subject to the spend limit in as set out in (a) above.

Reason for the decision

Approval was sought to increase the contract spend limit and cover extended demand for Dorset’s Advocacy and Independent Visitor Service, reflecting higher than anticipated usage and future growth beyond the original Cabinet-approved value and term.

The Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education presented a report outlining the council’s statutory duties to ensure that children in care, care leavers and other vulnerable young people had access to independent advocacy to support them in decisions that affect their lives, as well as independent visitors to provide consistent and supportive relationships.

Cabinet had previously approved an indicative budget of £500,000 for this contracted service in 2023. The report provided an update on the procurement and award of the contract, emphasising the importance of maintaining high-quality provision to meet legal requirements and support positive outcomes for young people. It was noted that the contract awarded in April 2024 would exceed the original estimate should the optional extensions through to 2027 be taken up.

Therefore, Cabinet was asked to approve an increase in the maximum contract spend to 1.3 million to take the contract to 2030.

It was proposed by Cllr C Sutton and seconded by Cllr S Clifford.

Decision

(a)           That a maximum spend limit of £1.3million on this contract be approved, which would ensure our children and young people had access to an advocate or Independent Visitor in accordance with our local authority responsibilities.

(b)           That authority be delegated to the Executive Director for Children's Services in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education to negotiate and authorise any further contract extensions or amendments subject to the spend limit in as set out in (a) above.

Reason for the decision

Approval was sought to increase the contract spend limit and cover extended demand for Dorset’s Advocacy and Independent Visitor Service, reflecting higher than anticipated usage and future growth beyond the original Cabinet-approved value and term.

To consider any items of business which the Chairman has had prior notification and considers to be urgent pursuant to section 100B (4) b) of the Local Government Act 1972. The reason for the urgency shall be recorded in the minutes.

There were no urgent items considered at the meeting.

To move the exclusion of the press and the public for the following item in view of the likely disclosure of exempt information within the meaning of paragraph x of schedule 12 A to the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended). The public and the press will be asked to leave the meeting whilst the item of business is considered.  

There are no exempt items scheduled for this meeting.  

There was no exempt business for this meeting.