Agenda, decisions and minutes

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 19 May 2026.

The minutes of the meeting held on 19 May 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 18 June 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 were two questions from the public.  A copy of the full questions and the detailed responses are 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 18 June 2026. 

Dorset Council Constitution – Procedure Rule 13 

There were no questions from Councillors to report.

To consider the draft Cabinet Forward Plan.

The Cabinet Forward Plan for July was received and noted.

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

(a)    That the draft revenue and capital outturn and the financial performance for the year ended 31 March 2026, be noted.

(b)    That the movement of the £0.169m surplus at the year end to general reserves be approved.

Reason for the decision

Although the report was primarily for noting the outturn position, Cabinet’s approval was required for the transfer of the £0.169m surplus to general reserves.

While the report did not seek Cabinet approval of the outturn, the financial position at 31 March 2026 was critical in informing the next Medium-Term Financial Plan (MTFP) update and the development of the 2027/28 and 2028/29 budget strategy, in line with the multi-year settlement announced in 2025/26.

In addition to reporting outturn, with the financial performance for the year materially complete, it was important for Cabinet to review the risks the organisation now faces and to consider areas where it wishes to make strategic investments and/or to repurpose and prioritise its reserves to facilitate these aims.

The Leader of the Council presented the report, including, in his absence, a video introduction from the Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources. He set out the Council’s draft outturn position for 2025/26, noting that, in simple terms, the Council had ended the year in a broadly balanced position, with a small underspend of £0.169 million. This was a notable milestone, as it represented the first underspend achieved since Dorset Council became a unitary authority.

However, the Leader cautioned that this positive headline figure should be viewed in context, as outlined in the report, with several major service areas continuing to experience underlying financial pressures. Members were asked to note the financial performance for the year ended 31 March 2026 and to approve the movement of the £0.169m surplus to the year end to general reserve.

It was proposed by Cllr N Ireland and seconded by Cllr J Andrews

Decision

(a)    That the draft revenue and capital outturn and the financial performance for the year ended 31 March 2026, be noted.

(b)    That the movement of the £0.169m surplus at the year end to general reserves be approved.

Reason for the decision

Although the report was primarily for noting the outturn position, Cabinet’s approval was required for the transfer of the £0.169m surplus to general reserves.

While the report did not seek Cabinet approval of the outturn, the financial position at 31 March 2026 was critical in informing the next Medium-Term Financial Plan (MTFP) update and the development of the 2027/28 and 2028/29 budget strategy, in line with the multi-year settlement announced in 2025/26.

In addition to reporting outturn, with the financial performance for the year materially complete, it was important for Cabinet to review the risks the organisation now faces and to consider areas where it wishes to make strategic investments and/or to repurpose and prioritise its reserves to facilitate these aims.

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Resources and Finance.

The Leader of the Council presented a report on a review of the Capital Programme, which had been undertaken at the request of the Cabinet Member of Finance and Resources. He explained that the purpose of the review was to move away from an extensive list of aspirations and instead reshape the programme to focus on what the Council could realistically deliver within the year. That involved right sizing the programme to reflect organisational capacity and ensure that all capital investment proposals were supported by robust business cases. The report set out in detail how this approach would be implemented. 

It was proposed by Cllr N Ireland and seconded by Cllr S Robinson

Recommendation to Full Council

(a)       That the new structured approval framework for capital projects, as outlined in Appendix A of the report to Cabinet of 23 June 2026, be approved.

(b)       That a fundamental reset of the capital programme, including removal of legacy, stalled, and inactive schemes, be endorsed.

(c)       That the “Standing items” to be included in the capital programme, as shown in Appendix B of the report, be approved.

(d)       That the revised “Approved capital schemes” to be included in the capital programme, as shown in Appendix of the report, be approved.

(e)       That the increase to the Capital Contingency budget from £2m to £10m, funded from the removal of stalled, low-value and legacy schemes with no recent activity, be approved.

Reason for the decision

The decision aimed to ensure the Capital Programme remains deliverable, affordable, and aligned with the Council’s priorities. Over time, the programme has grown in scale and complexity, making it more challenging to manage and increasing pressure on financial planning, borrowing, and governance arrangements.

The proposed reset introduced a more structured approach by removing inactive schemes, clarifying programme categories, and strengthening oversight and approvals. Alongside an increased Capital Contingency and revised approval framework to support more efficient delivery of smaller schemes, this would enable a more sustainable and well-managed programme that reflects organisational capacity and met audit and Member expectations.

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Economic Growth & Strategic Assets.

Please note that an exempt appendix associated with this report is set out at item 18 below.

(a)                    That the capital budget of £4.3 million and funding allocations to projects set out in the Business Case within Appendix A of the Cabinet report dated 23 June 2026 be approved.

(b)                    That authority be delegated to the Executive Director, Economy and Environment in consultation with the Executive Director, Children’s Services, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Economic Growth and Strategic Assets and Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education and, together with the Director Resources to procure and award contracts or release agreed funding to third parties delivering projects, for any Phase 2 Inclusion Hub as set out in the Business Case at Appendix A of this Cabinet report, provided the project costs are contained within the programme budget.

(c)                    That the High Needs Block revenue allocation of £2m per year recurrent, as set out in the Business Case within Appendix A of this Cabinet report dated 23 June 2026 be approved.  This has been factored into Dorset’s High Needs Block SEND reform modelling.  Inclusion Hub places are approximately £19.5k per annum compared with an independent placement in the region of £64k per annum.

(d)                    That authority be delegated to the Executive Director, Children’s Services, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education and the Director, Resources to release high needs revenue funding to third parties operating any Phase 2 Inclusion Hub as set out in the Business Case at Appendix A of this Cabinet report, provided the funds are within the high needs revenue allocation.

Reason for the decision

1.      To ensure that the projects can move forward at pace, to provide cost savings and improve the sufficiency of SEND placements and support.

2.      To ensure appropriate oversight and authority is in place to allow projects to progress through from inception to delivery.

3.      To evidence delivery against the SEND Local Reform Plan.

The Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Economic Growth & Strategic Assets set out a report seeking approval and delegated authority to proceed with an additional six inclusion Hub projects in mainstream schools as part of the Council’s Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Capital Programme.  The details regarding these Phase 2 Inclusion Hubs was set out in the exempt business case attached to the report.

It was proposed by Cllr R Biggs and seconded by Cllr C Sutton

Decision

(a)                    That the capital budget of £4.3 million and funding allocations to projects set out in the Business Case within Appendix A of the Cabinet report dated 23 June 2026 be approved.

(b)                    That authority be delegated to the Executive Director, Economy and Environment in consultation with the Executive Director, Children’s Services, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Economic Growth and Strategic Assets and Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education and, together with the Director Resources to procure and award contracts or release agreed funding to third parties delivering projects, for any Phase 2 Inclusion Hub as set out in the Business Case at Appendix A of this Cabinet report, provided the project costs are contained within the programme budget.

(c)                    That the High Needs Block revenue allocation of £2m per year recurrent, as set out in the Business Case within Appendix A of this Cabinet report dated 23 June 2026 be approved. This has been factored into Dorset’s High Needs Block SEND reform modelling.  This has been factored into Dorset’s High needs Blocl SEND reform modelling.

Inclusion Hub places are approximately £19.5k per annum compared with an independent placement in the region of £64k per annum.

(d)                    That authority be delegated to the Executive Director, Children’s Services, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education and the Director, Resources to release high needs revenue funding to third parties operating any Phase 2 Inclusion Hub as set out in the Business Case at Appendix A of this Cabinet report, provided the funds are within the high needs revenue allocation.

Reason for the decision

1.      To ensure that the projects can move forward at pace, to provide cost savings and improve the sufficiency of SEND placements and support.

2.      To ensure appropriate oversight and authority is in place to allow projects to progress through from inception to delivery.

3.      To evidence delivery against the SEND Local Reform Plan.

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

That the proposed approach to managing the transition from the current Dorset Council Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy to the next statutory strategy, be approved, and that authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Housing and the Executive Director of Housing, Communities and Prevention, to approve the updated interim Action Plan for publication in Autumn 2026.

Reason for decision

Developing our new Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy would provide excellent opportunities to further build upon and expand our Prevention and Communities agenda as part of the newly formed Housing, Communities and Prevention Directorate.

The Cabinet Member for Housing presented a report on the transition from Dorset Council’s current Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy, adopted in July 2021 and due to expire in July 2026. She noted that, while work had begun on a successor strategy the government published its national plan to end homelessness in December 2025, emphasising prevention, accountability, and measurable outcomes. Detailed guidance for local authorities followed in May 2026.

It was therefore proposed to maintain momentum by continuing delivery against existing objectives while developing a new strategy aligned with the national framework and guidance.

In response to a question, the Director for Assurance and Governance advised that failure to publish its successor strategy within the statutory timeframe would pose a legal risk. However, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) had indicated it would not take compliance action where strategies lapsed during the transition provided authorities were actively developing a replacement and intended to publish an updated action plan in autumn 2026.

Addressing a further question, the Interim Corporate Director for Housing noted that the central government toolkit for developing the action plan had been received late, but officers were now progressing this work and remained on track to meet the autumn deadline as set out in the report.

In terms of the timeline for the strategy, external advisors had been engaged to support the development of the strategy in order to meet the July 2027 due date.

In response to a question regarding the Overview Committee’s involvement in respect of the development of the plan, the Cabinet Member was happy to discuss this matter with the appropriate Chair. 

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

Decision

That the proposed approach to managing the transition from the current Dorset Council Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy to the next statutory strategy, be approved, and that authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Housing and the Executive Director of Housing, Communities and Prevention, to approve the updated interim Action Plan for publication in Autumn 2026.

Reason for decision

Developing our new Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy would provide excellent opportunities to further build upon and expand our Prevention and Communities agenda as part of the newly formed Housing, Communities and Prevention Directorate.

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Children, Families & Education.

That the activity and performance of Aspire Regional Adoption Agency in 2025/26, as set out in the annual report, be noted.

Reasons for decision

Cabinet was satisfied that adoption statutory duties that the agency discharges on behalf of Dorset Council and the Aspire Annual Report 25/26 satisfies that these activities were discharged to a high standard in the last year.

Before presenting the report, the Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education acknowledged the distress caused by the Preston Davey case and its impact on the adoption community social care colleagues and others who followed the national coverage. The Council would learn from the forthcoming children's safeguarding practise review and while such cases were rare, it remained vital to endeavour to prevent them.

The Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education presented the annual report which provided a summary of the operational and strategic activity of Aspire Regional Adoption Agency during 2025/26.

It was proposed by Cllr C Sutton and seconded by Cllr A Robinson

Decision

That the activity and performance of Aspire Regional Adoption Agency in 2025/26, as set out in the annual report, be noted.

Reasons for decision

Cabinet was satisfied that adoption statutory duties that the agency discharges on behalf of Dorset Council and the Aspire Annual Report 25/26 satisfies that these activities were discharged to a high standard in the last year.

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

(a)           That the procurement of this contract, with an anticipated maximum value of £700,000 and a maximum six-year contract duration, be approved.

(b)           That the procurement of a new contract via the Crown Commercial Service Transport Technology Framework RM6347, Lot 3 (Parking Management), be approved.

(c)            That authority be delegated to the Executive Director for Economy and Environment, in consultation with the Section 151 Officer, the Monitoring Officer, and the Cabinet Member for Place Services, to approve the final contract terms, award the proposed contract, and approve contract modifications throughout the term where these are compliant with legal advice.

Reason for the decision

To enable the continuity of an essential service via a compliant contract.

To improve efficiency, data integration and customer experience.

To comply with Key Decision governance when the £500k limit is exceeded.

The Cabinet Member for Place Services set out a report seeking approval to proceed with the procurement and contract award of a replacement system for parking enforcement and permit management. He explained that the current system was approaching the end of its operational life and no longer fully met the service requirements or customer expectations. 

He advised that the proposed procurement would ensure continuity of service, support future demand and enable the Council to take advantage of digital improvements in permit management and enforcement activity.

It was proposed by Cllr J Andrews and seconded by Cllr N Ireland

Decision

(a)           That the procurement of this contract, with an anticipated maximum value of £700,000 and a maximum six-year contract duration, be approved.

(b)           That the procurement of a new contract via the Crown Commercial Service Transport Technology Framework RM6347, Lot 3 (Parking Management), be approved.

(c)           That authority be delegated to the Executive Director for Economy and Environment, in consultation with the Section 151 Officer, the Monitoring Officer, and the Cabinet Member for Place Services, to approve the final contract terms, award the proposed contract, and approve contract modifications throughout the term where these are compliant with legal advice.

Reason for the decision

To enable the continuity of an essential service via a compliant contract.

To improve efficiency, data integration and customer experience.

To comply with Key Decision governance when the £500k limit is exceeded.

To consider a report of Cabinet Member for Place Services.

The Cabinet Member for Place Services presented the Local Transport Plan 2026 to 2041(LTP) and its initial first five-year Implementation Plan, seeking Full Council’s approval to adopt it within the Council’s strategy framework.

The LTP had also been considered by Place and Resources Overview Committee at its meeting on 4 June 2026.

The recommendation set out in the papers was proposed by Cllr J Andrews with the following addition at the end of recommendation 2, “subject to the equivalent approval by BCP Council”. The amended recommendations was seconded by Cllr R Biggs.

Recommendation to Full Council

1.      That the Local Transport Plan 2026 – 2041 be adopted

2.      That authority be delegated to the Executive Director for Regeneration, Infrastructure and Growth, in consultation the Cabinet Member for Place Services, to approve any necessary minor non-material and non-policy altering changes that such do not materially alter the substance, objectives or strategic direction of the plan before it is published, subject to the equivalent approval by BCP Council.

3.      That authority be delegated to the Executive Director for Regeneration, Infrastructure and Growth, in consultation the Cabinet Member for Place Services, to approve timely updates to the Implementation Plan, where the need arises, to take account of changes of national policy, local priorities or funding.

Reason for the recommendation

The Council had a statutory duty under the Transport Act 2000 to prepare and maintain a Local Transport Plan. The current plan (2011-2026) was approaching expiry, and adoption of the new LTP was required to ensure continued compliance.

To consider a report of the Leader of the Council.

(a)           That Cabinet accepts (in principle) the funding offered by Defra as the accountable body for the Dorset National Landscape Partnership, subject to the contract/s being found acceptable by officers representing legal and financial interests.

(b)           That Cabinet delegates the signing of contracts according to the Constitution’s Scheme of Delegation

Reason for the decision

Funding offered supports the discharge of statutory duties and enables positive delivery in alignment with Council Plan priorities.

The Leader of the Council set out a report on the Dorset National Landscape Partnership, for which Dorset Council acted as the accountable body. The Partnership oversaw management of the designated landscape, covering over 45% of the county, and operated through a Board comprising of Council members and wider stakeholder representatives.

It was noted that the Partnership had received a Defra funding allocation of £1.77m for 2026-27, with indicative funding at the same level for the following two years. This included revenue, capital and farming in Protected Landscapes (FIPL) funding to support delivery of the national Landscape Management Plan.

 It was proposed by Cllr N Ireland and seconded by Cllr J Andrews

Decision

(a)           That Cabinet accepts (in principle) the funding offered by Defra as the accountable body for the Dorset National Landscape Partnership, subject to the contract/s being found acceptable by officers representing legal and financial interests.

(b)           That Cabinet delegates the signing of contracts according to the Constitution’s Scheme of Delegation

Reason for the decision

Funding offered supports the discharge of statutory duties and enables positive delivery in alignment with Council Plan priorities.

To consider a report of Cabinet Member for Planning.

That the response submitted (as set out in Appendix A of the report) to the recent Government consultation on the proposed introduction of a new permitted development right for small-scale, non-domestic wind turbines, be endorsed.

Reason for decision

The proposed new permitted development right would streamline the planning process for small-scale non-domestic wind turbines which met certain criteria.

The consultation response set out in Appendix A supported the principle of the new proposed permitted development right whilst also highlighting the importance of a full assessment of impacts through a planning application for larger scale schemes.     

The Cabinet Member for Planning presented a report on the retrospective consultation response regarding the proposal introducing a new permitted development rights for small-scale, non-domestic wind turbines. The response, set out in the appendix of the report, supported the proposal and welcomed the streamlined planning process. A member webinar held in May helped to inform the response.

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

Decision

That the response submitted (as set out in Appendix A of the report) to the recent Government consultation on the proposed introduction of a new permitted development right for small-scale, non-domestic wind turbines, be endorsed.

Reason for decision

The proposed new permitted development right would streamline the planning process for small-scale non-domestic wind turbines which met certain criteria.

The consultation response set out in Appendix A supported the principle of the new proposed permitted development right whilst also highlighting the importance of a full assessment of impacts through a planning application for larger scale schemes.     

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 consider passing the following recommendation:  

Recommendation  

That in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 to exclude the public from the meeting for the business specified in item(s) No 18 because it is likely that if members of the public were present there would be disclosure to them of exempt information as defined in paragraph(s) 3 of Part 1 of schedule 12A to the Act and the public interest in withholding the information outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information to the public.  

The public and the press will be asked to leave the meeting whilst the item of business is considered. (Any live streaming will end at this juncture).  

Paragraph 3 - Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).  

There was no exempt business considered at the meeting

Exempt appendix associated with item 9 “SEND Inclusion Hubs Phase 2”

The exempt appendix associated with agenda item 18 “SEND Inclusion Hubs Phase 2” was not discussed at the meeting. The report was considered in open business as set out in min no. 21 to these minutes.