Agenda and draft minutes

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 16 July 2026.

The minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 16^th July 2026 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

To disclose any pecuniary, other registrable or non-registrable interests as set out in the adopted Code of Conduct.  In making their decision 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.

No declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests were made at the meeting.

A period of 30 minutes is allocated to receive and respond to questions and statements on the business of the Council in the following order:

(a) Questions and statements from Town and Parish Councils;

(b) Questions and statements from those living or working in the Dorset Council area;

A person or organisation can submit either 1 question or 1 statement at 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 Full Council this will be circulated to all members of the council in advance of the meeting as a supplement to the agenda and appended to the minutes of the meeting for the formal record, but it will not be read out at the meeting.  The first 8 questions and the first 8 statements received by Democratic Services will be accepted on a first come first served basis in accordance with the deadline below:  

The full text of the question or statement must be received by 8.30am on 19 October 2026. All submissions must be emailed to [email protected] 

When submitting your question or statement please note that:

·       You can submit 1 question or 1 statement for each meeting;

·       A question may include a pre-amble to set the context, each question, including the pre-amble can consist of up to 450 words and you will be given up to 3 minutes to read out your question;

·       Sub-divided questions will not be accepted;

·       When submitting a question please indicate who the question is for, i.e. the name of the Cabinet member;

·       You will need to include your full name, address and contact details;

·       All questions and statements will be published with the minutes of the meeting as a matter of public record.

Before submitting your question or statement please read the Council’s Procedure Rules paragraphs 9.1 – 9.12 to ensure that your question/statement is compliant.

Part 2 Rules of Procedure - Council and Committee Procedure Rules.pdf

There were two questions received from members of the public and responses were provided by the relevant Cabinet members. The questions and responses are attached at appendix 1 to these minutes.

A period of 15 minutes is allocated to receive and respond to petitions in accordance with the council’s petitions scheme.

A period of 15 minutes is allocated to receive and respond to deputations in accordance with the council’s constitution.

The petitions scheme and procedures relating to deputations can be viewed at:

Council Procedure Rules

There were no petitions or deputations for consideration at the meeting.

(a)  To receive a short presentation from the Youth Council.

(b)  To receive any announcements from the Chair of Council.

The Chair advised that both she and the Vice-Chair had been working closely with the Youth Council and highlighted National Cadet Week. Appreciation was expressed to Cllr P Kimber for his leadership and continued support with the Portland Sea Cadet’s.

The following tributes were made to former district councillors.

Cllr K Wheller paid tribute to the late Honorary Alderman Rendall , recognising his contribution and service to the Council and the local community.

Cllr A Parry paid tribute to the late Cllr C Jamieson and acknowledged his dedication to public service.

The Chair further informed Council of the recent passing of former Cllr K Meech and acknowledged his service to the community and local government.

To receive any announcements and reports from the Leader of Council and members of the Cabinet.

The Leader of the Council began by extending best wishes to Cllr C Sutton following a recent car accident and on behalf of the council jwished her a full and speedy recovery.

The Leader welcomed Lucie Laker to the council as the new Executive Director for Modernisation and Customer Delivery..

Members were informed of the recent passing of a long-serving Dorset Echo journalist, who was remembered for her warmth, humour and significant contribution to the local community. Condolences were expressed to her family, friends and colleagues.

An update was provided on the recent Corporate Peer Challenge, which had highlighted a number of organisational strengths, particularly partnership working, while also identifying opportunities for further improvement. The Leader praised the commitment of council staff and reiterated the council's ambition to build on its successes.

The Leader also highlighted the council's continued engagement with local communities, noting a commitment to turning community conversations into meaningful action to improve outcomes for Dorset residents.

An update was given on devolution, with particular emphasis on the importance of ensuring that decisions affecting Dorset reflected the needs of its rural and coastal communities, including transport and connectivity challenges.

Members were advised of the Environment Agency's decision to approve the permit variation sought by the Powerfuel Portland Energy Recovery Facility. The Leader acknowledged the concerns raised by residents and emphasised the importance of ensuring those views continued to be heard.

The continuing drought conditions affecting Dorset were also highlighted. Residents were encouraged to follow guidance from their water suppliers, and members noted the wider implications of climate change and the need for resilient infrastructure and sustainable water supplies.

Members took the opportunity to raise questions of the Leader regarding the matters outlined in the announcements.

To consider a report by the Service Manager for Democratic & Electoral Services.

Members considered a report relating to the draft recommendations of the Local Government Boundary Commission for England and the proposed response from Dorset Council.

The Leader of Council reminded members that the council had previously considered the matter at its meeting in May and explained that the purpose of the report was to seek agreement on those recommendations that the council wished to support and those it wished to challenge. Members had been invited to submit comments and concerns to the Task and Finish Group during the consultation process.

The Leader of Council introduced the proposals set out within the report and summarised the recommended responses detailed in the accompanying table. Members were advised that, should they wish to make individual representations, submissions could be made directly to the Local Government Boundary Commission before the consultation deadline. It was also noted that members of the public were able to submit their own comments as part of the consultation process.

It was proposed by Cllr N Ireland seconded by Cllr W Chakawhata.

Decision

That the response to the Local Government Boundary Commission for England's draft recommendations on warding patterns and ward names, as set out in Appendix A be approved.

To consider a recommendation from Cabinet.

Members  considered the Dorset Community Safety Plan 2026/27.

Cllr M Bell outlined the council's statutory duty to identify community safety priorities and publish a Community Safety Plan. He noted that the plan had been developed in partnership with a range of organisations and had previously been considered by the People and Health Overview Committee.

Members heard that, whilst Dorset remained one of the safest places to live, work and visit, there was a need to remain vigilant and continue supporting victims, tackling violence, addressing anti-social behaviour and strengthening community resilience. Particular reference was made to the experiences of women and girls and the importance of early intervention and prevention. It was noted that the plan would be refreshed annually to respond to emerging risks and priorities.

During the debate, members discussed community engagement, the experiences of young people, rural crime, road safety, anti-social behaviour, prevention measures, public awareness of the plan and the importance of partnership working.

In summing up, Cllr D Sowry-House thanked members for their contributions and highlighted the value of collaborative working in maintaining Dorset as a safe place to live, work and visit. He welcomed ongoing engagement as part of the annual review process.

It was proposed by Cllr M Bell  seconded by Cllr D Sowry-House.

Decision

 That the Community Safety Plan 2026-2029 be adopted.

To consider a recommendation from Cabinet.

Cllr M Bell presented the Youth Justice Plan 2026-2027, a statutory requirement, and highlighted the work of the Dorset Combined Youth Justice Service and its partners in reducing reoffending and improving outcomes for children, victims, and communities. Members were advised that addressing the underlying causes of offending, tackling inequalities, and supporting young people to make positive choices were key priorities. Thanks were expressed to Dorset Council staff and partner agencies for their continued work.

Members considered the recommendations of the relevant committee and discussed the priorities set out within the plan, together with the arrangements in place to support young people involved in the youth justice system. In discussion, members recognised the positive outcomes being achieved and welcomed the partnership approach outlined within the plan.

Decision

That the Youth Justice Plan be adopted.

To consider a report by the Environment, Policy and Partnership Team Manager.

Cllr J Jeanes presented the report and advised that a review of the byelaws had been undertaken in response to water safety concerns. Members were informed that engagement had taken place with relevant stakeholders and that the proposed byelaws sought to improve clarity and reflect the increasing use of watercraft.

Thanks were expressed to all those who had contributed to the consultation process. It was noted that a number of minor drafting observations had been received, including typographical amendments and corrections to place names, none of which were material or affected the recommendations.

In the debate, Cllr C Tomes expressed full support for the proposals and thanked Bridget Betts for her work on the review, including engagement with watercraft users in Swanage.

Cllr B Wilson welcomed the consultation process, noting that it had generated significant local interest and had appropriately reflected both the views of residents and the intended outcomes of the byelaws.

Decision

That the Dorset Council Motorised Watercraft Byelaws be adopted.

Following the resignation of Cllr J Jeanes as a member of the General Licensing Committee and Gambling Committee to appoint a new Vice-chair.

The nomination from the Liberal Democrat Group is Cllr J Andrews.

It was proposed by Cllr N Ireland, seconded by Cllr S Clifford,

Decision

That Cllr J Andrews be appointed Vice-Chair of the General Licensing and Gambling Committee.

In accordance with the terms of reference of the Harbours Advisory Committee to seek Full Council approval to appoint Mr Mark Saxby as a co-optee on the Harbours Advisory Committee for a further three year term. October 2026 – October 2029.

It was proposed by Cllr S Williams, seconded by Cllr L Fry,

Decision 

That Mark Saxby be appointed as co optee of the Harbours Advisory Committee for the period October 2026 – October 2029.

To consider a motion on notice, to be proposed by Cllr S Flower and seconded by Cllr B Quayle.

Cllr S Flower introduced the motion and highlighted Dorset Council’s ambition to increase the delivery of affordable housing in support of its vision for a fairer, more prosperous and sustainable Dorset. Members heard that improving housing standards and delivering the homes required through the emerging Local Plan remained key priorities. Concern was expressed that viability assessments could present a significant barrier to securing affordable housing contributions from developers.

The motion proposed that the administration continue to lobby Government on the issue of viability and that the Leader of the Council write to the Government to set out Dorset Council’s concerns. Support for the motion was sought from all political groups.

During the debate, Cllr N Ireland referred to recent updates to the National Planning Policy Framework.

Cllr J Orrell stated that the council should be doing everything possible to maximise the delivery of affordable housing.

In summing up, Cllr S Flower noted that viability provisions within the National Planning Policy Framework had recently been updated and encouraged members to read the changes. He thanked members for their contributions to the debate and the comments received on the motion.

It was proposed by Cllr S Flower and seconded by Cllr B Quayle.

Decision

THAT the administration will commit to lobbying Government for changes to the viability provisions set out in national policy so that this council is able to comply with its own polices as set out the Dorset Plan and the emerging Dorset Local Plan.  

THAT the Leader of Council will write to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government setting out these concerns, seeking changes to national guidance on the matter of viability. Furthermore, in doing so he will seek cross-party support from other Group Leaders to be co-signatories to the letter. 

This approach should enable Strategic Planning Authorities to support the Central Government policy to provide social housing for rent or shared equity for local people. 

To consider a motion on notice, to be proposed by Cllr N Ireland and seconded by Cllr B Bawden.  

Cllr N Ireland introduced the Motion for the Ocean and outlined the importance of recognising the connection between activities on land and the health of Dorset’s coastlines, rivers and seas. Members heard that the motion supported the council’s commitments in relation to climate change and nature recovery and had been developed jointly with BCP Council. It was noted that healthy rivers, landscapes and marine environments were essential to improving water quality and addressing sewage pollution, and that effective solutions often delivered multiple environmental benefits.

During the debate, members discussed the aims and objectives of the motion, together with the practical implications of delivery.

Cllr G Suttle acknowledged the intentions of the motion and proposed the following amendment: -

That the motion be referred to the appropriate Overview Committee to establish a clear, fully costed business plan to ensure the financial and service delivery risks are fully understood and how such an initiative could potentially impact on the provision of front-line services.

That the outcome and recommendations from the Overview Committee be referred to the Cabinet and finally to Full Council for adoption.

Members expressed a range of views on the amendment. Comments were made regarding the need for cleaner seas, the importance of meeting residents’ expectations, the role of scrutiny in considering policy proposals and associated costs, and the need to understand resource implications. Reference was also made to existing work already being undertaken in several of the areas identified within the motion.

In response, Cllr N Ireland advised that the motion had involved significant partnership working, including engagement with BCP Council and other stakeholders. He noted that, if approved, an action plan would be developed and stated that he did not support the amendment, highlighting that the proposal before council was a motion rather than a policy document.

On being put to the vote the amendment was LOST

It was proposed by Cllr N Ireland seconded by Cllr B Bawden 

Decision

Therefore, Dorset Council commits to:

1. Working collaboratively with partners, businesses, harbour authorities, educational institutions and communities to support a sustainable blue economy that strengthens Dorset’s marine and coastal sectors, promotes innovation and clean marine technologies, and delivers long-term prosperity alongside ocean recovery.

2. Improving ocean literacy and community engagement by supporting schools, colleges, universities and community groups to increase understanding of the marine environment through education programmes, outdoor learning, citizen science, volunteering, communications and awareness-raising activities.

3. Ensuring that relevant council strategies, plans and projects have regard to the Dorset Local Nature Recovery Strategy and contribute, where appropriate, to the recovery of marine, coastal and water-dependent habitats.

4. Supporting the development and implementation of a Marine Nature Recovery Strategy for Dorset and advocating for the introduction of Marine Nature Recovery Strategies in England, working with partners to align marine recovery with local nature recovery priorities.

5. Working with water companies, regulators, government and other partners to improve water quality across Dorset’s rivers, estuaries, harbours and coastal waters, and seeking clear plans, targets and transparency for reducing sewage  ...  view the full minutes text for item 43.

To receive questions submitted by councillors.  The deadline for receipt of questions is 8.30am on 19 October 2026.

There were four questions received from councillors. The questions and responses provided by Cabinet members are attached at appendix 2 to these minutes.

Supplementary questions were received as follows:

Question 1 – Cllr C Jones referred to the reported number of staff sickness absence days and expressed concern at the level recorded. She sought information on the measures being taken by the Council to address sickness absence and support improvements in attendance.

Question 2 – Cllr V Pothecary referred to Council Tax matters and asked whether Cllr J Jeanes could provide his response in writing so that it could be shared with residents when similar enquiries or complaints were received.

At that point in the meeting and in accordance with Procedural Rule 8.1 the committee voted to extend the duration of the meeting.

Question 3 – Cllr S Murcer referred to forthcoming budget discussions and asked the relevant Cabinet Member to ensure that a realistic and transparent highways budget was developed, one which members could support and be proud to endorse.

Question 4 – Cllr P Brown noted that recent legislative changes allowed councils to increase fly-tipping fines and asked whether Dorset Council would commit to introducing higher penalties, in line with neighbouring authorities.

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.

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      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 is no exempt business scheduled for the meeting.

There was no exempt business