Agenda and minutes

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 13 March 2025

The minutes of the meeting were agreed as 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 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

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 19 May 2025

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 no public participation.

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] by 8.30am on 19 May 2025 

Dorset Council Constitution – Procedure Rule 13

There were no questions from Councillors.

To receive the report from the Head of Growth and Regeneration

The Head of Growth & Economic Regeneration presented the Dorset Economic Growth Strategy, highlighting challenges and opportunities emphasising alignment with government policy and focusing on strengths within the local economy.

The discussion focussed on the following key areas and points:

·       The balance of support between large and small businesses.

·       Highlighted the need for universities and colleges to boost local skills and seize opportunities.

·       The role of agriculture and how prominent it was in the strategy.

·       The importance of digital infrastructure in supporting economic growth.

·       The significance of tourism and hospitality in the local economy.

·       Identified transport infrastructure as a barrier to growth and reviewed the resources allocated to address it.

·       How delivery and impact would be monitored.

·       Raised issues around grid capacity and power supply and explored green energy opportunities.

·       Explored the potential of setting up an investment office.

·       The social value that could come from generating green energy.

·       The need for affordable housing to support the workforce.

·       Noted concerns about vacant properties and unused business spaces.

·       Highlighted the importance of STEM subjects in driving future growth.

·       Observed that investment and focus were concentrated in the southern parts of the county.

·       Considered the role of public transport in supporting economic development.

·       Reviewed the support available for businesses and new entrepreneurs to help drive growth.

To receive the report from the Service Manager Licensing & Community Safety

Ahead of the item the meeting extension was proposed by Cllr Jesperson, seconded by Cllr Taylor and unanimously agreed.

The Head of Community and Public Protection presented the report on extending and adopting the Public Space Protection Orders (PSPO’s) detailed in the report following a period of consultation.

Following the presentation the committee debated the item with the following considerations;

·       The engagement and consultation process was discussed with an emphasis on the importance of awareness

·       The resources needed for enforcement and the cost of enforcement

·       The funding model around enforcement

·       The role of the enforcement officer

·       The impact of these orders on the local environment

Following the debate the committee were unanimously in support of the adoption of the PSPO’s

To receive the report from the Business Partner – Communities and Partnerships

The Business Partner for Communities & Partnerships introduced the item alongside the Cabinet Member for Finance and capital strategy.

The discussion covered of the following areas.

·       Clarification was sought on the definition of ‘direct community benefit’.

·       The feasibility of parish councils acting as bank accounts for small organisations was discussed.

·       The resources available for monitoring were considered.

·       The accuracy of statements regarding the devolution of Community Infrastructure Levy and Section 106 funds to town and parish councils was questioned.

·       The exclusion of religious groups and funding for organisations operating outside the Dorset Council area was raised

The Committee unanimously approved the papers recommendations.

To review the Place and Resources Overview Committee Work Programme.

To review the Cabinet Forward Plan.

The Committee reviewed the work programme.

To consider any items of business which the Chair 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 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.