Agenda and draft minutes

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 4 June 2026.

The minutes of the meeting 4 June 2026 were approved 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 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 6 July 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.

Question from Nick Hurrell, Chair of WATAG

What is the timetable for Public Engagement with these two items?

WATAG represent passenger transport interests within the Bridport, Beaminster, Lyme Regis and surrounding areas, where both Public and Community Transport is particularly sparse. We would be delighted to meet with Council Representatives at the appropriate time to discuss passenger needs in this area. We are currently running a public survey to assess demand for an hourly service between Bridport and Dorchester (currently approximately every 2 hours) and would be happy to share the results with you at the appropriate time. Of course, an increase in bus services would likely reduce private car traffic and likely influence Dorset Council's future car parking strategy.

Response

Thank you for your question and for the valuable contribution of West Dorset TAG in representing transport users across West Dorset. 

Taking the Bus and Community Transport report first, no decisions have yet been taken on any specific proposals to change how travel and transport might be reconfigured for the future. We recognise the importance of ongoing dialogue with stakeholder groups. Following Overview Committee's consideration of this report, officers would be pleased to meet with West Dorset TAG and other Transport Action Group representatives to discuss the emerging work, hear your views on local priorities and review the findings of your survey regarding the Bridport–Dorchester corridor. During the Full Business Case stage, we will engage informally with a range of internal and external stakeholders, including West Dorset TAG.

Formal public consultation is a different process. Plans for future further engagement and formal consultation are being developed as part of the Full Business Case and will be set out in more detail when Cabinet considers that report later this year. Any engagement on specific proposals would take place after Cabinet has considered the Full Business Case.

Regarding the Parking Review, after the Overview Committee meeting, during July and August we will hold online listening meetings, as a place where local voices will be heard. This will not be a formal consultation exercise, because we will have to wait until after the Oct 2026 Cabinet meeting before we have specific proposals to consult the public about. After the Oct Cabinet there will be a formal consultation exercise, as is our statutory requirement any time the Council proposes to amend any parking charges or arrangements.

Thank you for your continued interest and support in helping improve travel and transport services across Dorset

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 6 July 2026

Dorset Council Constitution – Procedure Rule 13

No questions from councillors.

To receive the report from the Strategic and Policy Team Manager.

The Committee considered the outline business case for a more integrated transport system across Dorset. Discussion focused on the long-term sustainability of the current transport model and the challenges created by rising demand, fragmented services and increasing financial pressures. Members recognised the importance of developing a transport system that was easier to access, more coordinated and better able to meet the needs of residents across Dorset.

A significant theme throughout the discussion was the impact of poor transport connectivity in rural areas. Members highlighted the difficulties many residents faced when accessing healthcare, education, employment, shopping and social activities. There was discussion about the decline in community transport services, the challenges of recruiting volunteer drivers and the need to reduce social isolation, especially for older residents.

The Committee discussed the benefits of moving towards a more integrated approach that brought together public transport, community transport, special educational needs transport, adult social care transport and other transport services within a single system. Members generally supported the ambition of designing services around journeys and user needs rather than around separate service areas or budgets.

Funding was a recurring topic throughout the debate. Members recognised that Dorset continued to receive comparatively low levels of public transport funding and considered how a stronger, more ambitious strategy could help secure additional government investment. At the same time, discussion acknowledged the importance of balancing ambition with deliverability and ensuring that future proposals remained realistic and affordable.

Considerable discussion focused on the role of community transport, volunteer schemes and community-led solutions. The Committee recognised the valuable contribution these services made in rural communities and emphasised the need to support and strengthen local transport initiatives as part of any future integrated system.

Members also discussed the importance of transport hubs and connectivity. There was broad agreement that future transport planning should better connect different forms of travel, including railway stations, coach services, cycling routes and local bus networks. The Committee considered that successful integration depended on making journeys as seamless as possible between different modes of transport.

Discussion highlighted the potential benefits of improved transport for town centres, economic growth, tourism, employment and social inclusion. Members considered that improved public transport could help support local economies, increase access to services and reduce reliance on more expensive and fragmented transport arrangements.

The Committee also recognised the financial pressures associated with special educational needs and disability transport and considered the opportunity for a more integrated transport system to make better use of shared journeys and available vehicle capacity.The support for the paper was

Recommendations

The Place and Resources overview Committee supported recommendations (a) and (b) within the report and requested that the Full Business Case should include both options.

The recommendations were proposed by Cllr David Taylor, seconded by Cllr Simon Gibson and unanimously agreed.

To receive the report from the Transport & Parking Strategy Lead

The Committee considered Dorset Council's comprehensive, data-led review of parking across Dorset. Discussion focused on how improved data collection and technology could support better management of parking assets, improve the customer experience and strengthen the contribution parking made towards wider transport, economic and environmental objectives. Members welcomed the detailed analysis of parking usage and recognised the value of using evidence gathered from payment systems to better understand demand patterns, parking behaviour and car park performance across Dorset. The Committee supported the principle of using data to inform future decisions rather than relying solely on anecdotal evidence.

The proposed upgrade of parking machines received broad support. Discussion focused on the benefits of improved technology, including greater flexibility for users, improved data collection, digital payment options and the potential to simplify parking arrangements for residents and visitors. The Committee also considered how future systems could create opportunities for more innovative charging models and improved customer convenience.

A significant theme within the discussion was the role of parking in supporting town centres and local economies. Members considered how parking could be used to encourage longer visits, increase spending within local businesses and strengthen the vitality of Dorset's market towns and coastal communities. The importance of ensuring that parking remained accessible and affordable for local residents was emphasised throughout.

The Committee discussed ways to improve the experience of using Dorset's car parks. Topics included clearer signage, better wayfinding, directing visitors towards appropriate parking locations, improving the condition of car parks and making long-stay options easier to identify. Members considered these improvements particularly important in supporting tourism and reducing congestion in town centres.

A lengthy discussion took place regarding proposals to introduce parking incentives linked to vehicle emissions. Concerns were raised that such an approach could disproportionately affect residents on lower incomes who may not have the means to purchase lower-emission vehicles. Members discussed alternative ways of supporting climate objectives, including encouraging local travel, supporting public transport and reducing unnecessary vehicle journeys.

The Committee also explored opportunities to use technology to support more flexible parking arrangements, including aspirations towards pay-on-exit style systems and more integrated digital services. Members viewed these developments as potentially beneficial to residents, visitors and local businesses.

Further discussion considered resident parking permits, affordability, payment options, reinforcement of parking enforcement, alternative uses for car parks during quieter periods and opportunities for wider income generation from parking assets.

Recommendations

There was a proposal by Cllr Brown, seconded by Cllr Gibson that the emission-based charging is excluded from the parking strategy and planned actions at the current time and was carried with 7 votes for and 1 against.

The following recommendations from the Place and Resources Overview Committee were summarised by the Chair, proposed by Cllr Taylor and seconded by Cllr Crabb and unanimously agreed.

1.     The proposal for emissions-based parking charges or discounts be removed from the actions and future strategic direction of the Parking Review and that alternative approaches be considered at this time.

2.     The upgrade of parking technology be supported  ...  view the full minutes text for item 15.

To receive the report from the Service Manager- Economic Development & Skills

The Committee considered the Dorset Local Visitor Economy Partnership Destination Management Plan and welcomed the collaborative approach that had been taken to develop it. Members noted that the plan had been produced through engagement with a wide range of partners and stakeholders from across Dorset's tourism, business and community sectors. The discussion recognised the importance of tourism to Dorset's economy and the role it played in supporting employment, businesses and local communities. Members welcomed the strategic focus on increasing visitor spend, extending the tourism season and improving the overall visitor experience across Dorset.

A recurring theme throughout the discussion was the importance of ensuring that tourism benefits were spread across the whole county. Members highlighted the need to better promote inland Dorset, including its market towns, countryside, heritage assets, cultural attractions, walking routes, wildlife sites and natural landscapes. It was felt that Dorset's tourism offer extended far beyond its coastline and that future promotion should better reflect the diversity of experiences available throughout the county.

Members discussed the challenges facing market towns and the importance of linking tourism activity with broader work to support town centres and local economic development. The Committee recognised the contribution market towns made to the visitor economy and the need to support them as attractive destinations. Members recognised growing public interest in sustainable tourism, ecotourism and environmentally responsible travel. There was support for ensuring that sustainability remained a strong feature within future action plans and that Dorset's environmental strengths were promoted more actively.

The Committee considered opportunities to grow tourism outside the traditional summer season and highlighted the role that events, culture, heritage, nature-based activities and improved all-weather attractions could play in increasing year-round visitor activity and supporting local businesses beyond peak tourism periods. Discussion identified the importance of supporting small businesses and micro-businesses, particularly in rural areas, and recognised the challenges these businesses often faced in accessing resources, support and marketing opportunities.

The Committee agreed that whilst the Destination Management Plan provided a strong strategic framework, much of the future success of the initiative would depend on the development and delivery of a detailed action plan

Recommendation

The Place and Resources Overview Committee recommend that Cabinet adopts the Dorset local Visitor Economy Partnership Destination Management Plan (DLVEPDM), and consider the following additional recommendations;

That:

(a)  additional funding be added to the 2027/2028 budget to meet the aspirations within the plan

(b)  the local offerings be recognised in the wording of the DLVEPDM action plan.

To review the Place and Resources Overview Committee Work Programme.

To review the Cabinet Forward Plan.

The Place and Resoures Overview Committee work programme was reviewed and an additional item around the Market Town strategy was suggested to be scoped.

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 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) 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).

Reason for taking the item in private

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.