Agenda and draft minutes

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 26 March 2026.

The minutes of the meeting on 26 March 2026 were agreed 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 1 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 no declarations of interest.

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 1 June 2026

Dorset Council Constitution – Procedure Rule 13

There were no Questions from Councillors.

To receive the report from the Strategic and Policy Team Manager

The report was introduced by the Cabinet member for Regeneration, Infrastructure and Growth who set out the need for the Joint Local transport plan and the next stages of governance.

The Strategic and Policy Team Manager presented the key points of the report and the implications of the Local Transport Plan and the accompanying delivery plan. The Principal Transport Planner set out the vision for transport in Dorset and the six core objectives. The engagement undertaken was described and the financial commitments within the Plan and the aspirations of the plans.

The Committee welcomed the extensive governance process undertaken during the development of the Plan and acknowledged the improvements that had been made as it progressed.

During the discussion, consideration was given to the role of rail within the transport network, particularly in West Dorset.

Discussion took place regarding the geographic distribution of projects within the implementation plan, with concerns raised about potential disparities and the equitable distribution of investment across Dorset.

The focus of the Plan on people rather than vehicles was explored, together with how the Plan would align with planning processes and the Local Plan, including the potential impact on car journeys.

The particular challenges faced by rural communities were discussed, recognising the continued reliance on private vehicles and the importance of community transport in reducing that dependence. It was noted that a further report on this matter would be considered by the Committee in July.

Consideration was also given to the relationship between transport improvements and wider infrastructure requirements, including water infrastructure, and how these would be reflected within the implementation plan.

The discussion highlighted that different areas of Dorset have differing transport needs and that these should be reflected in delivery.

The Committee considered the monitoring arrangements for the Plan, including the key performance indicators that would be used to measure outcomes and assess its effectiveness.

Discussion also took place on the distribution of funding between the two councils, with emphasis placed on ensuring that funding is allocated fairly.

Congestion and journey times were considered, including the aspiration to reduce congestion and improve network performance. The processes required to secure funding from National Highways were also discussed.

The importance of partnership working with National Highways was recognised, together with the shared ambition of delivering highway improvements that support the objectives of the Local Transport Plan.

Recommendations

The recommendations from the report were proposed by Cllr Taylor and seconded by Cllr Crabb and carried with 7 votes for and 1 against.

The Place and Resources Overview Committee;

·       Endorsed the Local Transport Plan 2026 – 2041 and recommend it for approval by Cabinet and adoption at Full Council.

·       Supported delegated authority 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.

·       Supported the delegated authority to the Executive Director for Regeneration,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

To receive the report from the Projects Team Manager

The Cabinet member introduced the paper and the background for the paper and handed to the Projects Team Manager who presented the key factors from the paper and the considerations that have been raised in engagement with disability groups and the police and crime commissioner while addressing the key concerns and the practical implications of the scheme.

During the discussion, concerns were raised regarding the potential for e-scooters to be hacked and used by individuals who did not hold valid driving licences. Consideration was given to the controls available to operators and the measures required to manage this risk.

The Committee discussed compliance rates associated with bikes and scooters being left outside designated parking bays. It was noted that Dorset currently achieves a compliance rate of 95%, indicating a high level of adherence to the scheme requirements.

The use of geomapping technology was explored, particularly its role in identifying areas where access restrictions or speed controls may be required. Discussion highlighted the importance of involving ward members, town councils and parish councils in identifying locations where additional controls may be necessary.

Safety requirements formed a significant part of the discussion. Assurances were provided that appropriate safety standards and mitigation measures would be incorporated into the procurement process and applied throughout the operation of the scheme.

The Committee also considered the commercial viability of e-scooter schemes. It was noted that a sufficient population base is required to sustain such schemes commercially, and that this had been a key factor in selecting the proposed trial locations.

Further discussion focused on safety concerns relating to the use of e-scooters on both pavements and the road network, and the potential impact on other road users and pedestrians.

The need for appropriate signage to support the operation of the scheme was also discussed, including its role in promoting awareness, compliance and safety.

Recommendation:

The recommendations set out in the paper were proposed alongside specific suggestions from the Committee debate by Cllr Tarr and seconded by Cllr Taylor and unanimously agreed in support of the Cabinet Decision to commence the trial of the e-scooter mobility scheme.

The Place and Resources Overview Committee;

·       reviewed and provided comment on the proposal to introduce e-scooter rental services in:

1.     Weymouth, Dorchester, Portland and Chickerell (via a competitively procured operator); and

2.     Corfe Mullen and Upton (via an extension of the existing BCP scheme);

·       Examined the proposed delivery model, including the practical, legal and operational arrangements required to implement the scheme in accordance with Department for Transport (DfT) trial requirements.

·       Provided direction and challenge on key aspects of the proposal including:

1.     The sustainability of the proposed operating areas;

2.     The adequacy of proposed controls relating to safety, parking and equalities impacts;

3.     The extent to which reliance on police enforcement presents an acceptable risk

The recommendations of geofencing to be coproduced with Ward Councillors, Town and Parish councillors and the response to the DFT to look to provision of warning signage was added to the report 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.