Agenda and minutes

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 6 October 2025.

The minutes of the meeting held on 6 October 2025 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.

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 14 January 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 questions or statements from members of the public or local organisations.

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 14 January 2026.

Dorset Council Constitution – Procedure Rule 13

There were no questions from councillors.

To review the Forward Plan.

The Forward Plan was noted.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for Commissioning and Improvement.

The shareholder committee considered a report of the Corporate Director, Commissioning and Improvement, which presented the developments led by the Council, relevant to Care Dorset, and summarised key progress since the last meeting of the shareholder committee.

In presenting the report, particular reference was made to progress with the development of a new model for day opportunities with a report and findings now published, an update on the extra care housing scheme at St Martin’s in Gillingham and improving occupancy levels, the redevelopment of Sidney Gale House in Bridport into a modern 56-bed reablement centre and system wide transformation that was underway. In addition, it was noted that a summit event with Care Dorset was planned for early February.

Councillors considered the issues covered in the report and discussion was focused on the following areas:

·       The Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care reported that he had attended a Birth to Settlement Board meeting along with the Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Education and Skills, which demonstrated a positive partnership between Adult Social Care and the NHS. In addition, he noted a recent visit he had undertaken with Care Dorset to a site on Dorchester Road, Weymouth, with positive discussions that had taken place with a number of young people

·       In respect of the extra care scheme at St Martin’s in Gillingham, it was noted that following a planning determination in November 2025, eligibility criteria had been relaxed to encourage broader uptake, which had improved occupancy levels. This would be replicated for other extra care schemes moving forward

·       Discussions were ongoing with health colleagues about options for reablement sites

·       Reference was made to progress with supported living sites in Weymouth

·       Opportunities within the Future Care programme were noted

The report was NOTED.

To consider a report of the Managing Director, Care Dorset.

The shareholder committee considered a report, which provided an update on matters relating to Care Dorset since the previous meeting. This included Care Dorset’s financial and operational performance, workforce trends, governance and strategic priorities.

The Chair of the Board introduced Dr Felix Davies, a Non-Executive Director who had joined the board in August 2025 to strengthen clinical governance on the board. In addition, the Chair of the Board reported that Andrew Billany had left the board and expressed thanks for his contribution and experience.

In presenting the report, the Managing Director provided an overview of the areas covered including an update on average occupancy levels, continued partnership work with the council on day opportunities, community reablement and supported living. In addition, and in response to a request at the last meeting regarding the projected year-end financial position and re-forecasting work to be undertaken, further information had been provided in the report.

Councillors considered the issues arising from the report and points were noted in the following areas:

·       In respect of the Annual Business Plan update and the priority to transition to a hub and spoke model for day opportunities, a question was raised about opportunities to market provision. In response, the Managing Director noted that the outcome of the consultation was awaited, but that a set of proposals would be developed and that marketing, both in print and online, would be undertaken including a new website and working with community partners to signpost and promote opportunities

·       Thanks were expressed for information on the updated financial position and Care Dorset were commended on providing a position that showed a surplus. In response, the Managing Director reported that there was a continued focus on managing the use of agency staff, which had been assisted through the role of the neutral vendor and a new roster system. In addition, Care Dorset had worked hard with suppliers in relation to costs for products purchased

·       Reference was made to the importance of cyber security

The report was NOTED.

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.