Agenda, decisions and minutes

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 19 January 2026.

The minutes of the meeting held on 19 January 2026 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 18 March 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 18 March 2026.

Dorset Council Constitution – Procedure Rule 13

There were no questions from councillors.

To consider 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 respect of the recent review of day opportunities, the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care expressed his appreciation to Care Dorset staff for their professionalism during the review process.

In response to a question, the Corporate Director confirmed that a report relating to the Bridport Reablement Centre was due to be considered by Cabinet in June. Consideration was given to the potential timescale for the development.

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.

The Chair of the Board made reference to a Care Dorset summit which had taken place on 4 February and which had been attended by members of the Care Dorset Board and commissioning team. She thanked the Dorset Council representatives that had attended and noted that the summit had provided an opportunity for all attending to jointly reflect on progress made to date, plans for the future and to reaffirm the shared commitment for continued success and growth.

The Managing Director provided an overview of the areas covered by the report and made particular reference to operational performance issues including occupancy levels, a structure transformation programme that was being undertaken and noted that an update on the current business plan would be provided at the next meeting of the shareholder committee. It was noted that Care Dorset continued to perform well against the expectations of the commissioners.

Councillors considered the issues covered by the report and points were noted in the following areas:

·       Occupancy levels were considered and would be covered further in the business plan report later on the agenda

·       In response to a point raised, a definition was provided for an ‘involuntary’ leaver

·       An update was provided on sickness levels and the management of both short-term and long-term sickness. Care Dorset linked in with the council’s occupational health team to support people back to work

·       A point was raised in respect of the use of the wording related to the average occupancy in care homes, where it stated that average occupancy was 100% in two care homes. The wording would be reviewed and revised for future reports.

The report was NOTED.

To consider a report of the Chair of the Remuneration and Nominations Committee, Care Dorset.

That the recommendation from the Remuneration and Nominations Committee for Care Dorset Holdings Limited and Care Dorset Limited, to continue the tenure for the existing Chair of the Boards, Caroline Tapster, for a further 3 years until June 2029, be approved.

Reason for the decision

To consider the continuation of the existing Chair of the Boards, Caroline Tapster for a further 3-year tenure until June 2029.

Prior to consideration of the agenda item, Caroline Tapster, Chair of the Care Dorset Boards, left the meeting.

The shareholder committee received a report which set out a recommendation from the Remuneration and Nominations Committee for Care Dorset Holdings Ltd and Care Dorset Limited, to continue the tenure of the existing Chair of the Boards, Caroline Tapster for a further 3 years, until June 2029.

The Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care commended the continuation of the current Chair of the Boards.

It was proposed by S Robinson seconded by R Biggs

Decision

That the recommendation from the Remuneration and Nominations Committee for Care Dorset Holdings Limited and Care Dorset Limited, to continue the tenure for the existing Chair of the Boards, Caroline Tapster, for a further 3 years until June 2029, be approved.

Reason for the decision

To consider the continuation of the existing Chair of the Boards, Caroline Tapster for a further 3-year tenure until June 2029.

Caroline Tapster returned to the meeting.

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) No 12 and 13 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).

It was proposed by S Robinson seconded by G Taylor

Decision

That the press and the public be excluded for the following items in view of the likely disclosure of exempt information within the meaning of paragraph 3 of Schedule 12 A to the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

Reason for taking the items in private

Paragraph 3 – Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

The livestream was concluded at this juncture.

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

That the Annual Business Plan for 2026/27 be approved.

Reason for the decision

As set out in the exempt report.

The shareholder committee considered a report of the Managing Director, Care Dorset, which presented the Annual Business Plan for Care Dorset for 2026/27. In presenting the business plan, the Managing Director set out the key strategic priorities for 2026/27.

Councillors reviewed the business plan, and responses were provided to questions and comments raised.

It was proposed by S Robinson seconded by B Wilson

Decision

That the Annual Business Plan for 2026/27 be approved.

Reason for the decision

As set out in the exempt report.

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

That the Remuneration Policy 2026-29 be approved, with a review period of three years.

Reason for the decision

As set out in the exempt report.

The shareholder committee received and considered a report of the Managing Director, Care Dorset, which presented and sought approval of the Remuneration Policy 2026-29. In presenting the report, the Managing Director confirmed that a change would be made to the final version of the document, to clarify the decision-maker in respect of the policy.

It was proposed by R Biggs seconded by S Robinson

Decision

That the Remuneration Policy 2026-29 be approved, with a review period of three years.

Reason for the decision

As set out in the exempt report.