Agenda and draft minutes

Due to the Chair of the shareholder committee having given apologies for the meeting, the Vice-chair, R Biggs, chaired the meeting.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 23 March 2026.

The minutes of the meeting held on 23 March 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 24 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 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 24 June 2026.

Dorset Council Constitution – Procedure Rule 13

There were no questions from councillors.

To note the shareholder committee terms of reference.

The terms of reference for the shareholder committee were noted.

To consider the draft Forward Plan.

The shareholder committee forward plan was noted.

The Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health reported that it was planned to hold a further summit between Dorset Council as shareholder and Care Dorset later in the year, which would provide an opportunity to meet informally to look at future development opportunities.

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, the Head of Older Peoples’ Commissioning and Homes First noted that full implementation of the new model for day opportunities was progressing which included a transition to a more flexible and sustainable model of delivery and focus on promoting independence. In addition, reference was made to supported living, with work to progress a second transitions property in Weymouth, strong performance in community reablement, the progression of redevelopment of Sidney Gale and work to explore opportunities for service development being undertaken by commissioners and Care Dorset.

In response to a question on progression to redevelop Sidney Gale, it was noted that further work was required to look at costs and other factors. A discussion paper would be brought to Cabinet at the appropriate time, later in 2026.

In respect of reablement centres, work was continuing with Care Dorset to develop the operational model for the future service. This would include consideration of issues around leasing properties and how the business model needed to be set up. Options would be discussed with the shareholder.

The Cabinet Member for Housing and Homelessness reported that work would be starting soon on a review of supported living, which would include consideration of the need for move-on accommodation. Input into this review was welcomed.

The report was NOTED.

To consider a report of the Chief Executive Officer, 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 reported that recruitment for a Non-Executive Director with commercial and business development expertise, would commence at the end of June 2026. This would ensure a range of expertise on the board and would support the board’s aspirations for growth of Care Dorset. In addition, it was noted that Dorset Council’s Chief Executive had joined a meeting of the board last week for a helpful discussion on how Care Dorset could support the council in its wider transformation programme, with further discussions to be held, and it was noted that a governance review was to be undertaken by Care Dorset to ensure the company was working in line with good corporate governance.

The Chief Executive Officer (Care Dorset) thanked all Care Dorset colleagues for their efforts in supporting people within the service during the recent hot weather. In addition, he provided an overview of the areas covered by the report including occupancy levels, day opportunities, community reablement and staff turnover and sickness levels. In respect of revenue, it was hoped that this would increase in the coming months and would be supported by a comprehensive marketing programme.

In response to a question regarding the council’s transition to a new model for day opportunities, it was reported that the service was performing well, with attendance above commissioned levels, including use on a private basis. The service was supporting people to be able to continue living in their own homes.

The Chief Executive Officer (Care Dorset) provided an overview of action taken in response to the recent period of hot weather. Lessons were being learnt and plans to be put in place to respond to hot weather situations in the future. A report would be provided to the shareholder.

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.