Agenda, decisions and minutes

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 3 November 2025.

The minutes of the meeting held on 3 November 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 30 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 30 January 2026.

Dorset Council Constitution – Procedure Rule 13

There were no questions from councillors.

To consider the draft Forward Plan.

The Forward Plan was noted.

To consider a report of the Head of Growth and Economic Regeneration.

The shareholder committee received a report of the Head of Growth and Regeneration, which presented an update on the current position regarding the establishment of Dorset Innovation Park Ltd.

In presenting the report, the officer noted that progress continued towards the establishment of both a Services Contract – the services the company would be supplying the Council, and a Support Contract – the services that the Council would be supplying to the company to support the delivery of the company business plan. It was planned to bring the two documents to the next meeting of the shareholder committee. In addition, an update was provided regarding the commissioning of expert advice from hotel specialists, to understand the feasibility and viability of a hotel development to service the site and local visitor economy.

Councillors considered the issues covered by the report and during discussion, points were raised in the following areas:

·       In response to a question, the Managing Director noted that as part of the company set up, regular meetings were held with Dorset Council officers, and data was being made available. Further processes needed to be completed for the company to take over a number of operations from June

·       It was confirmed that although the company would manage property on site, property would be retained as council assets

·       A discussion was held regarding travel surveys that had been undertaken in connection with access to the site. Further investigation would be required in terms of the long-term aspiration to improve provision of access to the site

·       A separate discussion would take place with Wool Parish Council in respect of potential transport provision within the locality.

The report was NOTED.

To consider a report of the Managing Director, Dorset Innovation Park Ltd.

Please note that Appendix 1 – 2026/27 Dorset Innovation Park Ltd Business Plan, is an exempt document (paragraph 3).

That the Shareholder Committee:

a)    Approve the presented 2026/27 annual business plan for Dorset Innovation Park Ltd, and;

b)    Note the progress made on company development and the transition of responsibilities to Dorset Innovation Park Ltd, and support the continued cooperation between the Council and the Company.

Reason for the decision

Progress continues to be sustained enabling the company to focus on developing a Business Plan and delivering a high-quality innovation park for the benefit of the council, its tenants and wider economic prosperity.

The shareholder committee considered a report of the Managing Director, Dorset Innovation Park Ltd, which provided an update on the current situation at the Dorset Innovation Park Ltd and presented the 2026/27 annual business plan for approval.

The Managing Director provided a presentation at the meeting which included updates since the last meeting of the shareholder committee, an overview of activity contained within the business plan and an overview of required processes, and capital and revenue expenditure required in order to achieve the vision for and operation of the park.

A discussion was held and points were raised in the following areas:

·       The Managing Director provided an overview of his previous experience which would be relevant to the plans for the Dorset Innovation Park

·       Councillors welcomed opportunities to streamline processes in order to progress development of the park

·       The agreement of a site master vision was key for effective working between the innovation park and the council

·       A discussion was held regarding legal input and requirements. The Dorset Council Legal team had been working closely with officers and the company in terms of the set-up processes and would continue to be part of the transition meetings. In addition, the company was putting in place their external legal arrangements. There was confidence that the emerging model would prove effective

·       There was a shared aspiration for the park to succeed and to achieve a turnaround of the financial position, and part of the transition was to ensure that all parties understood and agreed required timescales for objectives

·       A point was raised that there needed to be more balanced information in reporting, to include information about any current issues with the site and tenants. There also needed to be recognition of risks, such as any financial risks, including in relation to future funding by the council

·       In terms of the development of the master vision, there was a request that the income generation of the site be maximised

·       The Managing Director provided an overview of support being provided to tenants, including support to start-up companies and an update could be provided at a future meeting

·       It was noted that regular discussion was held with tenants in terms of addressing any issues

·       The position with aged debt and debt recovery was raised and a request for an item to consider this at the next meeting of the shareholder committee

·       A discussion was held regarding issues around capital required to develop the park

·       Further consideration was required in terms of the local development order and issues around future development of the wider site.

It was proposed by R Biggs seconded by B Wilson

Decision

That the Shareholder Committee:

a)    Approve the presented 2026/27 annual business plan for Dorset Innovation Park Ltd, and;

b)    Note the progress made on company development and the transition of responsibilities to Dorset Innovation Park Ltd, and support the continued cooperation between the Council and the Company.

Reason for the decision

Progress continues to be sustained enabling the company to focus  ...  view the full minutes text for item 33.

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 11 and 12 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) 1 and 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 items in private

Paragraph 1 - Information relating to any individual.

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 Bartlett seconded by R Biggs

Decision

That the press and the public be excluded for the following item in view of the likely disclosure of exempt information within the meaning of paragraph 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

Reason for taking the item in private

Paragraph 1 – Information relating to any individual.

Dorset Innovation Park Ltd company representatives left the meeting at this point.

Exempt Appendix associated with agenda item 8 – Dorset Innovation Park Ltd Managing Director Update and approval of Business Plan.

There was one exempt appendix associated with agenda item 8 – Dorset Innovation Park Ltd Managing Director Update and Approval of Business Plan. However, the shareholder committee did not go into exempt business to discuss the appendix.

To consider a report of the Head of Growth and Economic Regeneration.

That the Shareholder Committee agree recommendations 2 and 3 as set out in the exempt report.

Reason for the decision

As set out in the exempt report.

The shareholder committee considered an exempt report of the Head of Growth and Regeneration with regard to the board composition.

It was proposed by R Biggs seconded by S Clifford.

Decision

That the Shareholder Committee agree recommendations 2 and 3 as set out in the exempt report.

Reason for the decision

As set out in the exempt report.