Decisions

Pending the completion of a 5 year lease of land for the stationing of mobile accommodation units for former rough sleepers at Mount Pleasant Park and Ride Car Park Mercery Road Weymouth DT3 3FA, a tenancy at will to allow the set up on the land. To provide associated facilities with subsequent reversion to use of site for park and ride parking.

To agree a review of the Planning Performance Agreement (PPA) with Persimmon Homes Ltd (the developer) relating to the proposed development of 502 dwellings and associated infrastructure at land east of Chickerell (application WD/D/20/002569). The PPA was originally agreed in December 2020 and sets out commitments on behalf of the Council and the developer in relation to the processing of application WD/D/20/002569. There is a fee associated with the PPA to ensure that the Council can meet its obligations. The PPA does not fetter the Council in any way from exercising its statutory duties as the Local Planning Authority and does not prejudice the outcomes of any planning decisions.

The review of the PPA includes revised performance deadlines, to enable more detailed negotiations of matters raised during the public consultation on the application.

The decision to agree the review of the PPA is taken under delegated powers, as set out in paragraph 136 of the Officer Scheme of Delegation. Paragraph 136 provides delegated powers to “undertake all action in respect of administering / processing any application under

any of the Town and Country Planning Legislation”. The Local Scheme of Nomination for Development Management and Enforcement includes delegation of these powers to the Service Manager for Development Management and Enforcement.

In relation to application 6/2020/0013 for 17 dwellings at White Lovington, Bere Regis to agree to vary the tenure of affordable housing from the original proposal presented to Committee on 7 April 2021.

Proposal agreed by Committee anticipated 100% affordable rented (6 houses and a contribution)

Revised proposal is for 4 affordable rented, two affordable intermediate (shared ownership) and an unamended contribution.

Authority is provided by paragraph 151 which reads:

To undertake all action in connection with any proposal / application for the cancellation, revocation, deletion, modification and/or variation to any agreement, deed, undertaking and/or any other document entered into wholly or partly pursuant to any Town and Country Planning Legislation provided that such power does not extend to the approval of an application to modify, vary or revoke an agreement or planning obligation:

(a) imposed by an express decision of Planning Committee; and

(b) where in his/her opinion such approval would result in a material reduction of benefit to the community secured pursuant to such agreement or obligation (as the case may be).

In this case the decision to enter into the planning obligation was imposed by the express decision of the Planning Committee but this decision to vary the details of the obligation would not result in a material reduction of benefit to the community, as the total number of affordable units provided will remain the same (6 houses and a contribution).

To consider the disposal of land at North Dorset business park.

Decision of the Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth, Assets and Property

(a)  That the conditional sale of 1.67 acres of employment land at North Dorset Business Park, Sturminster Newton be approved, in accordance with the details set out in the exempt report.

Decision - North Dorset Business \Park Land Disposal - Dorset Council (wdwp.local)

Reason for decision: The proposed sale of the site, if planning is granted for the proposed use, will secure a major retailer for Sturminster Newton in an area that is undersupplied at present. The sale will bring forward the development of a currently constrained brownfield site with the creation of c 40 new permanent jobs for the area. 

Seeking delegated authority to the portfolio holder for Corporate Development, in
consultation with the Executive Director of Place, to procure, award and contract services and enter into the necessary grant agreement (with BDUK) to procure up to 111 sites associated with the Gigabit Hub Connectivity in Rural Dorset (GHCiRD) project.

Decision of the Portfolio Holder for Corporate Development and Change

(a)  That the decision for contract award, following conclusion of the procurement process, be delegated to Cllr Peter Wharf as Portfolio Holder, after consultation with Aidan Dunn, Executive Director – Corporate Development.

(b)  That the decision to enter into the necessary subsequent grant agreements with Building Digital UK (BDUK), which is part of the Department for Digital, Culture Media and Sports (DCMS) to delivery this programme of activity, be agreed and delegated to Cllr Peter Wharf as Portfolio Holder, after consultation with Aidan Dunn, Executive Director – Corporate Development.

Decision - Officer delegated decision for procurement of Gigabit Hub Connectivity in Rural Dorset (GHCiRD - Dorset Council (wdwp.local)

Reason for the decision:

To enable the GHCiRD (BDUK) project to complete due diligence, grant agreement, contract award and finalisation which will facilitate the quickest possible deployment by December 2022

To discuss school expansion.

Decision of the Portfolio Holder of Children, Education, Skills and Early Help

(a)  Support the use of the former Wimborne First School site, in School Lane Wimborne, to increase the capacity of Beaucroft School to create additional specialist provision for Dorset children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

(b)  That the budget allocation as set out in Appendix 3 to enable the project to be delivered, be approved and authority be delegated to the Executive Director for People – Children to enter into a construction contract at the appropriate time, in line with an existing delegation, subject to the outcome of the formal consultation process and provided the project is within the set budget level.

(c)  That the commencement of the required 4 week formal consultation period, in consultation with the Governors of Beaucroft School to formally expand the capacity of the Beaucroft Foundation School by more than 10% or 20 places, at the appropriate time, be agreed.

(d)  That a report will be brought back to Cabinet for a decision on the formal expansion of the school following the consultation process.

(e)  To lease the former Wimborne First School site to the Governors of Beaucroft School for use as post 16 provision on terms to be agreed by the Executive Director of Place, noting that further legal advice is being sought on this matter.

Decision - SEND Capital Strategy: Expansion of Beaucroft School - Dorset Council (wdwp.local)

Reason for the decision:

To support the delivery of this project as part of the Special Education Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Capital Strategy 2020 – 2025 which was approved by Dorset Council Cabinet at its meeting on 8th December 2020.

Update to the published Local Development Scheme to reflect revised timetable for local plans and neighbourhood plans.

Decision of the Portfolio Holder for Planning

(a)  That the revised timetable for the production of the Dorset Council Local Plan within the Local Development Scheme, be acknowledged and

(b)  This would come into effect as of the date of this meeting.

Decision - Local Development Scheme Update - Dorset Council (wdwp.local)

Reason for the decision:

To enable the publication of the updated Local Development Scheme to outline the revised timetable for the production of the Dorset Council Local Plan as required by section 15 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 (as amended)

Deferred from 22 June 2021

To agree that the Low Carbon Dorset project can make payment of a grant totalling  £1,500,000 to Canford Renewable Energy IF the application from the said applicant is approved by the Low Carbon Dorset Grant Panel and Low Carbon Dorset Board on 23^rd June and 24^th June respectively.

Decision of the Portfolio Holder for Highways, Travel and Environment

(a)  That Low Carbon Dorset can issue a grant award letter for £1,500,000 to the Canford Renewable Energy project that has been approved by the Low Carbon Dorset Grants Panel and Board, given that the value is over the £500,000 threshold for Executive Director decision, be agreed

(b)  That, following any future decision by the Low Carbon Dorset grants panel and board to award grants over the key decision threshold of £500k, agreement to make any such award be delegated to the Executive Director for Place after consultation with the relevant portfolio holders. Any use of this proposed recommendation would be exercised transparently, being publicised in advance in the forward plan and afterwards in decision notices published on the Council’s website.

Decision - Low Carbon Dorset Grant payments Over £500,000 - Dorset Council (wdwp.local)

Reason for the Decision:

The Low Carbon Dorset grant fund and the method by which grants are paid out by Dorset Council and claimed back from the European Regional Development Fund has already been agreed by the predecessor Dorset County Council Cabinet. When the Low Carbon Dorset programme is successfully completed it will be cost neutral to Dorset Council. However, Cabinet is required to approve all key decisions with financial consequences of £500,000 or more.

To approve sale of lands at Dorset Innovation Park.

Decision of the Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth, Assets and Property

(a)  That the leasehold transaction as set out in the report be approved

(b)  That authority be delegated to the Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth, Assets & Property after consultation with the Executive Director for Place responsibility for agreeing the final terms of the sale

(c)  That authority be delegated to the Portfolio Holder of Economic Growth, Assets & Property in consultation with Executive Director for Place, the authority to approve future land sales at Dorset Innovation Park up to a value of £2m.

Decision - Land Sales and Future Process at Dorset Innovation Park - Dorset Council (wdwp.local)

Reason for decision:    

To facilitate land sales on Dorset Innovation Park in order to bring significant third-party investment to the park through the development of new high technology engineering facilities, thereby, satisfying the Park’s wider occupation policy and the Council’s economic development aims.

To review the policy for the transfer of assets to towns, parish and community groups.

Decision of the Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth, Assets and Property

(a)  That the Asset Transfer Policy relating to the transfer of Council owned property assets of both Low and High Value to Town & Parish Councils together with Voluntary and Community based (third sector) organisations, be agreed

(b)  That authority be delegated to the Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth, Assets and Property and the Portfolio Holder for Customer Services & Communities when acting in agreement with each other the authority to determine and approve all such transfers including those decisions that amount to key decisions.

Prior notice will be given in the forward plan for any proposal relating to a transfer amounting to a key decision albeit that the two portfolio holders are identified as the decision makers instead of Cabinet.

Decision - Asset Transfer Policy - Dorset Council (wdwp.local)

Reason for the decision:

Dorset Council recognises that the devolution of assets to local communities, particularly to town and parish councils and voluntary and community based organisations (third sector) can make a significant contribution to enabling them to be stronger, more resilient and sustainable in order to support services within their local areas.

To consider the Budget Performance report for Quarter 1.

Cabinet noted: -

(a)  the Senior Leadership Team’s forecast of outturn for the Council at the end of Qtr1 including progress of the transformation and tactical savings incorporated into the budget.

(b)  the size of the capital programme for 2021/22 including the slippage from previous years and the work taking place to review this position.

(c)  the opening position for the Medium-Term Financial Plan (MTFP) refresh and the budget timetable headlines.

(d)  the budget movements (virements) as set out within report.

A Homelessness & Rough Sleeper Strategy for Dorset Council replacing previous district and borough strategies. To determine, prioritise and explain the Council's strategy and action plan to meet our objectives to reduce homelessness and rough sleeping and improve services available to those households.

(a)  That the adoption of the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2021 - 2026 2, be approved.

(b)   That authority be delegated to the Portfolio holder for Housing and Community Safety to make minor amendments to the strategy and action plan and any amendments necessary to reflect legislative change.

Decision - Dorset Council Homelessness & Rough Sleeping Strategy 2021 - 2026 - Dorset Council (wdwp.local)

Reason for the decision:

To ensure Dorset Council has a legally compliant Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy that meets our responsibility for tackling and preventing homelessness

Decision

That the recommendations as set out in the exempt report to Cabinet of 27 July 2021 be approved. 

Reason for the decision

To facilitate land sales on Dorset Innovation Park

Reference documents

Agenda for Cabinet on Tuesday, 27th July, 2021, 10.00 am - Dorset Council (wdwp.local)

That the recommendations as set out in the exempt report to Cabinet of 27 July 2021 be approved. 

Decision

That the conditional sale of 1.67 acres of employment land at North Dorset Business Park, Sturminster Newton be approved, in accordance with the details set out in the exempt report.

Reason for the decision

The sale will bring forward the development of a currently constrained brownfield site with the creation of c 40 new permanent jobs for the area. 

Document Reference

Agenda for Cabinet on Tuesday, 27th July, 2021, 10.00 am - Dorset Council (wdwp.local)

That the conditional sale of 1.67 acres of employment land at North Dorset Business Park, Sturminster Newton be approved, in accordance with the details set out in the exempt report.

Decision

(a)  Support the use of the former Wimborne First School site, in School Lane Wimborne, to increase the capacity of Beaucroft School to create additional specialist provision for Dorset children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

(b)  That the budget allocation as set out in Appendix 3 to enable the project to be delivered, be approved and authority be delegated to the Executive Director for People – Children to enter into a construction contract at the appropriate time, in line with an existing delegation, subject to the outcome of the formal consultation process and provided the project is within the set budget level.

(c)  That the commencement of the required 4 week formal consultation period, in consultation with the Governors of Beaucroft School to formally expand the capacity of the Beaucroft Foundation School by more than 10% or 20 places, at the appropriate time, be agreed.

(d)  That a report will be brought back to Cabinet for a decision on the formal expansion of the school following the consultation process.

(e)  To lease the former Wimborne First School site to the Governors of Beaucroft School for use as post 16 provision on terms to be agreed by the Executive Director of Place, noting that further legal advice is being sought on this matter.

Reason for decision

To support the delivery of this project as part of the Special Education Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Capital Strategy 2020 – 2025 which was approved by Dorset Council Cabinet at its meeting on 8th December 2020.

Budget Implications

At their meeting on 6th April 2021 Cabinet agreed a funding commitment of between £35m and £40m to support the implementation of the SEND Capital Strategy, subject to feasibility studies and further planning and individual projects such as this would be brought forward for approval. Noting the funding already agreed for the project at St Mary’s which is known as the Dorset Centre of Excellence (Shaftesbury), this is the first project being brought forward to seek funding from this capital allocation. The estimated cost of works, and therefore budget allocation required to undertake the proposed works at the School Lane premises to make them suitable for use as Beaucroft College is set out in Appendix 3.

Reference documents

Agenda for Cabinet on Tuesday, 27th July, 2021, 10.00 am - Dorset Council (wdwp.local)

(a)  Support the use of the former Wimborne First School site, in School Lane Wimborne, to increase the capacity of Beaucroft School to create additional specialist provision for Dorset children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

(b)  That the budget allocation as set out in Appendix 3 to enable the project to be delivered, be approved and authority be delegated to the Executive Director for People – Children to enter into a construction contract at the appropriate time, in line with an existing delegation, subject to the outcome of the formal consultation process and provided the project is within the set budget level.

(c)  That the commencement of the required 4 week formal consultation period, in consultation with the Governors of Beaucroft School to formally expand the capacity of the Beaucroft Foundation School by more than 10% or 20 places, at the appropriate time, be agreed.

(d)  That a report will be brought back to Cabinet for a decision on the formal expansion of the school following the consultation process.

(e)  To lease the former Wimborne First School site to the Governors of Beaucroft School for use as post 16 provision on terms to be agreed by the Executive Director of Place, noting that further legal advice is being sought on this matter.

Decision

(a)  That the decision for contract award, following conclusion of the procurement process, be delegated to Cllr Peter Wharf as Portfolio Holder, after consultation with Aidan Dunn, Executive Director – Corporate Development.

(b)  That the decision to enter into the necessary subsequent grant agreements with Building Digital UK (BDUK), which is part of the Department for Digital, Culture Media and Sports (DCMS) to delivery this programme of activity, be agreed and delegated to Cllr Peter Wharf as Portfolio Holder, after consultation with Aidan Dunn, Executive Director – Corporate Development.

Reason for decision

To enable the GHCiRD (BDUK) project to complete due diligence, grant agreement, contract award and finalisation which will facilitate the quickest possible deployment by December 2022.

Budget Implications

Capital cost infrastructure budget implications being up to £2.5M grant funding, covered by formal grant agreement between BDUK and Dorset Council. Revenue costs to deliver the project will be managed within the Digital Place team, utilising existing transformation funding to March 2023. The ongoing revenue costs of the upgraded broadband will be met by Dorset Council for council sites and is expected to be cost neutral as IT Services will look to take advantage of the infrastructure to adopt a new approach which will be more cost effective than the current connectivity charges. Each school or other non-Dorset Council site is expected to meet the revenue costs for their site.

Reference Documents

Agenda for Cabinet on Tuesday, 27th July, 2021, 10.00 am - Dorset Council (wdwp.local)

Decision

(a)  That the decision for contract award, following conclusion of the procurement process, be delegated to Cllr Peter Wharf as Portfolio Holder, after consultation with Aidan Dunn, Executive Director – Corporate Development.

(b)  That the decision to enter into the necessary subsequent grant agreements with Building Digital UK (BDUK), which is part of the Department for Digital, Culture Media and Sports (DCMS) to delivery this programme of activity, be agreed and delegated to Cllr Peter Wharf as Portfolio Holder, after consultation with Aidan Dunn, Executive Director – Corporate Development.

Decision

(a)  That Low Carbon Dorset can issue a grant award letter for £1,500,000 to the Canford Renewable Energy project that has been approved by the Low Carbon Dorset Grants Panel and Board, given that the value is over the £500,000 threshold for Executive Director decision, be agreed

(b)  That, following any future decision by the Low Carbon Dorset grants panel and board to award grants over the key decision threshold of £500k, agreement to make any such award be delegated to the Executive Director for Place after consultation with the relevant portfolio holders. Any use of this proposed recommendation would be exercised transparently, being publicised in advance in the forward plan and afterwards in decision notices published on the Council’s website

Reason for decision

The Low Carbon Dorset grant fund and the method by which grants are paid out by Dorset Council and claimed back from the European Regional Development Fund has already been agreed by the predecessor Dorset County Council Cabinet.

Budget Implications

As set out within the committee report

Background documents

Agenda for Cabinet on Tuesday, 27th July, 2021, 10.00 am - Dorset Council (wdwp.local)

(a)  That Low Carbon Dorset can issue a grant award letter for £1,500,000 to the Canford Renewable Energy project that has been approved by the Low Carbon Dorset Grants Panel and Board, given that the value is over the £500,000 threshold for Executive Director decision, be agreed

(b)  That, following any future decision by the Low Carbon Dorset grants panel and board to award grants over the key decision threshold of £500k, agreement to make any such award be delegated to the Executive Director for Place after consultation with the relevant portfolio holders. Any use of this proposed recommendation would be exercised transparently, being publicised in advance in the forward plan and afterwards in decision notices published on the Council’s website

Decision

(a)  That the adoption of the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2021 - 2026, be approved.

(b)  That authority be delegated to the Portfolio holder for Housing and Community Safety to make minor amendments to the strategy and action plan and any amendments necessary to reflect legislative change.

Reason for the decision

To ensure Dorset Council has a legally compliant Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy that meets our responsibility for tackling and preventing homelessness

Consultees

People and Health Overview Committee of 6 July 2021 and other additional councillors. e group were supported by external consultants Neil Morland & Co. commissioned by the service and housing service staff.

Budget Implications

The resources required to deliver the housing service strategy are expected to be affected. A service wide restructure will be completed in 2021 which is intended to reprioritise council resources to deliver the strategy and action plan

(a)  That the adoption of the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2021 - 2026 , be approved.

(b)  That authority be delegated to the Portfolio holder for Housing and Community Safety to make minor amendments to the strategy and action plan and any amendments necessary to reflect legislative change.

Decision

(a)  That the Asset Transfer Policy relating to the transfer of Council owned property assets of both Low and High Value to Town & Parish Councils together with Voluntary and Community based (third sector) organisations, be agreed

(b)  That authority be delegated to the Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth, Assets and Property and the Portfolio Holder for Customer Services & Communities when acting in agreement with each other the authority to determine and approve all such transfers including those decisions that amount to key decisions.

Prior notice will be given in the forward plan for any proposal relating to a transfer amounting to a key decision albeit that the two portfolio holders are identified as the decision makers instead of Cabinet.

Reason for the decision

Dorset Council recognises that the devolution of assets to local communities, particularly to town and parish councils and voluntary and community based organisations (third sector) can make a significant contribution to enabling them to be stronger, more resilient and sustainable in order to support services within their local areas.

Consultees

Place & Resources Overview Committee – 1 June 2021

Budget Implications

As a result of transferring assets to Town & Parish Councils and or to Voluntary and Community groups the Council may decide to forego fully or partially the benefit of rental income or a potential capital receipt in ‘lieu’ of the social benefits that a transfer may provide.

Reference documents:

Agenda for Cabinet on Tuesday, 27th July, 2021, 10.00 am - Dorset Council

Decision

(a)  That the Asset Transfer Policy relating to the transfer of Council owned property assets of both Low and High Value to Town & Parish Councils together with Voluntary and Community based (third sector) organisations, be agreed

(b)  That authority be delegated to the Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth, Assets and Property and the Portfolio Holder for Customer Services & Communities when acting in agreement with each other the authority to determine and approve all such transfers including those decisions that amount to key decisions.

Prior notice will be given in the forward plan for any proposal relating to a transfer amounting to a key decision albeit that the two portfolio holders are identified as the decision makers instead of Cabinet.

Decision

That a 10% increase be applied to the garden waste service price for 2021-22. This will set the garden waste price at £57.00 for the 2021-22 service year.

Reason for the Decision

To cover the increase in costs of delivering the garden waste service and further contribute towards Waste Services overheads.

The 10% price increase is consistent with increases applied to other Council services where fees and charges are applicable (e.g. Country Parks parking charges).

Alternative Options considered and rejected

Six other options were considered and rejected as these either did not cover the service costs or would provide a surplus. These options were:

1)    Apply a 3% price increase

2)    Apply a 4% price increase

3)    Apply a 5% price increase

4)    Apply a 6% price increase

5)    Apply a 13% price increase

6)    Apply a 15% price increase

Consultees

Gemma Clinton, Head of Commercial Waste & Strategy

Karyn Punchard, Corporate Director for Place Services

Budget Implications

No significant budget implications identified

Legal Implications

Any Conflict of Interest

No conflict of interest

Decision

That a 10% increase be applied to the garden waste service price for 2021-22. This will set the garden waste price at £57.00 for the 2021-22 service year.

That:

(a)  The application to divert Footpath 106 and part of Footpath 94, Thorncombe and part of Footpath 65, Marshwoord and to create a new footpath connecting Gashay Farm be accepted and a diversion and creation order made.

(b)  The Orders include provisions to modify the definitive map and statement to record the changes made as a consequence of the diversions and creation; and

(c)  If the Orders are unopposed, they be confirmed by the Council.

Decision

(a)  That the Economic Development Strategy approved by Cabinet on 28 July 2020, be welcomed and recognise the important part that the strategy will play in improving social mobility throughout Dorset.

(b)  The lead responsibilities of the Cabinet Member for Children, Education, Skills and Early Help, be noted and the Executive Director for Place in relation to economic development and for improving social mobility.

(c)  That a strategic alliance be formed with partners and community representatives to build upon the objectives of the Economic Development Strategy by co-producing a targeted plan to improve social mobility in Dorset, be agreed

(d)  That the Place and Resources Scrutiny Committee undertake quarterly monitoring of progress towards achieving the objectives of the Economic Development Strategy and the plan to improve social mobility in Dorset as part of its ongoing performance management scrutiny responsibilities.

Executive Summary

This report provides the Economic Development Executive Advisory Panel’s response to the matters raised by the motion presented Dorset Council on 18 July 2019.

Reason for Recommendation

Improving social mobility aligns with the corporate aims for economic growth and strong healthy communities

Delegated Decision of the Executive Director for Place

(a)  That the Economic Development Strategy approved by Cabinet on 28 July 2020, be welcomed and recognise the important part that the strategy will play in improving social mobility throughout Dorset.

(b)  The lead responsibilities of the Cabinet Member for Children, Education, Skills and Early Help, be noted and the Executive Director for Place in relation to economic development and for improving social mobility.

(c)  That a strategic alliance be formed with partners and community representatives to build upon the objectives of the Economic Development Strategy by co-producing a targeted plan to improve social mobility in Dorset, be agreed

(d)  That the Place and Resources Scrutiny Committee undertake quarterly monitoring of progress towards achieving the objectives of the Economic Development Strategy and the plan to improve social mobility in Dorset as part of its ongoing performance management scrutiny responsibilities.

In the light of the Chief Executive’s decision of 22 July 2021 to reinstate informal virtual meetings, made in consultation with groups leaders, I have made a consequential decision to reinstate temporary standing orders as a framework to govern informal virtual meetings.  At the same time, I have amended the constitution to reinstate the delegations granted to officers at Full Council on 4 May 2021 to enable decisions to be made after taking into account the views of members at informal virtual meetings.

Decision

(a)  To make an order under section 10 of the Local Government Act 1972 to dissolve the Chedington Parish Council.

(b)  To grant delegated authority to the Chief Executive, after consultation with the ward member, to enable orders to be made under Part 1 of the Local Government Act 1972 to group, separate or dissolve parish councils without the need for individual decisions by the Full Council.

Executive Summary

Chedington has fewer than 150 local government electors and the parish meeting has applied to Dorset Council to dissolve the Parish Council. Previously Chedington was part of the grouped Parrett and Axe Parish Council. Whereas South Perrott was able to return parish councillors Chedington could not do so and this has continued to be the case since the Group was dissolved. No one at all is prepared to serve as a parish councillor, leading the Chedington Parish Meeting to request a dissolution.

Reason for the decision

Dissolution of the Parish Council has been requested by Chedington Parish meeting.

Delegated Decision of the Corporate Director for Legal and Democratic

(a)  To make an order under section 10 of the Local Government Act 1972 to dissolve the Chedington Parish Council.

(b)  To grant delegated authority to the Chief Executive, after consultation with the ward member, to enable orders to be made under Part 1 of the Local Government Act 1972 to group, separate or dissolve parish councils without the need for individual decisions by the Full Council.

Decision

That the Terms of Reference for a Community Governance Review of all parishes in the Dorset Council area be adopted.

Reason for Recommendation

To ensure that community governance arrangements within the area under review are reflective of the identities and interests of the community in that area.

Executive Summary

A community governance review looks at the governance arrangements of parishes in the area under review – in this case the whole of the Dorset Council Area – and seeks to ensure that these are reflective of the identities and interests of the community in that area.

In undertaking the Review, Dorset Council (“the Council”) will comply with the requirements of Part 4 of the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 (“the 2007 Act”) and the relevant parts of the Local Government Act 1972, and have regard to Guidance on Community Governance Reviews issued in accordance with section 100(4) of the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 by the Department of Communities and Local Government and the Local Government Boundary Commission for England in March 2010.

The Council will also give due consideration to the Guidance on Community Governance Reviews issued by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government published in 2008.

Background documents

Agenda for Dorset Council on Thursday, 15th July, 2021, 6.30 pm - Dorset Council (wdwp.local)

Delegated Decision of the Corporate Director for Legal and Democratic

That the Terms of Reference for a Community Governance Review of all parishes in the Dorset Council area be adopted.

Decision

That the Youth Justice Plan be adopted.

Executive Summary

Under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 there is a statutory requirement to publish an annual Youth Justice Plan which must provide specified information about the local provision of youth justice services. The Youth Justice Board provides guidance about what must be included in the plan and recommends a Page 203structure for the plan. The draft Youth Justice Plan for the Dorset Combined Youth Justice Service is attached at Appendix One. A brief summary of the Youth Justice Plan is provided in this report.

Reason for Recommendation

Local authorities are required to publish an annual Youth Justice Plan, setting out how the statutory requirements for a multi-agency youth offending team are fulfilled locally. Dorset Combined Youth Justice Service is a partnership between Dorset Council and Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council, along with Dorset Police, NHS Dorset Clinical Commissioning Group and the National Probation Service Dorset. Approval for the Youth Justice Plan is also being sought from Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council. The Youth Justice Plan needs to be approved by the full Council.

Background documents

Agenda for Dorset Council on Thursday, 15th July, 2021, 6.30 pm - Dorset Council (wdwp.local)

Delegated Decision of the Executive Director for People - Children

That the Youth Justice Plan be adopted.

Decision

That the Dorset Council Climate and Ecological Emergency Strategy and Action Plan be adopted.

Details

Dorset Council declared a Climate and Ecological Emergency in 2019 and established an Executive Advisory Panel to strategically guide the Councils response. A draft Climate and Ecological Emergency Strategy and Action Plan was produced and approved for public consultation by Cabinet in October 2020.

A public consultation exercise on the Strategy and Action plan started in October 2020 and closed on 20th January 2021. The analysis of the consultation results highlighted an overall high level of agreement for the Councils strategy and action plan. Further consideration of over 12,000 text responses highlighted a number of key issues for each area of the strategy.

 The results of the consultation were discussed with the Executive Advisory Panel on 25th February 2021, together with suggested changes to the Strategy and Action plan.

This paper sets out the findings of the consultation exercise and proposed changes to the Dorset Council Climate and Ecological Emergency Strategy and Action plan for approval by Cabinet.

The Climate and Ecological Strategy and Action Plan is a living document that reflects the scale of the challenge and complexity of the issue. It aims to set an initial road map and direction of travel but recognises at this stage there is still further work to do. Many of the actions are therefore aimed at more detailed investigation and the development of more detailed initiatives.

All the actions have target dates for completion and can therefore be monitored and evaluated against them. The monitoring and evaluation of the strategy should be on a six monthly basis and take the form of a report to the Policy and Overview Committee.

Reason for the decision

Dorset Council declared a Climate and Ecological Emergency in 2019 and established an Executive Advisory Panel to strategically guide the Councils response. A draft Climate and Ecological Emergency Strategy and Action Plan was produced and approved for public consultation by Cabinet in October 2020.

Background documents

Agenda for Dorset Council on Thursday, 15th July, 2021, 6.30 pm - Dorset Council (wdwp.local)

Delegated Decision of the Executive Director for Place

That the Dorset Council Climate and Ecological Emergency Strategy and Action Plan be adopted.

The Notice of Motion was debated and amended at Dorset Council on 15 July 2021.  The Chief Executive considered the background information and listened to the debate and the “minded to” decision.

Background documents

Agenda for Dorset Council on Thursday, 15th July, 2021, 6.30 pm - Dorset Council (wdwp.local)

Delegated Decision of the Chief Executive

With the acknowledgement of staff workload, and with grateful thanks to them, it is proposed that a review of the DC governance take place over this current term with a voting before the 2024 election.

To reinstate informal virtual meetings

To move in-person meetings back into informal virtual meetings reflecting the rise in COVID cases locally, in order to protect elected members, staff and the public.