Dorset, a great place to live, work and visit

We reached out to our communities in 2021 to ask how we can make Dorset a great place to live, work and visit. 

Our refreshed Council Plan is the result of this response and shows our shared desire to see our communities thrive and prosper.  

This ambitious and bold Council Plan now includes the councillors’ 10 cabinet commitments to you, our residents and partners. It also sets out the council’s five key priorities to be delivered in the next two years, to 2024.

Read our documents

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Our five strategic priorities

Our vision is underpinned by five key priorities for 2022-24, they outline the steps we will take to make Dorset a great place to live, work and visit.
Money on a blue background representing driving economic prosperity
People on an orange background representing creating stronger, healthier communities
White house on purple background representing creating sustainable developments
Whit butterfly on green background representing Protecting our natural environment
People on a turquoise background representing becoming a more responsive customer focused council

We remain focused on improving the lives of people as well as protecting and enhancing our local places. These reflect our key areas of focus over the next two years and are collectively established from the following:

  • the local political vision and manifesto
  • our transformation principles
  • planned improvement of our core services
  • response to legislative change or government initiatives

In addition to these priorities, there will be times when we must respond quickly during times of emergency or crisis and will adapt our planning. For 2022-24 this includes, but is not limited to, leading a local response on the following:

  • the COVID-19 pandemic response and recovery
  • the war in Ukraine and the provision of asylum to families
  • the cost-of-living crisis and the impact of this on residents and businesses in Dorset

Delivery Plan and strategies that support our Council Plan

We have a Delivery Plan and a number of strategies that support our Council Plan. This sets out in detail how we will deliver our priorities over the next two years. Key actions for each priority are monitored and reported on a quarterly basis to the Cabinet and annually in a report prepared for all councillors, residents, businesses, and partners.

Dorset Council refers to all the people we work with, support and work for as ‘our customers’. This includes all individuals, families, groups and businesses that interact with the council or one of its partners.