Cluster 13
At their second Community Conversation, held on 11 September at Harman's Cross Village Hall, participants from the voluntary and community sector (VCS) organisations, town and parish councils, health partners, Dorset Council and elected members discussed several themes that emerged from the first conversation and explored priorities and future actions in more detail.
This document summarises the priorities and early ideas identified for each theme at this session. These have been grouped into two sections: themes where action can be taken locally, and themes that have also emerged through other Community Conversations and would benefit from a Dorset-wide approach involving collaboration across the county.
Local themes
Young people and employment
Access to opportunities for young people, and ensuring their voices are heard, was identified as a local priority.
Early ideas included:
- developing a young people's hub
- establishing a youth voice group involving town and parish councils, schools and youth organisations
Access to healthcare
Participants discussed opportunities to improve access to healthcare through stronger partnership working and a more local, person-centred approach.
Early ideas included:
- improving the quality and sharing of local data.
- promoting available services and strengthening community signposting, building on existing voluntary sector support.
- reviewing local transport needs.
- creating community support roles.
- developing a local hub to improve communication between communities, services and the voluntary sector
Transport and rurality
Limited transport options were identified as a challenge for rural communities, affecting access to services, employment and healthcare.
Early ideas included:
- increasing awareness of Norden Park and Ride and improving its accessibility and affordability
- exploring alternatives such as community minibuses and the use of Dorset Council vehicles during off-peak periods
- making better use of public bridleways, including for cycling, with support from parish councils
- ensuring young people have a voice in shaping local transport solutions
Working together for sustainable services
Participants recognised the importance of strengthening partnership working and improving awareness of existing local activity and support.
Early ideas included:
- raising awareness of local forums, their purpose and how people can get involved.
- sharing examples of good practice to demonstrate the benefits of partnership working.
- clarifying the role and responsibilities of town and parish councils and sharing this information through existing networks and events such as the DAPTC Conference.
Dorset-wide themes
Devolution of assets and services
Participants explored opportunities for more services to be delivered locally, supported by appropriate funding, capacity and expertise.
Early ideas included:
- developing local co-ordinator roles to support delivery across services such as waste, highways and greenspaces
- testing models where towns provide support to neighbouring parishes
- providing support for town and parish councils and voluntary organisations, including capacity building, resilience planning, legal advice and business skills, to support local ownership and management of assets and services
Local decision-making
There was support for clearer and more inclusive decision-making processes that strengthen engagement between Dorset Council, town and parish councils, and the voluntary sector.
Early ideas included:
- providing greater clarity about how decisions are made and how local organisations can influence them
- testing and developing approaches such as Local Alliance Groups to establish shared priorities and ensure a wider range of local issues are recognised and addressed
Clear and joined-up support
Participants recognised that town and parish councils and voluntary sector organisations already provide an important local point of contact for many residents.
Early ideas included:
- creating accessible information that explains council structures, key contacts and responsibilities
- building on existing community link models that are working well to strengthen connections between Dorset Council, town and parish councils, and the voluntary sector
Housing
Increasing the supply of social and affordable housing was identified as a key priority.
Early ideas included:
- Dorset Council making land available for development in partnership with Community Land Trusts
- exploring opportunities to acquire properties and bring them into community ownership, including through town and parish councils
Find out more about Community Conversations
To learn more about Community Conversations, find out how conversations are taking place across Dorset and how local feedback is helping to shape future plans.