Cluster 11
High Stoy, Haydon, North Wootton, Yeohead and Castleton, Sherborne, Queen Thorne, Bradford Abbas, Thornhackett, Clifton Maybank, Yetminster and Ryme Intrinseca, Melbury Osmond, Chetnole and Stockwood, Cam Vale, Leigh, Melbury Bubb, Evershot, Melbury Sampford and Folke.
At their first Community Conversation, held on 13 October at Leigh Village Hall, participants from the voluntary and community (VCS) organisations, town and parish councils, health partners, Dorset Council and elected members discussed a range of issues and opportunities affecting the local area. From these discussions, several themes and insights emerged to help shape a second, more focused conversation about priorities and future actions, which will take place on 11 November at Leigh Village Hall.
Devolution of assets, services and funding
Participants highlighted funding as essential to enabling communities to develop projects and take on greater responsibility. There was support for more flexible and collaborative approaches, including clustering smaller communities to build capacity.
Capacity varies across communities, with volunteer, staffing and skills constraints limiting what some areas can deliver. While there was interest in greater local management of assets and services, participants felt that any transfer of responsibility should be accompanied by appropriate funding, support and governance arrangements.
Local decision-making
Participants felt that decisions should be informed more consistently by local knowledge and direct engagement. While town and parish councils play an important role, they were not always seen as sufficient on their own to reflect the full range of community views.
There were also calls for clearer feedback about how community input has influenced decisions and why particular outcomes were reached. Participants felt that earlier engagement and more accessible feedback could strengthen confidence in consultation and local decision-making.
Prevention and community-based support
Participants wanted support to reach people before difficulties become crises, particularly children, young people and families. Trusted community settings were seen as valuable opportunities to engage people who may struggle to access formal services.
Opportunities and support for young people
Young people's access to activities, support and involvement in decision-making was a recurring concern. Participants highlighted declining recreational opportunities and the need to engage young people through a wider range of channels, not solely through schools.
Stronger partnership with Dorset Council
Participants called for simpler, more personal and locally connected communication with Dorset Council, including face-to-face engagement alongside digital channels. They noted that digital infrastructure and accessibility vary across the area, making a blended approach important.
Participants also felt that unclear responsibilities between Dorset Council and town and parish councils can make issues difficult to navigate. They wanted systems and processes that resolve problems effectively without requiring communities to understand organisational boundaries.
Transport and rural accessibility
Limited public transport, costly alternatives and poor connections can restrict access to healthcare, education and other services, particularly for people living in villages outside Sherborne. Community transport was highlighted as an important local response, while Sherborne itself was seen as benefiting from comparatively stronger rail and bus connections.
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.