Community Conversations

During summer and autumn 2026, Dorset Council is hosting a series of meetings in 13 different locations across the county. The sessions will bring together local organisations, town and parish councils, councillors, health partners and council staff for open and honest conversations. The aim is to understand how we can work more closely with communities by exploring local challenges and opportunities, and shaping solutions together.

How it will work:

1. We will bring together partners from nearby towns and villages into 13 local groups, which we are calling ‘clusters’.
2. Each cluster will hold two main sessions:

• the first session, during July/August/September, will bring partners together to share, learn, and explore opportunities
• in the second session in the autumn, partners will work together to design local improvements

The sessions will be friendly and welcoming and we will make sure that everyone’s voice is heard. After each conversation we will update this page with the themes that are raised. 

What this will lead to:

• a clearer picture of each area’s strengths and needs
• ideas for local forums that help residents and communities have a stronger say
• options for services or community buildings that could be managed locally
• suggestions for how Dorset Council can work differently to be a better partner
• early ideas for community led projects

Why we're doing this:

• it’s the right thing to do – enabling decisions to be made as locally as possible, with people involved in shaping what matters to them
• it will improve outcomes – better understanding of local needs leads to better, more joined up services and support
• it will strengthen Dorset Council’s sustainability – prevention, partnership and community resilience reduce demand on statutory services and therefore costs

How to get involved

The sessions are designed to bring together community partners, such as representatives from town and parish councils and local charities, rather than individual residents. However, in the long term, one of the key aims of the work is to bring decision-making closer to communities.

If you represent a voluntary or community sector organisation and are interested in being involved, please complete this short form to register.

Most other partners should have already been contacted directly by us and will receive an invitation to their local event in the coming weeks. If you think you have been missed, or if you have any questions, please get in touch by emailing [email protected]. 

If you have an idea or thought you would like to contribute, please get in touch with your town or parish councillor or Dorset Council ward member. You can find out who that is by adding your postcode to My local information - Dorset Council then selecting the "My council" tab.