This is a summary of our performance against our Council Plan priorities in 2025/26 (April 2025 to March 2026).
The next refresh will take place in September and will include performance information from the first quarter of 2026/27 (April to June 2026).
You can also learn more about how we are doing on our Council Plan performance dashboard. The dashboard is hosted on PowerBI so is best viewed on a larger screen.
For a more detailed update on our progress, read the Council Plan mid-year progress report (PDF) considered by Cabinet on 9 December 2025. An end-of-year progress report will be shared in July 2026.
Status meanings
We use a red, amber and green scale to monitor how we're progressing.
- Green means on or above target and progressing well
- Amber means slightly below target and/or needs some attention
- Red means below target and requires urgent action.
Provide affordable and high-quality housing
Key actions
There are 5 key actions. 2 are rated green, 2 are rated amber, and 1 has been completed.
Target measures
There are 8 target measures. 1 is rated green, 5 are rated amber, and 2 are rated red.
Q4 delivery highlights
Dorset Council urged local private landlords to get ready for significant reforms coming into force as part of the upcoming Renters Rights Act. Read more about the changes.
Rough sleeper numbers across the Dorset Council area fell to their lowest level since 2022, bucking both the regional and national upward trends. Read more, including information about funding and the coordinated approach to tackling homelessness.
Grow our economy
Key actions
There are 11 key actions. 6 are rated green and 5 are rated amber.
Target measures
There are 6 target measures. 1 is rated green and 5 are rated amber.
Q4 delivery highlights
Dorset Council backs Morwind feasibility study to drive growth and power Dorset's future. Read more about the investment and potential benefits from the project.
More space is being created for growing businesses at Dorset Innovation Park as new companies move to the site and an existing tenant expands its presence. Learn more about the expansion.
Communities for all
Key actions
There are 11 key actions. 9 are rated green and 2 are rated amber.
Target measures
There are 7 target measures. 5 are rated green and 2 are rated amber.
Q4 delivery highlights
People in Littlemoor and Broadwey to benefit from £20m in extra funding, thanks to the UK Government's Pride in Place programme. Learn more about the funding, including applications to join a new Neighbourhood Board to help plan how the investment is spent.
Dorset Council and partners have launched the Early Help Strategy 2026 - 2029. Read more about the bold plan that will make Dorset the best place to be a child, and the best place to raise a family.
Respond to the climate and nature crisis
Key actions
There are 8 key actions. 6 are rated green, 1 is rated amber, and 1 is rated red.
Target measures
There are 12 target measures. 7 are rated green, 2 are rated amber, and 3 are rated red.
Q4 delivery highlights
Dorset homeowners and landlords can now get free, tailored advice on making their homes warmer and more affordable to run, thanks to a new online tool launched by Dorset Council. Learn more about Homewise and the Blanket Bison.
Dorset's Local Nature Recovery Strategy has been officially launched at a partnership event celebrating local work to restore wildlife and habitats across the county. Learn more about the 10-year plan and how to monitor progress of the strategy.