Category: Notice

Show Your Support and Help Secure Increased Police Funding for Dorset

Dear resident

I am writing to ask that you take part in a government consultation to highlight the imbalance in funding for rural police forces.  Alongside the National Rural Crime Network, we are urging the government to reconsider how police forces are funded, and specifically to take account of the higher costs of policing rural areas.

Dorset has been hit with central government budget cuts of £14.8m since 2010, which is over 20% of the total money handed down from government.  When taking inflation into account the 20% cut becomes a 30% cuts in real terms. This has impacted the number of officers and staff with 16% fewer officers policing Dorset since 2010 and 9% fewer staff supporting operational teams.

Officers in Dorset patrol 1,024 square miles with only 6.3% of the county being classified as ‘urban’.  Rural crime is very different to criminal activities that take place in our major towns and it is vital this is recognised nationally.  I would ask all resident to take part in the consultation and I will continue to lobby government to ensure fair funding for Dorset.

To download a pre written letter to the policing minister or to sign the petition, please visit www.dorset.pcc.police.uk/RPM

Thanks for your support.

Martyn Underhill
Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner

Help & Care – Training Workshops for Carers

Are you a carer?

Do you care for a family member of friend?

Caring for a family member or friend can be a rewarding and fulfilling experience. However it can also present challenges, especially when faced with new situations. Most carers at some point will need help and advice, so that the best care can continue to be given.

Help & Care in partnership with Dorset Healthcare will be running free informal training workshops during September 2015.

Please follow the link below for more information –

Help & Care Training Workshops 2015 to 2016

Dates for the remainder of 2015/16 are to follow

BBC Trust Consultation on local radio – Communication from DorBAG

Please find below a communication from the Dorset Broadcasting Action Group on the consultation by the BBC Trust on local radio –

Ladies & Gentlemen,

I can now tell you that the BBC Trust has just launched its Public Consultation on Local Radio – see http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbctrust/news/press_releases/2015/local_radio_review.   You will note that they will accept postal and telephoned responses as well as those online.    (Although the BBC is awaiting the outcomes of the Governments’ review of the BBC Charter next year, I have been told it should not affect this consultation – and hopefully any decisions taken from it.   The BBC Recently amended their strategy to focus heavily on local radio, so this should give us a very good chance.)   We are aware  that many in the Bournemouth & Poole areas rely on BBC Radio Solent and are content with it.   I very much hope that those in the east of the county will anyway support this campaign as, if it is successful, it would mean they would receive an additional all Dorset local station, not a replacement of Radio Solent.  Thus they would get the best of both worlds.

You may well know that we are the only county in the south of England that does not have its own full time BBC county radio station!   Albeit, we do have the part-time weekday breakfast programme (0630 to 0900) on 103.8FM & the Saturday morning “Big Breakfast Brunch”(0800 to 1100) also on 103.8FM, but they only reach areas mainly around Dorchester (where the BBC Studio is), and Weymouth and Portland.   The programmes are good, but as far as reception is concerned, when you move outside the official (limited) coverage area it is very much “pot luck” if you can get it at all.

Firstly therefore, they clearly need to improve the existing transmitter coverage such that everyone in the county, wherever they are, can actually receive the programme.    Then presumably, the BBC would upgrade the existing, part-time programmes to a full county-wide radio station (which should then be called “BBC Radio Dorset”) – and not as it is at the moment, a part-time “opt-out” from BBC Radio Solent from Southampton.    Presently, Radio Solent tends to focus most material & its sports reports on Hampshire.   It is time we had our own programme that would then be able focus on all of Dorset’s news and sport right across the county!

Without our own local BBC Radio Station, we do not have warning information in the event of traffic delays, severe weather, major accidents/events/disasters etc.    It is also rather frustrating, to be told on BBC TV to “listen to your local BBC radio station for more information” when we don’t have one!    Apart from very limited FM reception, we don’t even have an online stream for the Breakfast programmes, so there is just no way the broadcast can be heard in all of the county.   Why should we be treated differently to Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, Wiltshire etc.?

Regarding the questionnaire, after having read through the preamble, click on “contribute to the consultation online,” then at the bottom of the new page click on “Give Us Your Views – Online Survey” which takes you to the questionnaire itself.    You will notice that Question 5 lists all their county radio stations – Dorset is noticeable by its absence!!    Clearly the form is essentially designed to get feedback from those who can receive their own local county radio, which clearly does not include us!      So this is a great opportunity to respond to the questions emphasising the lack of BBC Radio Dorset and make our case for a full BBC Radio Dorset station at every opportunity.

This, I am told, may well be our very last chance – so we need to summon up as much support as possible!   Clearly, we must encourage as many people to respond to this consultation as possible.    I do hope that organisations will encourage their members to respond.    And, of course, we all need to inform members of the public asking them to respond if we possibly can.   Formally and via friends, neighbours etc.

An important point to note.  We are told by BBC management that the only reason Dorset was given the Breakfast programmes in 2013, after such a very long and frustrating fight, was entirely because of the strong response from Dorset to their previous consultation.   So the BBC Trust obviously listens to & takes note of the feedback!

I hope you will be able to help, and my very grateful thanks for your continued support.

Best wishes,

Ken Pett – Founder – The Dorset Broadcasting Action Group (DorBAG).

 

 

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PR 4219 – £50k to help Dorset business women go digital

Stourpaine White Horse Pub£50k to help Dorset business women go digital

Dorset business women are getting another chance to improve their digital skills when a £50k programme gets underway in the autumn. The second Dorset Business Women go Digital programme will help women start and grow their businesses by developing their skills, knowledge and confidence of using digital technology.

The first Dorset Business Women go Digital programme which finished in March helped 120 women-led businesses. Following its success, Government Equalities Office has offered Superfast Dorset further grant funding to help those women continue their digital journey as well as helping women just starting to develop their digital know-how.

Colin Jamieson holds the Economy portfolio for Dorset County Council, one of the Superfast Dorset partners. He said:

“Women face particular challenges in the workplace, often having to juggle caring responsibilities which mean they need to work flexibly and having a gap in their careers which mean they can fall behind as technology advances.

“There could be an extra one million female entrepreneurs if women started businesses at the same rate as men. We want to help Dorset business women go digital which will help them start and build businesses here.”

Nicci Campbell, who runs the Angel Cake Company in Dorchester, benefited from the first programme and is hoping the new programme will help build her business even more. She said:

“I was a complete Luddite; I had no idea how to use digital technology until I went to the project launch conference in the autumn. Over the next few months I went to sessions on using Facebook, blogging and understanding Google Analytics.

“It has made a tremendous difference to our business, helping it grow by 60%. We are now looking to expand and hope the new programme can help us reach the next level.”

The new programme will help women to support each other through networking while ‘digital heroines’ like Nicci will inspire others with their stories of how smarter use of digital technology is helping them. It will be available to all women-led businesses across Dorset, with emphasis on rural areas.

Further information about the programme will be announced in the autumn through business networks. Follow @superfastdorset or visit www.dorsetforyou.com/superfast for details.

For more information about the Superfast Dorset rollout of faster, more reliable broadband across Dorset, visit www.dorsetforyou.com/superfast

ENDS

Enquiries about this news release should be made to:
• Penny Syddall on 01305 225065

Superfast Dorset is a partnership between BT, the Department of Media, Culture and Sport, Dorset County Council, Bournemouth Borough Council, the Borough of Poole, Christchurch Borough Council, East Dorset District Council, North Dorset District Council, Purbeck District Council, West Dorset District Council and Weymouth and Portland Borough Council.

Issued by:
Melissa Craven, Communications and Marketing Officer
Tel: 01305 224491
Email: m.craven@dorsetcc.gov.uk

Communications Unit, County Hall, Dorchester DT1 1XJ. Tel 01305 224491
www.dorsetforyou.com/news

[#RL-4219:635725629662428005#]

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PR 4223 – C13 – HGVs going one way

C13DCC
HGVs going one way

A possible solution to the problems of HGVs travelling between Blandford and Shaftesbury is being trialled from next week.

Dorset County Council has discussed the issue with local and national haulage companies to try and alleviate the problems caused when two large vehicles try and pass each other along the narrower sections on these roads.

A trial of an unofficial, voluntary HGV one-way system will start on Monday 20 July. HGV, who are taking part, will travel north towards Shaftesbury on the A350 and south towards Blandford on the C13.

Cllr Peter Finney, county council Cabinet member for environment, said:

“This solution will not reduce the number of HGVs using these routes, but it will lessen the likelihood of two HGV’s [sic] travelling in opposite directions trying to pass each other at a pinch point. This causes disruption and delays to all highway users and impacts on local communities.

“This is the first of a number of initiatives to reduce the impact on roads in North Dorset. We will continue to work with local communities to find more solutions.”

The trial will continue until the C13 at Melbury Abbas is closed again when work will start on stabilising Dinah’s Hollow. The road has been closed for over a year due to the risk to road users from the unstable slopes. A date for this work has not been set.

More information about Dinah’s Hollow can be found at www.dorsetforyou.com/dinahs-hollow

Issued By:
Fiona King, Public Relations Officer
Tel: 01305 224725
Email: f.e.king@dorsetcc.gov.uk

Communications Unit, County Hall, Dorchester DT1 1XJ. Tel 01305 224491
www.dorsetforyou.com/news

Ask Dorset 2015 – Dorset County Council Consultation

Ask Dorset, the Dorset County Council community engagement programme, has now launched for 2015. They will be attending some major events across Dorset, including carnivals and the County Show, to ask the views of residents and want to hear from you.

Last year almost 12,000 people responded to Ask Dorset, there are a number of other ways to have your say:

Online: www.mycommunity.net/project/askdorset

Paper: copies of the survey will be available throughout the library network from July 1st and in the July edition of Your Dorset.

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Stourpaine Gardening Club – 2015 Activities

Gardening Club
Gardening Club

Membership Fees

Annual subscriptions are due and will be £7.50 per person. We have had to increase the membership fee because we are having to use Durweston Village Hall for most of our meetings whilst the new village hall is being built. Could you please give your membership fees and for existing members, your membership cards for updating, to Pete and Jan Palmer at 22 Shaston Road either directly or through another committee member?

Stourpaine Gardening Club – Calendar of Events for 2015
(updated July 2015)

As from September, unless otherwise stated, all events will be held at the new Stourpaine Village Hall starting at 7.30 p.m.

 Details of the events are as follows:

  • Friday 14th August – Cheese and Wine with a quiz and fun with straw at Durweston Hall. Members free, non-members £10, tickets from Jan Palmer
  • Saturday, 12th September– Annual Show starting at 2 p.m. with the potato weigh in.  Chris Lewis and Jan will be this year’s contacts (see posters when they are up for timing)
  • Friday 9th October– a demonstration of trug making given by Carl Sadler
  • Friday 23rd October – a twilight visit to Abbotsbury Gardens – see below for details
  • Friday 13th November– a demonstration of winter hanging baskets and primrose balls given by The Gold Club
  • Friday, 11th December– Christmas social evening, including music by David Andrews

The Annual Stourpaine Show will be held on Saturday 12th September.  Entry schedules will be available Monday 10th August from White Horse stores, Jan Palmer or Chris Lewis at Wyoming, Havelins (left hand bungalow down the gravel track opposite Jean Chandler’s house).

There are lots more classes this year, so read the form carefully so as not to be disappointed.  This year entries will be invited from members, residents of Stourpaine and their families.  Bring your grandchildren to have some fun with Peter Jones, retired Clayesmore teacher.  Between 1.30 – 2.30pm, Peter will help them make “A Vegetable Sculpture” – all material will be supplied.

All adult entries will be 25p per exhibit and forms and fees must be submitted by 7 p.m., 9th September.  External judges are brought in for all classes except the children’s sculpture which will be judged by two committee members.

Also, we are planning a twilight visit to Abbotsbury Illuminated Gardens in October. Tickets will cost £9.20 if paid for in advance.  Anyone wanting further information on this event or to be added to the list please contact Jan (01258 453 470).  Payment must be made before 1st October.  We will be making our own way there as these tickets allow entry during the day as well.  Some of us will be making a day of it.  Anyone who would like to go and doesn’t have transport can speak to any committee member and we will do our utmost to get you a lift.