Heritage Open Day 2024 in Dorchester

Sunday 15th September

This year's Heritage Open Day in Dorchester will provide a great opportunity to learn more about the history of the town.

The event will include free access to The Keep Military Museum from 10.00am-4.30pm, tours of St Peter's Church bell tower, a range of free guided history walks (booking essential) and tours of the on-going refurbishment works in the Corn Exchange.

For more information about events, guided walks and how to book pleas visit Discover Dorchester.

Management Committee

The next meeting of the council's Management Committee will be at 7.00pm on Monday 16th September 2024 in the Council Chamber of the Municipal Buildings (Corn Exchange). 

The agenda for the meeting can be found in the Committee page of this website.

Planning Applications for Comment 

 If you wish to make a comment on any of the applications please email the Clerk to the Committee, Georgina Wakely G.Wakely@dorchester-tc.gov.uk by 9am on Monday, 2 September 2024.

Applications P/FUL/2023/00713 & P/LBC/2023/02514 (Listed Building Consent) Former HMP Dorchester North Square Dorchester DT1 1HY

will now be considered at the Planning and Environment Committee meeting due to be held on Monday, 7 October 2024.

 

 In the meantime, the applicant is happy to respond to any questions in advance of the meeting. You can contact the applicant directly by emailing or phoning Adrian Fox MRTPI, City and Country Senior Planning Manager adrian.fox@cityandcountry.co.uk 07812 660266.

Cost of Living Help and Warm Spaces

Information regarding what cost of living help is available can be found here.

Further cost of living advice, with useful links to help access food, financial and housing advice can be found on the Dorset Council website here.

A Dorchester guide to homelessness and community support can be found here.

A list of warm spaces, where you can be assured of a warm and friendly welcome, can be found here.

Dorchester Town Council

We are the parish authority for the county town of Dorset.  There has been a history of local government in the town since Anglo Saxon times and Dorchester has been the county town since 1305.  It has elected a mayor since 1629.  The Town Council was created in 1974.

The town has a population of around 20,000, which continues to grow quickly with the expansion of Dorchester at Poundbury and Brewery Square.  The Town Council provides a range of community and recreational facilities, and promotes the town's interests with the other statutory bodies that operate in the town, notably the Dorset Council.

The Town Council has 20 members in five wards, elected for a period of 5 years.  Elections to the Town Council took place on 2 May 2024 and the results can be found here.

Mayor of Dorchester

Councillor Robin Potter will serve as Mayor for the Council year to 19 May 2025. Robin will be supported by the Mayoress, Val Potter, and Councillor Janet Hewitt as Deputy Mayor.  

Each year the Mayor of Dorchester chooses a charitiy / charities to promote and raise funds for. This year Robin has chosen Dorchester Family Support, which helps support families on low incomes - particularly with free school meal support in holidays and hampers around Christmas time. More information about the cause can be found at www.dorchesterfamilysupport.co.uk