View this email in your browser
** Latest updates from Dorset Council
------------------------------------------------------------
A person place their vote into a ballot box
** Your vote matters
------------------------------------------------------------
With the general election taking place across the country next week, 4 July, you are encouraged to take part in the democratic process and make your voice heard.
All eligible voters will have received their polling cards or voter pack for postal votes by now, and however you decide to vote, make sure you have your say.
The polling stations are open from 7am till 10pm on election day, and voters are reminded they must use the polling station named on their polling card.
If you’re heading to a polling station, please don’t forget to bring a valid photo ID.
If you’re voting by post, the easiest way is to use a Royal Mail post box well ahead of election day to make sure it gets there in time.
If you decide to hand it in at a polling station, you will have to fill in a form.
Find out more
Different images of Dorset towns
** Time is running out! Latest round of business grant funding awards set to close
------------------------------------------------------------
Businesses have until Sunday 30 June to apply to the latest round of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and UK Rural England Prosperity Fund, providing up to £20,000 of grant funding following a simple online application.
Businesses whether in town or rural locations, can apply for grants such as:
* Innovation support; purchase of new equipment; software/tech development; adaptations; automation and robotics.
* Support with Intellectual Property (IP); patents; trademarks; designs; copyrights;
* Capital funding for new machinery for new products and services.
* Grants to increase productivity, facilitate growth and exports.
* Research and development.
Find out more
Natasha enjoying some gardening
** Shared Lives Week - Support for Natasha
------------------------------------------------------------
Specialist Day Service provider Muntsy's and Shared Lives carers Steve and Kelly are providing support for Natasha to enable her to thrive and become more independent.
Natasha, who has identified care and support needs, has been with her carers Steve and Kelly since she was 9 years old, first through Fostering and then through Shared Lives.
She loves being with her carers: "We go on holiday for weekends away about five times a year and they have a house in Spain which is very hot. They are lovely people and take us out to different places. They also provide respite care for other young people of my age and older - sometimes for a weekend or week.
Find out more
New Road, Bourton
** New 30mph limits introduced in Bourton, Dorset
------------------------------------------------------------
Speed limits have been reduced to 30mph on several roads in the village of Bourton in northern Dorset.
Introduction of the new limits on 21 June 2024 aims to enhance safety and improve road conditions for all.
The decision is a response to a request from Bourton Parish Council for the speed limits to be reduced. We worked closely with the parish council, residents and Dorset Police prior to the changes.
30mph now applies to the following roads:
New Road; High Street; Tan Lane; Olde Fairfield; Silton Road; Mill Lane; Brickyard Lane; West Bourton Road; Old Pound Court; Church Track; Woolcott Lane; and Chaffeymoor Hill.
Read more
New Library hours poster - text says New library opening hours from 1 July 2024
** Changes to Dorset's libraries from Monday 1 July
------------------------------------------------------------
When we developed the our library strategy, we asked our communities when they wanted our libraries to be open. Based on feedback and identified community needs, we’ve updated our library opening hours. These new hours were adopted and published in July 2023 and will come into effect from Monday 1 July 2024. Our activities and events timetable will also be updated to align with these new hours.
While some libraries may see a bigger change than others, overall we have been able to keep almost the same number of weekly staffed hours across our library network, 630 instead of 631. Although there are changes to opening hours in many of our libraries, they are more consistent across the network, making it easier for customers to know when their local libraries are available. There will be no reduction in the service provided and all previous services, information and support will continue to be available.
Find out more
A family looking into the woods holding hands
** ‘Safeguarding Families Together’ is benefitting families across Dorset Council
------------------------------------------------------------
Families are benefitting from the Safeguarding Families Together (SFT) program which seeks to reduce the number of children in need of child protection or going into care, a formative evaluation conducted by the University of Bedfordshire has recently found.
The SFT program which piloted in November 2022 and runs in the localities of Chesil, Dorchester and West, uses multi-disciplinary teams that have both specialist adult practitioners and Children’s Services social workers to provide a whole family working approach.
SFT aims to improve the health and wellbeing of parents and carers within Dorset by addressing three key factors: Mental Health, Substance misuse and Domestic Abuse.
Read more
Are you feeling the strain of increasing debt during the continued cost of living challenge? Please don’t struggle alone.
Dorset Citizens Advice can talk you through the options for managing debt and help you get things under control. All advice is free, impartial and confidential.
Check out the Citizens Advice website to find your local office or call the Dorset Adviceline on 0800 144 8848.
Citizens Advice website
You are receiving this message because you subscribed to this e-newsletter topic.
Sign up for other emails from Dorset Council
unsubscribe