The Arts Development Company will launch in 2024 a project to identify towns and villages of culture across Dorset. The idea is based on the well established cities of culture and it presents a fantastic opportunity for towns and villages to step-chnage their promotion and delivery of culture.
Events: online and in-person
As part of its training offer, DAPTC holds online and in-person events in the form of webinars, meetings and conferences.
Webinars, under the banner of Working Togther Webinars (WTW) tend to be free events with no limit on who can attend. DAPTC holds WTW with Dorset Council and other relevant parties to brief parish and town councils about key changes, projects and initiatives that will affect lives in Dorset. They may simply provide information or include an ask for action - it all depends on the topic. The WTW with Dorset Council often provide an opportunity to engage with Dorset Council officers, elected members and other specialist experts.
To find out more about the purpose of Working Together Webinars, WATCH THIS 1 MINUTE VIDEO on Vimeo.
Conferences are in-person events which tend to be orientated around councillors or clerks and employees although at times, depending on the subject matter, they may be for everyone. These events attract a fee - just like training courses - to cover costs and refreshments as conferences run from morning through to mid-afternoon.
What if I can't attend an event?
DAPTC will publish any resources from events as soon as possible, in an article similar to those below. Webinars are recorded when possible and uploaded like resources for those that can't make it on the day.
WTW: Age Friendly Dorset - NEW DATE!

Thursday 25 June | 4pm | Online via Zoom
Age Friendly Dorset is a multi-agency initiative coordinated by Dorset Council, aiming to develop age-friendly communities that make Dorset a place where growing older means living better, and where every generation enjoys a good life.
This session, delivered by Cllr Matt Bell (Dorset Council Adult Social Care portfolio member) and Sarah Parsons (Ageing Well Programme Lead) will introduce the initiative and its eight areas of focus: outdoor spaces and buildings; transportation; housing; social participation; respect and social inclusion; civic participation and employment; communication and information; and community support and health services.
A presentation will be followed by a Q&A, and a discussion exploring how parish and town councils already contribute to support for older people, and what more we could be doing.
USE THIS LINK to find out more about Age Friendly Dorset on the Dorset Council website.
USE THIS LINK TO REGISTER NOW
Clerks’ Café

Thursday 2 July | 11am - 12 noon | Online via Zoom
Online events aimed at clerks of smaller parish councils and parish meetings in Dorset, providing topical updates and opportunities for networking.
These 1-hour DAPTC hosted Zoom events will be split into 2 - 3 segments including the latest news and updates, presentations, and discussion/networking. Subject matters will be relevant to all local councils in Dorset but the focus will be particularly for smaller parish councils and parish meetings.
These events are for information only and are not part of any wider area-based governance.
VIEW ALL DATES and REGISTER NOW
Parish Networking Event

Wednesday 15 July | 7pm - 8:30pm | Leigh VIllage Hall
In-person events aimed at smaller parish councils in Dorset, providing topical updates and opportunities for networking at venues around the county.
These 90-minute DAPTC hosted events are suitable for clerks, officers, employees and councillors. Generally, the format will be 45 minutes of presentations followed by 45 minutes of discussion and networking. Subject matters will be relevant to all local councils in Dorset but the focus will be particularly for smaller parish councils.
These events are for information only and are not part of any wider area-based governance.
VIEW ALL DATES and REGISTER NOW
Resources and recordings (where applicable) from previous events can be accessed through the articles below
Analogue lines will be switched over in the next 18 months approximately in Dorset. Each telecoms service provider is tasked with supporting their customers through this change and in the process helping support vulnerable customers where the impact may be greater.
John Fagan (CEO Scribe Accounts), Nathan Foster and India Greenwood were all on hand to show clerks and RFOs about Scribe Lite - a finance software package ideally suited to small parish councils. To find out more click READ MORE
Eimear Coyle from Litter Free Dorset provided an update on a number of initiatives. The webinar was recorded and copie sof the slides and other resources are below.
The Dorset AONB Team presented an overview of the Community Trees Project and the role of Tree Wardens. Ian Rees and Jill Hearing took attendees through a short presentation followed by Q&As.
Clare Jennings from The Local Resilience Forum was joined by Alun Cooper (Langton Herring and Rodden Emergency Plan) and Linda Kettley (Firewise UK) to provide an update on plans for winter across Dorset. Alun and Linda shared some practical tips about emergency planning, specifically for sever weather events.
Ian Wells gave an insightful update on the current grants available and undertook a Q&A with those attending. You can watch the recording of the presentation below and access the slides presentation pack given by Ian.
Digital Dorset
Please extend our thanks for the engagement of those who attended and I look forward to continuing these conversations in the future as we seek to improve digital connectivity across the county.
Subcategories

Contact
Telephone: 01305 224460
Member Advice: advice@dorset-aptc.gov.uk
Member Training: training@dorset-aptc.gov.uk
General Enquiries: info@dorset-aptc.gov.uk
