With Dorset Council and other relevant parties, DAPTC holds Working Together Webinars to brief parish and town councils about key changes, projects and initiatives that will affect lives in Dorset. The webinars provide an opportunity to engage with Dorset Council officers and elected members and other specilaist experts. Webinars may simply provide information to keep local councils updated or ask for action - it all depends on the topic. To find out more about the purpose of Working Together webinars, WATCH THIS 1 MINUTE VIDEO on Vimeo.
Anyone from your council; councillor or employee, who is interested in the topic and will provide an update to your council at the next opportunity. As the webinars are online, there is no limit to how many can attend - the more the merrier!
DAPTC will publish any resources from webinars as soon as possible, in an article similar to those below. Where possible the webinars are recorded and also uploaded for those that can't make it on the day.
Upcoming webinar - Dorset Council Leisure Strategy
Tues 9 Sept 2025 | 4pm to 5pm | Online via Zoom
REGISTER here via Zoom for the webinar
Darren Spreadbury, Leisure and Cultural Commissioning Manager will present on the development of a new Leisure Strategy to shape the future of leisure centres and facilities. The webinar where will share updates on the strategy and findings in your area; this is your opportunity to learn more, ask questions, say what matters most to your community, and help shape the future of leisure in Dorset.
Background
The Leisure Strategy will look at:
- How well current facilities meet future leisure needs
- National and local trends in leisure and wellbeing
- Financial sustainability
- Community access and inclusion.
Dorset Council wants Dorset to be ambitious about leisure – with a long-term plan that supports health, wellbeing, and vibrant communities.
Leisure services across Dorset are delivered in different ways – through the Council, contractors, and charitable trusts. Here’s a snapshot of the facilities they're reviewing:
Purbeck
- Purbeck Sports Centre, Wareham (operated by Dorset Council).
East Dorset
- Verwood Hub (operated by Dorset Council)
- Potterne Park, Verwood (outdoor sports facilities)
- Emmanuel School Sports Hall, Verwood (community access)
- Ferndown Leisure Centre (operated by Places Leisure).
North Dorset
- Blandford Leisure Centre (operated by Everyone Active).
West Dorset
- Bridport Leisure Centre (operated by Bridport & West Dorset Sports Trust)
- Dorchester Sports Centre (operated by 1610 Ltd).
Weymouth & Portland
- Weymouth Swimming Pool and Fitness Centre (operated by Everyone Active)
- Redlands Leisure and Community Park (leased to Active Dorset).
Upcoming webinar - Dorset Cultural Strategy 2026 to 2031
Thu 11 Sept 2025 | 4pm to 5pm | Online via Zoom
REGISTER HERE via Zoom for the webinar
Culture plays a vital role in making Dorset’s towns and villages attractive places to live and visit.
Working with Dorset Council, we’re pulling together the next iteration of the Dorset Cultural Strategy which will run from 2026 to 2031. We see Dorset’s Town and Parish Councils as key stakeholders in this strategy, enabling more people to engage with cultural activity and maintaining or developing vibrant towns and villages.
As we’re developing the strategy, we’re keen to share our thinking so far, to hear from Town and Parish Councils on what they want to see in the strategy and to see what we can do collectively to realise the ambitions within the strategy.
Join The Arts Development Company to hear how the strategy will develop and how you can help provide feedback.
Further upcoming webinars will appear here - please check back regularly
Watch previous webinars and view resources and by accessing the articles below