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.
Thursday 22 October 2026 | George Albert Hotel, near Dorchester
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 Together 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.

VARIOUS DATES throughout August | Online
Dorset Council, facilitated by DAPTC, are holding a series of listening events on Zoom to help inform the parking review.
The events are open to local councils and representatives from Business Improvement Districts, Chambers of Commerce and transport action groups. While there might not be car parks within your council's boundaries, remember that residents in your community will most like use car parks nearby.
Background reading can be found by using the register link below.
VIEW ALL DATES and REGISTER NOW

IN-PERSON: Tuesday 8 September | 10am - 12:30pm | Corn Exchange, Dorchester
REGISTER NOW via the Eventbrite website
VIRTUAL: Tuesday 8 September | 2:30 - 4:30pm | Online via Teams
Meeting link TBC
Dorset Council's next forum for Town and Parish Councils will provide an update on the Dorset Local Plan, new National Scheme of Delegation and general Development Management updates, the Future Homes Standard and the Building Safety Levy.
The in-person forum provides the opportunity for informal discussion, networking and a chance to share ideas and meet the Dorset Council teams.
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.
Lisa Cotton (Corporate Director Customer & Cultural Services) and Kate Turner (Library Strategy Manager) provided an update on the progress with the library strategy across the Dorset Council area.
Antony Littlechild (Sustainability Team Manager) and Carl Warom (Climate & Ecology Policy Officer) provide an overview of the Dorset Council's progress on climate initiatives and share a hots of resources available to parish and town councils across Dorset.
Heather Kiel (Programme Manager Low Carbon Dorset), Matt Peukert (Technical Officer Low Carbon Dorset), Cllr Alf Bush (Lytchett Matravers Parish Council) and Steve Newman (Town Clerk Dorchester Town Council) provided content laden session which ended with two local councils showcasing the projects they have delivered.
Christopher Whitehouse from the Transport Planning Team at Dorset Council provided an update on the electric vehicle charging infrastructure across Dorset followed by a Q&A
Digital Dorset | Digital Inclusion Update - an update on what Digital Dorset are doing to support enhancing skills for life and skills and the workplace and businesses.
Tony Burden, Dorset Council's Road Saftey Manager talked attendees through the new 20 mph policy and how parish and town councils could look to progress requests for zones with lower speed limits.

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
