To find out who will be speaking and the opportunities to network during the day - check out the agenda and timings here.
Share a downloadable agenda for the event: Councillor Networking Event 7 March 2024 Agenda
REGISTER HERE
8:45 to 9:30 - Doors Open for Registration
Delegates are asked to register promptly on arrival and pick up a coffee or tea ahead of taking their seats in the Maurward Room to start the event at 9:45am
9:30 to 9:45 - Delegates take their seats in the Maurward Room
9:45 to 10:00 - Welcome
Welcome from DAPTC to member councils and guests
10:00 to 11:15 - Dorset Council Update
Presenting for this part of the day will be:
- Dorset Local Plan | Cllr David Walsh (Portfolio Holder for Planning)
- Dorset Transport Plan (4) | Cllr Ray Bryan (Portfolio Holder for Highways, Travel and Environment)
- Develoution Deal for Dorset | Cllr Simon Gibson (Portfolio Holder Economic Growth and Levelling Up)
- Q&A Facilitated by Cllr Laura Beddow (Portfolio Holder Culture and Communities)
11:15 to 11:45 noon - Councillor networking with Dorset Council Teams plus coffee/tea and comfort break
11:45 to 12:30 - NHS Dorset
Presenting an update from NHS Dorset will be:
- David Freeman (Chief Commissioning Officer and Deputy Chief Officer)
- Kate Calvert (Deputy Chief Commissioning Officer)
12:30 to 12:45 - Recognition & DAPTC Star Awards
Presentation of training certificates and recognition of long serving councillors standing down in May
12:45 to 13:30 - Councillor Networking and Lunch
13:30 to 14:15 - Dorset National Park
READ NATIONAL PRESS RELEASE BBC News Article
The Government has said it wants to create a new National Park. Dorset has long been recognised as an outstanding candidate. Natural England is currently carrying out an evaluation of possible candidates.
A Dorset National and Marine Park would be the first English National Park to span the off-shore as well as on-shore environment, helping to raise awareness and understanding, and working in partnership with a wide-range of stakeholders to help better coordinate relevant activities across the land, coast and sea. The UNESCO World Heritage “Jurassic” Coast would more than double the extent of under-represented coastline in English National Parks.
A Dorset National and Marine Park would bring additional resources to benefit our environment and communities. It would work in partnership with Dorset Council, local communities and others to help restore nature, plan for local housing needs - including for truly affordable homes - support local businesses, jobs and skills and improve the health and wellbeing of local people and visitors.
Ian Duckworth and Richard Brown from the National Park team will make a presentation and answer questions on the proposal.
14:15 to 15:00 - Dorset Nature Recovery
Presentation and Q&A with Amy Smith
Nature Recovery Dorset: A new countywide Local Nature Recovery Strategy is being created to help us recover nature and bring wider benefits, like improved water quality, flood protection, and greenspaces we can enjoy. Local people and organisations will work together to agree shared priorities and map where we can restore, grow, and connect nature. This presentation and interactive session will explore how Town and Parish Councils can help prepare this important new strategy and make sure it is useful in your communities.
I’m pleased to confirm that Nikki Taylor, Natural Environment Team Manager and Principal Ecologist will be joining Amy for the presentation on 7th March. Nikki will share the presentation with Amy which will include an introduction to new mandatory Biodiversity Net Gain, what this might mean for Town and Parish Councils and general advice on delivering biodiversity outcomes.
The presentation will also cover a new approach to development that aims to leave the natural environment in a measurably better state than it was beforehand, you will hear what this might mean for Town and Parish Councils and advice on actions you can take to enhance biodiversity in your area.
15:00 to 15:15 - Event Conclusion and Closing Words from DAPTC
