A MAJOR consultation project to find out what issues really matter to Dorset residents has ‘got off to a great start’, the county council has claimed.
The Ask Dorset campaign being run by Dorset County Council is the biggest exercise of its kind the authority has ever carried out.
Councillors and officers are attending more than 30 roadshows around the county to get feedback from the public to help shape future priorities.
The move comes as the council faces up to having to find £43million in savings from its budget in the coming three years and recognises the need to look at different ways of doing things.
Sam Fox-Adams, senior policy and performance manager at the council, who is leading the project, said: “The Ask Dorset campaign has got off to a great start.
“So far 450 Dorset residents have told us their top priorities for the county council to deliver at the first three roadshows, which have taken place in Swanage, Dorchester and Weymouth.
“The top issues currently being raised are rural buses and transport; helping older people to live at home for as long as possible and Dorset’s exceptional environment and keeping roads in good order.”
With further roadshows coming up over the next seven weeks, Mr Fox-Adams said the council was ‘really pleased that the public are responding so positively’ and he hoped to see many more residents at future events.
Anyone that is unable to attend any of the roadshows can fill in a survey online at dorsetforyou.com/have-your-say Mr Fox-Adams said: “We will be using the survey results to inform how the council designs and delivers its services in the future.”
Everyone who completes the survey or attends the interactive roadshow will also be entered into a prize draw to win an iPad.
FUTURE ROADSHOWS
Dorchester:
Wednesday, June 25 – 4.30pm to 7pm at Tesco supermarket.
Wednesday, June 18 – 2pm to 4pm in Underhill area (to be confirmed) Wednesday, June 18 – 4.30pm to 7pm at Tesco supermarket.
Weymouth:
Friday, July 4 – 4.30pm to 7pm at Asda supermarket.
Beaminster:
Friday, July 11 – 9.30am to noon at The Square Friday, July 11 – 2.30pm to 4pm at the school pickup point outside St Mary’s School.
Lyme Regis:
Tuesday, June 24 – 9.30am to 12.30pm at the Town Mill.
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