Committees, made up of elected councillors, have regular council meetings to make decisions on local matters. Each committee has terms of reference which set out its powers and responsibilities, in other words what it can and cannot do.

Details of the district and county councillors, dates and results for local elections and petitions and information about citizenship ceremonies.

How council tax is calculated, how much council tax you are liable for and details of any council tax discounts or exemptions that may be available.

We are committed to openness and transparency and this includes making our budget information and annual accounts available to public scrutiny.

Parish and town councils and parish meetings are local authorities and have limited duties but quite wide powers, should they decide to use them. They often cover things like allotments, bus shelters, village halls, children's playgrounds, parks, seats, signs, notice boards and have a significant input to planning.

How we are working with the community to make Dorset an even better place to live, work and learn. Includes how we perform our duties, the services we provide and how you can have your say in Dorset's future.

See what services your local councils provide and how to contact them by telephone, email, post or in person.

Over 1,000 pages of statistics on Dorset including population, education, employment, health, housing and the environment - now divided into data by topic and data by area. Everything from the detailed statistics to include in a business plan to fascinating facts.

Latest news releases from partner councils. You can also view archived news releases and back issues of the community newspapers Christchurch Courier, East Dorset News, Your Dorset and Community Link.

Find out what consultation is happening amongst councils across Dorset, use research information and results from previous surveys and consultation, and find out how to take part- your views can make a difference.

Use our maps and location functionality to find a range of local information including libraries, car parks, leisure centres, roadworks and school catchment details.

How to let us know about any problems or complaints about the services we provide or the treatment you have received from us.

Local authorities all collect and publish information about how they are performing. The pages below tell you how the County Council is performing overall, and also how your local district or borough council is performing.