All 33 Councillors meet as full council once a month. Full council is responsible for approving the council's overall policies, and setting the budget and Council Tax. The council also appoints the Leader, the Chairman of the council and the committees at its Annual Council in mid May each year.

The Cabinet consists of the Leader and four other portfolio-holders; Access and Affordable Housing, Community, Environment, and Economy. It is responsible for day-to-day decision-making in line with the council's policies and budgets - Agendas and Minutes

The Accounts and Audit Committee considers audit reports and approves various financial statements/reports including the Annual Governance Statement, the Statement of Accounts and the Annual Audit and Inspection Letter.

The Development Control Committee is responsible for the determination of planning applications. It also considers related issues such as the implementation of tree preservation orders.

The Licensing and Orders Committee determines the licensing of premises such as pubs and clubs, and of taxis.

Agendas and Minutes for the Overview and Scrutiny Meetings at North Dorset District Council.

The Personnel Policy Committee is responsible for the determination of personnel policies and procedures and of local terms and conditions of employment for the council's personnel.

Agendas and Minutes for the Planning Policy Panel Meetings at North Dorset District Council.

Agendas and Minutes for the Policy Review Committee Meetings at North Dorset District Council.

The Political Management Panel is responsible for conducting regular reviews of the Council's Constitution and for making recommendations to Full Council on amendments to it.

Agendas and Minutes for the Service Review Committee Meetings at North Dorset District Council.

The Standards Committee oversees the conduct of all district and parish councillors in the North Dorset area. It Investigates and determines any complaints that councillors have breached the Code of Conduct for Members. It is the only decision-making body that has non-council representatives on it, one of whom is the Chairman, to ensure that the decisions it makes are objective.

The Forward Plan details all the 'key' (ie big) decisions the Council is planning to make in the next four months. It also outlines what plans the Council has to consult the public and stakeholders on such decisions and how anyone wishing to comment on those decisions can do so.