Public Consultation:

The Dorset Strategic Partnership has held a 12 week public consultation between 14 May 2010 and 6 August 2010, on the draft document, Shaping our Future, the sustainable community strategy for Dorset 2010-2020.

To read more about this please see this Community strategy revision - public consultation page.

Dorset's LSP, the Dorset Strategic Partnership (DSP), was formally set up in 2002. It consists of a wide range of organisations, agencies and other partnerships throughout the county.

The DSP's mission is to improve quality of life and well-being for people in Dorset in a sustainable way. This is achieved by implementing, monitoring and reviewing the Dorset Community Strategy, a long term plan for the people and communities of Dorset.

The DSP operates at a strategic level, guiding and supporting operational activity. Its objectives are:

• To improve the quality of life and well-being in Dorset in a sustainable way

• To improve services, particularly those addressing cross-cutting issues and needs

• To speak up for Dorset at sub-regional, regional, national and European level

• To ensure the delivery of the targets in the sustainable community strategy for Dorset

• To ensure the delivery of the targets within the Dorset local area agreement

• To fulfil the requirements of community planning-related government legislation, including the delivery of additional targets that may be introduced

• To provide the framework within which other partnerships operate

• To optimise funding brought into Dorset

• To improve relationships between key organisations and facilitate joint working across a range of initiatives

Local community planning partnerships respond to issues that can be tackled at a district, town or parish level.

Governance and structure

The Dorset Strategic Partnership Board approved the new Dorset Strategic Partnership Agreement in February 2010. It ensures the partnership is fit for purpose to meet the strategic challenges outlined in the revised community strategy. The three key elements are the board, the community strategy delivery group , bridging group and the theme groups.

Compliments and complaints

DSP partners are committed to learning from complaints. We are also pleased to hear about things you think we do well.

To make a complaint or pay us a compliment:

• Write to The Secretary, Dorset Strategic Partnership, c/o Chief Executive's Office, County Hall, Colliton Park, Dorchester, DT1 1XJ

• Send an email to j.french@dorsetcc.gov.uk

• Telephone Jonathan French, Corporate Policy & County Complaints Officer, on 01305 228664

The county council is the responsible body for the Dorset Strategic Partnership and we will arrange for your complaint to be dealt with according to the county council's formal complaints procedure. Complaints about services provided by a DSP partner will be directed to the partner for resolution.

The secretary will report annually to the DSP Board on any complaints and compliments received.

• Bulletins

  The Dorset Strategic Partnership (DSP) bulletin is part of the DSP's new drive to improve communications with partners. A short précis will be sent out after each board and community strategy delivery group meeting.

• Calendar of meetings

  The calendar is updated regularly and shows all the scheduled Dorset Strategic Partnership (DSP) Board, Community Strategy Delivery Group (CSDG), Theme Group, Bridging Group and District Community Planning Meetings.

• DSP Annual Conferences

  Each year the Dorset Strategic Partnership holds a conference for all of its members. Annual conferences provide an opportunity to review progress over the past year and set the direction for future years.

• Dorset Strategic Partnership Annual Report

  The latest Dorset Strategic Partnership Annual Report and those from previous years.

• DSP Board

  It is the Board's responsibility to achieve the partnership's mission, which is to improve quality of life and well-being for people in Dorset in a sustainable way by implementing, monitoring, reviewing and revising the Dorset Community Strategy.

• DSP Bridging Group

  The responsibilities of the DSP Bridging Group are set out below.

• DSP Community Strategy Delivery Group (CSDG)

• DSP Structure

  The Dorset Strategic Partnership undertook a review of its structure in 2007. The Partnership now consists of a broad partnership of a wide range of organisations and groups, a Board, a Community Strategy Delivery Group (CSDG), a Bridging Group and 10 Theme Groups.

• Dorset Strategic Partnership (DSP) theme groups

  Theme Groups support the work of the DSP, by implementing the Sustainable Community Strategy and meeting targets of the Local Area Agreement.

• DSP third sector representation

  Third sector engagement in the DSP: the 'Voice' project

• Local community planning

  In Dorset there are a number of local community planning partnerships working with communities in districts, towns and parishes to improve quality of life.

• Olympic Legacy: 12 for 2012

  A legacy for Dorset from the 2012 Games

• Community Strategy Grants

  The Dorset Strategic Partnership has funding available in its 2007-08 budget to support community planning work in Dorset. This funding, provided by Dorset County Council, includes grants to support projects that address priorities identified in the Community Strategy and in community plans, as well as supporting the development of parish plans.

• Dorset Local Area Agreement (LAA)

  Dorset was one of the first areas in the country to agree a Local Area Agreement (LAA), negotiated between central government and the Dorset Strategic Partnership. The LAA gives the County Council and its partners in Dorset a means to focus on how we deliver the priorities identified in Dorset's Community Strategy.

• Community Strategy for Dorset

  'Shaping our future' the Dorset Community Strategy 2007-2016 was launched in June 2007.