However, members of the public can be excluded if a confidential matter concerning a customer or staff member arises.

Agendas and minutes of district council meetings going back 3 years are available on this website. If you would like to see older agendas and minutes or those for non-current committees, please contact the Democratic Services Team on (01305) 252216 or by e-mail to democratic@westdorset-dc.gov.uk

• Full Council

  The main function of the council meeting is to approve the key plans and strategies of the Council that make up the 'policy framework'.

• Executive Committee

  The committee is responsible for most day to day decisions made by the council. It oversees the formulation of new policies and strategies and considers reports and recommendations from the Efficiency Scrutiny Committee and Policy Scrutiny Committee.

• Shared Services Joint Advisory Committee

  The joint advisory committee has been established under the Collaboration Agreement adopted by West Dorset District Council and Weymouth and Portland Borough Council. The committee is responsible for advising both councils on the delivery of the specified functions with a view to their more economical, efficient and effective discharge.

• Audit and Governance Committee

  The Audit and Governance Committee has the role of raising the profile of internal control, risk management and financial reporting issues as well as consideration of issues raised by internal and external auditors and corporate governance.

• Development Control (Planning) Committee

  The Development Control Committee is responsible for determining planning applications and considering other related planning matters including enforcement action, modifications to existing planning permissions and rights of way. It meets every four weeks and is made up of 12 councillors.

• Licensing and Appeals Committee

  (including Licensing Sub-committee)

• Standards Committee

  (including Parish Council Sub-committee and Assessment Sub-committee)

• Efficiency Scrutiny Committee

  The Efficiency Scrutiny Committee is responsible for undertaking cross-cutting scrutiny reviews incorporating the value for money regime and uses informal working arrangements.

• Policy Scrutiny Committee

• Overview and Scrutiny Annual Reports

• Ad-hoc Call In Committee

  The committee meets as it is required to consider the call in of Executive Committee decisions in accordance with the council's call in procedure set out in the Constitution.

• Dorchester Markets Joint Committee

  The joint markets committee deals with the day-to-day control and management of markets across the district.

• Gryphon Leisure Centre Management Committee

  The management committee is responsible for the administration of the leisure centre, including use of the facilities and fixing of charges.

• Thomas Hardye Leisure Centre Management Committee

  The management committee is responsible for the administration of the leisure centre, including use of the facilities and setting charges.

• Chief Executive and Director Appointment Committee

• West Dorset Heritage Joint Advisory Committee

• West Dorset Partnership

  The West Dorset Partnership is a group of local public, private and voluntary sector organisations working together to improve the quality of life in the district.