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Dorset Strategic Partnership (DSP)

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Established by the Local Government Act 2000, Local Strategic Partnerships (LSPs) are single over-arching strategic partnerships (umbrella bodies) for an area that bring together the public, private, business, voluntary and community sectors so that different services and initiatives support each other and work together for the benefit of local people.

Dorset's LSP, called 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 a 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 Dorset Strategic Partnership Agreement in September 2007.  It ensures the Dorset Strategic 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 and the Bridging Group.

For more detailed information click on the appropriate link in the left hand side menu for each element.

Compliments and complaints

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

If you wish to make a complaint or pay us a compliment you can do this by:

  • Writing to The Secretary, Dorset Strategic Partnership, c/o Chief Executive's Office, County Hall, Colliton Park, Dorchester, DT1 1XJ
  • Sending an email to p.k.neimer@dorsetcc.gov.uk
  • Telephone to Patricia Neimer County Council Complaints Officer on 01305 224409.

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 following each board and community strategy delivery group meeting.

  • Community Strategy for Dorset 2007-16

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

  • 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 Shaping our future - The Community Strategy for Dorset 2007-2016 and in community plans, as well as supporting the development of parish plans. To access Shaping our future - Summary or information on town, parish and village plans click on the appropriate link in Related Articles.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • DSP Annual Report

    Please click on the file on the right hand side of the page to access the DSP Annual Reports.

  • 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 Operating principles

    The DSP was restructured in 2007 and is now governed by the DSP partnership Agreement. However, the broad operating principles described in the DSP foundation document of 2004 continue to guide the DSP's 'way of working' on a day-to-day basis.

  • Working Together for Dorset Logo: Link to DSP StructureDSP 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.

  • DSP theme groups

    There are two cross-cutting issues and five themes in the community strategy. Sustainability is an underlying principle. The DSP Board has identified a number of theme groups to deliver against each of these. A number of theme groups have an established remit beyond that of the Dorset Strategic Partnership so delivery of Dorset's Community Strategy may only play a part of their ongoing activities.

  • 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.

  • Team SW Dorset - small: Link to Olympic Legacy: 12 for 2012Olympic Legacy: 12 for 2012

    A legacy for Dorset from the 2012 Games

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