Thanks to funding from Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership and Dorset Council we can announce that full Fibre To The Premises (FTTP) broadband is coming to key sites in your ward.

Eastbrook Farm, Whitepit Farm, Holloway Farm, Shillingstone Primary School, North Dorset Trailway, Portman Hall and Shillingstone Church Centre are among 60 community hubs and schools in North Dorset to benefit from this project, which will see FTTP installed completely free of charge.

This future-proof and gigabit capable infrastructure will, when installed, enable the organisations to take out a much faster internet service.

We have awarded the contract to Blandford-based Wessex Internet to carry out this work and we will contact you again when a work programme has been agreed.

Here is a link to a press release about the project, which Dorset LEP is issuing to the media Community buildings to receive gigabit broadband thanks to investment from Dorset LEP and Dorset Council - Dorset Council news

Pursuant to Section 87(2) of the Local Government Act 1972, that Peter Aaron, formerly a Member of the above named Parish Council, has ceased to be a Member of the Parish Council, and that a vacancy now exists in the office of Councillor for the Parish.
If within 14 days after the date of this notice (i.e. no later than 16 April 2021), a request for an election to fill the vacancy is made to the Returning Officer, South Walks House, South Walks Road, Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 1UZ by TEN electors for the Parish, an election will be held to fill the vacancy, otherwise the vacancy will be filled by co-option.
If an election is called, it will take place not later than 22 June 2021.
Dated 25 March 2021
David Green
Clerk to Shillingstone Parish Council

Reaching Out - briefing note on a new communications campaign

Background:

The Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has had a major impact on the economy globally, nationally and in Dorset. Relative to the UK, Dorset has a higher share of employment, output and businesses across the hardest hit sectors such as tourism and leisure.

The high proportion of take up of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (the furlough scheme) and the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme across Dorset highlights the overall employment exposure of the area.

Almost 50,000 people in the Dorset Council area have been furloughed, of which it is estimated some 75% are aged 25 years or younger. Of these it has been estimated that 40% (15,000) may not be able to return to their former employment due
to redundancies and business closures.

This is also likely to have an impact on mental health and relationships, which will be a theme that runs throughout the campaign and we will signpost to the help available

Campaign objectives:

Dorset Council is launching a joint campaign with Citizens Advice this September

The aim is to raise awareness of the range of support available to people financially affected by COVID-19 so they can seek advice and support before they reach crisis point. Hopefully this will result in fewer people becoming homeless, becoming ill, or hurting others.

The key themes:

The campaign will run initially until the end of March 2021, and will be structured around three themes:

Work and skills- employment rights, careers advice, access to training
Money and home- rent or mortgage advice, managing debt, accessing benefits, finding somewhere to live, foodbanks, other financial help
Health and relationships- health & wellbeing advice including signposting to mental health and domestic abuse support

Who do we want to reach?
For many people in Dorset, this will be the first time they have experienced such financial difficulties. We want to reach anyone who is worried about, or is facing redundancy; especially young people aged 16-
25 (who are most at risk of unemployment or reduced hours); anyone struggling with finances such as paying their rent or mortgage or other bills such as car or household, education or childcare costs.

Key messages:

· A problem shared is a problem halved – help, support and advice is available whatever challenges COVID-19 has thrown at you

· Lots of people are in the same boat - you're not alone and shouldn't be afraid to ask for help or advice, before things get more difficult

· Help is available online atwww.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/reaching-out

· If you would like to talk call 03444 111 444, calls charged at a local rate
Specialist advisers can help with immediate problems and offer advice for the longer term

· All advice is free, confidential and impartial

How are we getting the message out?

The campaign will run across a number of channels including:
Dorsetcouncil.gov.uk
Targeted digital advertising, including pop ups and banners
Social media - organic and paid for
E-newsletters
Media relations
Dorset Council News magazine
Via Dorset Councillors, town and parish councils and partner organisations
Posters at customer contact points e.g. libraries, schools, GP surgeries and pharmacies
Customer facing council employees

We'll be featuring a series of 'experts' from partner organisations such as Citizens Advice and Job Centre Plus, as well as case studies of real people so that others can recognise and identify with situations and circumstances, prompting them to get help sooner rather than later

Our key spokespeople
Cllr Laura Miller, Dorset Council's Portfolio Holder for Adult Social Care and Health
Cllr Graham Carr-Jones, Dorset Council's Portfolio Holder for Housing
Daniel Cadisch, Lead representative for Citizens Advice

Other people of expertise related to each topic will also be available

How can you help?

Share this campaign with friends, family and your local community. As a trusted voice, you can get the word out that help and support is available for people at this time. Watch out for our social media posts, news releases, e-newsletters and other activities.

A campaign toolkit is also available on our website atwww.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/reaching-out

Need more information?

To find out more information, visitwww.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/reaching-out, or contact Claire Lodge, Senior Communications Officer by emailing claire.lodge@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk

Due to Covid-19 regulations Shillingstone Parish Council meetings will now be held by means of Zoom conferencing arrangements until further notice. If you require access to a meeting please contact the Parish Clerk.

Are you self-isolating, over 70 or have underlying health conditions? Your village is here to help. If you need help with shopping or collecting medication please contact Vicky Thomas on 860409 or Clare Downes on 07748616496 or Sarah Weedon on 861142 If you need help with getting online, communicating via Facebook/Skype etc. or dog walking please contact Caroline Salt on 860259. If you want pastoral support please contact Rev'd Lydia on 01258 863774. Please also let Lydia know if you too can offer help. Even if you don't need this service now please keep this leaflet safe should you require it in the future. We're here to help!

Business case information – proposal to seek Public Works Loan to enable the resurfacing of the Hine Town Lane Recreation ground Play area

It is clear that re-mulching the existing ‘cushion-fall’ material with like-for-like is rather futile in terms of providing a long-term solution to the problem of degradation of the existing surface.; the last replacement of cushion-fall has only lasted some 18 months. We could replace the surface with a wood chip material which might be more durable but which will cost some £2,000 more. A contractor has suggested that we might like to consider more durable options such as ‘Tiger mulch’, a mixture of recycled shredded rubber and a specially formulated high- performance polyurethane binder.;’ and has a lifespan of 10-15 years. A number of suppliers provide Tiger Mulch and quotes have been sought from 3 contractors (see below)

The Council could seek Public Works Loan to finance the cost of a complete overhaul – circa £25k over some 10 years. These are loans available to local authorities which are secured on the basis of council tax receipts and which would probably be viable – repayments on a twice-yearly fixed interest basis of say £25k over 10 years would amount to circa £2,700p.a. at 1.90% (interest rates are actually not agreed until the date the loan is granted). The cost of this would be basically covered by the £2500 per year transfer to the Rec reserve account, though we would probably need to allocate an additional £1000 to the reserve account each year to allow for contingencies.

The Chairman & I recently inspected an installation at Colehill, Wimborne. We were greatly impressed by the resilience of this surface with is very well used.

Quotes Received:

Supplier - quotes Ex VAT - Notes

A - £ 24,835.00 - Does not include removal of exisiting loosefill

B - £ 24,758.00 - To include removal & installation

C - £ 20,865.00 - Does not include removal of existing loosefill

David Green

Parish Clerk

7th June 2019