The Dorset Waste Partnership (DWP) is currently writing to all households that will change to the new ‘recycle for Dorset’ service this October, enclosing a leaflet explaining what it means for them.

From Monday 1 October in Christchurch and Monday 29 October in parts of East Dorset, residents’ existing collections will be replaced by the new service, consisting of:
•   A weekly food waste collection – using a 25-lite outdoor bin and seven-litre indoor caddy
•   A fortnight recycling collection – using a 240-litre wheelie bin for paper and cardboard, tins and cans, aerosols and plastic bottles, pots, tubs and trays; their existing 55-litre box for glass; and a small, reusable bag for batteries
•   A fortnightly rubbish collection – using a 140-litre wheelie bin
•   And an optional, fortnightly garden waste collection – using either a 240-litre wheelie bin for £35 a year or a 90-litre reusable bag for £25 a year

All residents in Christchurch and the part of East Dorset including Ameysford, Ashley Heath, Colehill, Ferndown, Longham, Parley, Stapehill, St Leonards and St Ives, Three Legged Cross, Verwood, West Moors and Wimborne should receive their leaflet by the end of May.

The rest of East Dorset, together with North Dorset, will switch to the new service next spring. Purbeck, West Dorset and Weymouth and Portland will follow between late 2013 and 2015.

The new service will be suitable for most households, who will not need to do anything to receive the service.  However, if households have genuine reasons why the standard service will not be suitable for their property or specific needs, they will be able to apply for a ‘non-standard’ service.

In addition, if no one at a household would be physically able to move their containers without difficulty, they can request an ‘assisted collection’, where the collection crew will collect their waste from within their property.  Residents who currently receive an assisted collection will not need to re-apply.

Residents in this first area can apply for a non-standard service and assisted collection and register their interest in receiving the garden waste collection either online at www.dorsetforyou.com/recyclefordorset or by calling (01305) 221040.

For blocks of flats and other shared accommodation, the DWP will work with site managers to provide the most appropriate service.

Households will receive their new bins two to four weeks before their new service starts, together with an information pack and new collection calendar.

Cllr Hilary Cox, Chair of the Dorset Waste Partnership Joint Committee, said:

“We are writing to people to explain how the move to Dorset’s new collection service will affect them and give them plenty of time to contact us if their household has specific needs.

“The new service will be clean, simple-to-use and enable people to recycle more at home. However, we understand that some households will have genuine reasons why the standard service is not suitable for them and we will be flexible and work with them to meet their needs.

“We currently recycle more than half our waste in Dorset.  However, with a countywide collection service we can increase this to 65 per cent while driving down costs by £2m a year.”

The beach has been awarded the Quality Coast Award status for 2012.

Keep Britain Tidy’s prestigious award rewards beaches across England for their high standards of beach management.

The Weymouth & Portland Borough Council-managed beach secured the status after presenting and maintaining a clean, attractive beach and bathing waters.

Cllr Andy Blackwood, Brief Holder for Leisure and Tourism at Weymouth & Portland Borough Council, said: “It is fantastic that our beach has been recognised as being one of the best in the country. The beach plays a huge role in attracting visitors to Weymouth as well as being enjoyed by residents.

“It is especially great that we can showcase the award on the backdrop of the Olympic & Paralympic Games and hope it will boost tourism for years to come.”

Weymouth Central Beach will host Weymouth & Portland Live Site during this summer’s Games. The 15,000 capacity venue will be free of charge and contain two giant screens projecting all the latest Olympic action.

There will also be an interactive sporting arena next to the live site where people can try their hand at lots of different beach sports including cricket, football, volleyball, kayaking and sailing. For more information visit www.dorsetforyou.com/sailing2012

The beach has already hosted the International Kite Festival this year and will hold the Beach Motocross Championship in October.

The leaflet, called ‘A Summer to Remember!’, has been produced in response to feedback that some local people are unaware of the programme of events in the borough during the Games, many of which are free and most of which are aimed at families.

It includes information about a range of events and attractions, including:

• The Torch Relay – a chance to line the streets and cheer on the inspirational people chosen to carry the Olympic Flame through Dorset
• Weymouth & Portland Live – two giant screens showing the sailing and other Olympic action on Weymouth’s famous sandy beach
• Bayside Festival – live music, extreme sports displays, local food and more
• Maritime Mix – Dorset’s largest creative celebration, featuring over 80 events
• Weymouth Beach sports arena – try your hand at sports from rugby to kayaking
• ICCI360 Arena – live music and dance performances, 360 degree film screenings and more
• Weymouth SEA LIFE Tower – offering dramatic views over Weymouth & Portland and beyond

Weymouth & Portland Borough Council Management Committee Chairman Mike Goodman said: “This summer promises to be among the biggest and best in the history of Weymouth & Portland.

“Whether you love sport, enjoy live music or just want to soak up the Olympic atmosphere, Weymouth & Portland offers locals and visitors a once-in-a-lifetime chance to experience the London 2012 Games by the sea this summer. And many of the activities are absolutely free.”

‘A Summer to Remember!’ is available from tourist information centres and other local outlets.

For more information about the events in Dorset during the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Sailing events you can also go to www.dorsetforyou.com/sailing2012

To book accommodation in Dorset go to www.visit-dorset.com.

Henry Maurice Black, 50, of Oaktree Field Caravan Site, Salisbury, was given a two-year conditional discharge and ordered to pay £477 costs after pleading guilty to two offences at Bournemouth Magistrates Court of failing to give a consumer cancellation rights.

Mr Black had called at the home of a 92-year-old woman in Corfe Castle and offered to cut some trees, initially asking for £1,500 but later reducing this to £500. He started work immediately without giving her the required written notice of her right to cancel the contract within seven days. The court was told that the value of the work was about £50.

In mitigation, the court heard that Mr Black could neither read nor write, that he lived in a borrowed caravan, made his living offering gardening services, and that had learned his lesson from this experience.

Ivan Hancock, trading standards service manager at Dorset County Council, said:

“The current laws that help control unfair doorstep selling have strengthened consumer protection considerably and we intend to uphold them.

“For far too long vulnerable residents have found themselves out of pocket after uninvited calls from traders selling their services door-to-door often using high pressure techniques to pressurize them into agreeing to have work done.”

“Any consumer agreeing to have work done by a trader calling at their home, costing more than £35, is entitled to a seven day cooling-off period during which they can cancel the job. These rights must be confirmed in writing and include the name and address of the trader.

“That’s absolutely reasonable given the history of problems with doorstep callers.”

For advice about complying with these legal requirements, contact the Trading Standards Business Advice Line on 01305 224702.

LEP Chairman, Gordon Page, announced the launch of the website www.dorsetlep.co.uk which he urged people to use and sign up for the regular newsletter to stay in touch with developments. He said: The aims of the Dorset LEP can be summarised in four themes:

• Competitive Dorset – to unleash the potential of existing businesses and to encourage the creation of new ones
• Talented Dorset – to enhance the skills of our current and future workforce
• Connected Dorset – to improve electronic and physical connectivity, notably through high-speed broadband
• Responsive Dorset – to create the conditions for enterprise to flourish through responsive planning and a dynamic housing market.

A wide range of businesses attended from small start-ups to multi-nationals, including Sunseeker International, Humphries Kirk Solicitors, BAE Systems, Bournemouth Airport, Federation of Small Businesses and JP Morgan.

The LEP has already attracted nearly £50 million of investment for the county and substantial sums are expected in the future.  £10 million has been allocated from the Government’s Growing Places fund to boost jobs and housing, and more than £38 million to deliver super-fast broadband across Dorset by April 2015.

Vice-chair of the LEP, Anthony Woodhouse, urged companies to discard any artificial barriers saying: “To attract investment, boost jobs and create enterprise, it is vital that we think as one Dorset, speak as one Dorset and act as one Dorset. I was born and bred in this county, my family business is in Dorset and I live here.  Alongside every other member of the board I genuinely care about the future of Dorset.  The LEP has the potential to herald a new era for this county – join in and be part of it.”

If you are looking for ways to access new skills, to build a stronger CV or just to improve your learning the drop-in sessions will be taking place across Dorset. There will be a lot of information available at the sessions about other courses and what qualifications you could achieve.

The adult learning program offers a wide range of courses and has helped many people to earn qualifications that have opened doors to a better future.

These range from GCSE and A level courses through NVQ and life skills, from IT and languages to art and craft courses. Vocational courses, cookery courses and seasonal workshops are also available.

John Nash, business development officer at Dorset Adult Learning, said:

“This is a great way to meet the adult learning support team and find like minded people, as well as being a fantastic opportunity for learning and accessing training and support.

“Our adult learning courses are available to anyone and are free for many people. Our aim is to help people to develop their skills and interests, to build a better future or just to have fun learning something new and meeting like minded people.”

To attend a drop in session see the details below to find the event closest to you:

Saturday 12 May – Christchurch – Christchurch adult learning centre – 10am-12 noon

Tuesday 15 May – Wareham – Synergy housing office, prospect house – 10.30am-2.30pm

Wednesday 15 May – Weymouth – The Mulberry centre – 1pm-4pm

Thursday 16 May – Dorchester – The Corn Exchange – 11am-2.30pm

Friday 17 May – Weymouth – The Community Fire Station – 10am-12 noon

For full information or to find out more about Dorset Adult learning contact John Nash on j.nash@dorset-al.ac.uk or log on to www.dorsetforyou.com/adultlearning for a prospectus and more detailed information on the courses available.

Weymouth and Portland harbours will be open for business throughout the Olympic period but Portland Marina and the National Sailing Academy at Osprey Quay will be closed to the public.

To help marine visitors watch the Olympic and Paralympic sailing and enjoy this once in a lifetime experience, temporary spectating areas will be established on the water. Extra marine services, berths, moorings and anchorages will also be provided to accommodate visitors who are expected to arrive by sea.

Steps have been taken to protect the competition course areas (also known as the Field of Play) to ensure safe, secure and enjoyable Games for general marine users and Olympic competitors alike. As a result, there will be some on-water restrictions that will affect a wide range of marine users including visiting boat owners, and other marine recreational users. (E.g. kite-surfers, wind surfers, kayakers, divers, fishermen).

It is essential therefore that anyone planning to visit or stay in Weymouth or Portland Harbours arriving by boat during the Olympics should prepare their journey and book in advance with the appropriate Harbour Authority. Failure to do so may result in delay in allowing access or could result in skippers being asked to leave the area.

Rob Andrews, LOCOG Venue General Manager says ‘We have worked hard to provide ways for people to use the water during the Games but to make this possible, it is important everyone knows the temporary limits we will have to enforce during Games time. This summer, if you’re doing anything from sailing to kayaking, windsurfing to swimming, read our Frequently Asked Questions to find out about where you can and cannot go.’

Rod Carr, LOCOG Field of Play Manager says, ‘a secure field of play is essential for fair competition and the enjoyment of spectators. We are relying on people who use Weymouth Bay and Portland Harbour to comply with the temporary restrictions that will be in place and help make the Olympic and Paralympic Sailing events in Weymouth and Portland a memorable success.

For more information please visit the following websites:

www.dorsetforyou.com/sailing2012

http://harbour.weymouth.gov.uk/london2012

http://www.portland-port.co.uk/leisure

The new toilets are located at South Street car park and are the latest in a series of improvements within the town linked to Bridport Town Council’s Town Hall redevelopment project.

The new facilities will compensate for the loss of Town Council toilets from the ground floor of the Town Hall and the planned closure of public toilets in East Street Car Park.

West Dorset District Council Leader Robert Gould said: “We have been working closely with Bridport Town Council, which has undertaken the works. I’m very pleased this project has now been completed as the new toilets at South Street will offer a much better service for residents and visitors to the town.”

Councillor Martin Ray, Leader of Bridport Town Council said: “Bridport Town Council is very pleased that the new public toilets are now open in South Street Car Park. It was always the intention that these new town centre facilities would be provided by West Dorset District Council, as part of the Town Hall project. The two councils have worked well in partnership on this project, with the Town Surveyor managing the project delivery on behalf of the district council.”

The new facilities mean the district council will continue to pay for the operation of two toilets in Bridport.

Weymouth & Portland Borough Council and the Weymouth & Portland Partnership have agreed to allocate almost £1,800, through a small grant scheme, to nine groups planning community celebrations around the borough.

Community groups and local organisations were invited to apply for funding in February and have now received confirmation of the amounts being awarded. Each of the groups is being awarded between £180 and £200.

Local groups have been busy planning a range of events and activities to greet the Olympic Flame and celebrate the occasion with their communities.

On Portland the parents group ‘iPlay’ are planning a ‘Mini Olympics’ event for families, involving sports, games and refreshments. This free community event will be held in the YOI Governors Gardens on Grove Road.

Churches Together on Portland are also planning to provide refreshments and hot food for those gathering to watch the Torch Relay as it passes through Southwell, Easton and Fortuneswell.

The Friends of Greenhill Gardens are planning to decorate the gardens with flags, balloons and bunting while St John’s Church, with the Waterside Community Forum, will be providing refreshments and hospitality.

Weymouth College and Weymouth Bay Methodist Church will be running a celebration event, with street bands and dancing, on the grass areas next to the Lodmoor Car Park. The area will be decorated with bunting and flags and refreshments will be available.

Westham Community Group will be working with Synergy Housing and Dorset County Council to organise transport and seating for residents from local sheltered housing wanting to watch the Torch Relay.

Deputy head of the Weymouth & Portland 2012 Operations team, Gary Fooks said:

“The arrival of the Olympic Flame in Weymouth and Portland will give local people an opportunity to really feel part of the Olympic Games and to come together to share and celebrate what is truly a unique and special occasion. It is fantastic to see so many local people organising events for the Torch Relay and showing their support for the inspirational Torchbearers who will be carrying the Flame through their communities.”

Chair of the Weymouth & Portland Partnership, Anne-Marie Vincent added:

“We are very happy to support these events, which will encourage communities to come out and celebrate this unique experience together. We hope the grants being awarded will help to really make the Olympic Torch Relay an event to remember for the borough.”

The Olympic Flame will arrive in the borough of Weymouth and Portland on Thursday 12 July. It will be carried by Torchbearers through Chickerell and Wyke Regis before being taken to the Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy, where it will be carried onto a boat and transported to Weymouth Beach in time for the evening celebration event. On Friday 13 July the Flame will leave from Portland Bill, passing through Southwell, Weston, Easton, Portland, Fortuneswell, Weymouth, Preston and Osmington in West Dorset before continuing east towards Poole and Bournemouth.

For detailed street level information about where you will be able to see the Olympic Flame as it passes through your area, and more information about planned community events, please visit www.dorsetforyou.com/sailing2012

Further information:

A total of £1,765.54 is being awarded to nine community groups in Weymouth and Portland. The amounts being awarded range between £180 and £200.

Event organisers are being given guidance on event management by the borough council. Anyone planning an event to mark the Olympic Torch Relay is asked to inform the council of their plans first. Please email Louise Stewart at l.stewart@westdorset-weymouth.gov.uk

A map of the Olympic Torch Relay route through Weymouth and Portland, with approximate timings, is attached. Please use the link below.

For more information please contact Weymouth & Portland Borough Council’s Communications Team on 01305 252293.

Bere Regis First School is one of five first and primary schools across the county to have school crossing patrols sponsored by the local community. Schools and crossing patrol staff met the sponsors for the first time at Wool CE VA First School today (3 May) to celebrate the new arrangement.

Swanage Town Council had been sponsoring a patrol since 2006 and is continuing under the new arrangements. Shaftesbury Town Council, Valley Taxis and Zog Brownfields Ventures Ltd sponsor crossings at Shaftesbury Primary School and Corfe Castle and Wool First Schools.

The five sponsored sites lost their council funding when Dorset County Council agreed to adopt national criteria for funding school crossing patrols and stop funding patrols at zebra and puffin crossings.

Sponsors pay the patrols’ salaries, usually £2,000-£3,000 a year, with the council picking up the management costs.

Egdon Heath councillor Alex Brenton helped recruit the Purbeck sponsors. She said:

“If you want communities involved, you have to make it easy for them. We have found that by Dorset County Council maintaining responsibility for the patrols’ management and any future redundancy costs, sponsors are coming forward.”

Andrews Plant is one of the aggregate companies sponsoring Bere Regis First School. Peter Andrews said:

“We use the road by the school all the time so it’s only right that we should make the kids’ safety top priority.”

Lee Thompson of Raymond Brown said: “It’s a community issue that we are delighted to support. We will always welcome the opportunity to promote health and safety in and outside the workplace.”

Barbara Battrick has been helping children at Wool First School cross the road safely for 21 years. Pupils there were delighted that she was going to stay.

Wool First School chairman of the governors Andrew Wilson said:

“This sponsorship arrangement gives a strong message that communities can and should help themselves. Overcoming the prejudice against commercial sponsorship is the way forward.”

County council cabinet member for highways Peter Finney said:

“The financial situation has meant we have had to make difficult decisions. Reducing the number of school crossing patrols has been one of the most painful. I am absolutely delighted that these communities have worked together to keep their crossing patrols. I hope we can encourage other sponsors to come forward.”

The council still fully funds 51 crossing patrols across the county, which meet national criteria. Vacancies are currently available in Dorchester, Charminster and Verwood. For more information, ring Rob Camp on 01305 224548.