The latest local government news, including Swanage Town Council and Dorset Council.
Multi million pound scheme proposed for Swanage seafront Two options to stabilise the eroding cliff under Sandpit Field - Swanage’s major event space - have been drawn up by architects, and both will cost Swanage Town Council millions ... 5 days ago
Swanage seafront survey puts Shore Road traffic as top concern Views on the Swanage Seafront Masterplan - an aspirational document to guide future planning decisions - while generally positive, has revealed that the biggest concern is traffic along the seafront. 2 months ago
New vision for Swanage’s seafront floated A draft document billed as a masterplan, has been published identifying areas of the seafront in Swanage that could benefit from investment. 3 months ago
Coronation teaspoons given to Swanage children as memento All children attending Swanage primary schools have received a silver plated teaspoon from Swanage Town Council to commemorate the coronation of King Charles III. 5 months ago
A day’s parking to cost £20.60 along Swanage seafront The price of on-street parking along Shore Road in Swanage is to increase by an inflation-busting 72 percent, making it one of the most expensive places to park a car ... 6 months ago
Second home tax in Dorset delayed Dorset Council was set to charge owners of second homes double council tax from April 2024 but its plans have been thwarted by the slow progress of government legislation through ... 6 months ago
Swanage council scraps gender neutral title in documents Councillors have voted to stop using the title ‘chair’ for anyone chairing a Swanage Town Council meeting and will use ‘chairman' instead, irrespective of gender. 6 months ago
Plea to change Swanage High Street parking hours A proposal to extend the time that vehicles can park along a stretch of the High Street in Swanage is being given serious consideration by Swanage Town Council 7 months ago
Second home owners ‘unhappy’ over Dorset Council’s tax plan As Dorset Council took another step towards introducing a second home tax, councillors said they had been inundated with emails and letters from many second home owners. 7 months ago
Swanage aims to take back control over town planning Work has begun to create a neighbourhood plan for Swanage which is likely to include new policies on affordable housing, second homes and new building developments. 11 months ago
Winners of the Swanage Community Awards 2022 announced Swanage residents, who were judged to have excelled in their contribution to the town in 2022, were presented with a community award at a ceremony in Swanage. 12 months ago
New consultation on future of Swanage Library Dorset Council is undertaking a second consultation on the future for libraries in its area including Swanage, with the promise that closing them isn't part of the plan. 12 months ago
Swanage turns out to hear the royal proclamation The news of the accession of King Charles III to the throne was announced by the Swanage Town Mayor in a time-honoured tradition - WATCH VIDEO. 1 year ago
Huge queue for Swanage Town Council toilet meeting More than a hundred local residents turned out for a meeting about the toilets at Burlington Chine in Swanage, prompted by inaccurate information on social media. 1 year ago
Rollout of ‘ultrafast’ broadband in Swanage to start soon Swanage schools, Durlston Country Park and the tip in Swanage are to be among the first places in the UK to benefit from ‘next generation’ full-fibre broadband. 1 year ago
Swanage community awards launched to recognise local heroes Nominations are being invited for the Swanage Town Council Community Awards 2021/22, to reward individuals and organisations for their outstanding contribution to the community. 1 year ago
Planning granted for 90 homes on old Swanage Grammar site The former Swanage Grammar School site next to St Mary’s RC Primary School and nursery has got permission to be redeveloped, despite concerns from some parents. 1 year ago
Jobs up for grabs at Swanage Town Council With 13 vacancies, Swanage Town Council is holding a jobs fair so people can find out more about the roles based in the Dorset seaside town. 2 years ago
Swanage residents’ views sought on a pocket of open land The future of the old St Mark’s School playing field and sports court in Herston is under discussion since Swanage Town Council signed a lease to take over the land. 2 years ago
Swanage library invites views on future services The future of Swanage library - along with others in the county – is the subject of a public consultation that’s been launched by Dorset Council. 2 years ago
Swanage on-street parking charges set to go up The cost of parking in Station Road and Shore Road is to increase, along with Dorset Council owned car parks in Wareham and Corfe Castle, if the plans get the ... 2 years ago
Latest on Swanage Ambulance Car In response to concerns from Swanage residents, a special committee is to be set up by Dorset Council to scrutinise proposals about the future of the ambulance car. 2 years ago
Dorset Council appeal to find homes for Afghan refugees The need to accommodate Afghans fleeing the Taliban has prompted Dorset Council to urge private landlords and owners of second homes in Swanage and across the county to come forward. 2 years ago
No parking in new loading bays comes into effect in Swanage While the work to create new loading bays in Swanage town centre was completed in June 2020, the rules to enable fines for illegal parking have just come into effect. 2 years ago
Avril, the first Labour Mayor of Swanage! After four years, councillor Mike Bonfield has stepped down as Swanage Mayor and councillor Avril Harris has been elected to become the town’s 20th mayor. 2 years ago
Swanage voters go to the polls The polling stations will be open from 7 am for residents to choose a new Swanage Town Council councillor and the Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner. 2 years ago
Local election candidates announced The names of those standing for election in the Swanage Town Council by-election and as Dorset’s next police and crime commissioner have been confirmed. 2 years ago
Too late for Dorset barbecue ban for this summer Amid criticism of moving too slowly to implement a legal order banning the use of disposable barbecues in public spaces, Dorset Council will rely on an information campaign this year. 2 years ago
More rural building granted as Purbeck misses housing target The government has told Dorset Council that planning permission in Purbeck should be tilted in favour of allowing new housing to be built outside a village’s development boundary. 3 years ago
Action taken in Swanage against abandoned cars As part of an enforcement operation, a team from Dorset Council has targeted abandoned vehicles in towns across the county, including Swanage. 3 years ago
Big cash boosts for Purbeck community hubs Two Purbeck organisations are set to receive an injection of cash from Dorset Council as part of a grant scheme to support our cultural and community centres in Dorset. 3 years ago
Swanage councillors disown leaflet about proposed gypsy site Councillor Gary Suttle and councillor Bill Trite who represent Swanage on Dorset Council say they did not write a leaflet that objects to a proposed gypsy site in Swanage. 3 years ago
Proposal to turn Wareham Quay into a piazza A group of residents, backed by the environmental group, Planet Purbeck have come up with a proposal to pedestrianise Wareham Quay. 3 years ago
Keeping most services running through lockdown says Dorset Council As Swanage settles in for another pandemic-necessitated lockdown, Dorset Council has released a list of its services, detailing what’s open, what’s shut and what is continuing but with restrictions. 3 years ago
New legal backing for dog rules in Dorset Swanage dog owners must take note that a new legal framework around dogs in public spaces will come into force in the new year. 3 years ago
“Drop in and pick up” free coats and PJs for kids in Swanage Parents in need of coats and pyjamas for their children are invited to stop by Swanage Children’s Centre to collect clothing to keep their kids warm through the bleak winter ... 3 years ago
Price freeze on Swanage beach huts for next summer Anyone hiring a council-owned Shore Road beach hut will have to pay the whole cost upfront next year - but there will be no price increase. 3 years ago
Swanage Library brings back fines for overdue books Swanage Library is reintroducing overdue charges, after fines were suspended in the wake of the coronavirus crisis but it's also reinstating reservations. 3 years ago
Dogs on Swanage Beach – survey findings published Results include whether dogs should be allowed on Swanage’s Main Beach in the summer and if they should be allowed off the lead on the beach in winter. 3 years ago
Swanage Library to reopen with new COVID-19 rules A new chapter for Swanage Library starts today as it reopens following its sudden closure last March 2020 due to the coronavirus crisis. 3 years ago
Three Swanage retailers star in COVID-19 films Videos made to show how shops and businesses in Dorset are adapting to the coronavirus pandemic have chosen to feature three shops in Swanage. 3 years ago
Financial cost of Covid-19 to Swanage is over £500k The financial cost of the coronavirus pandemic to Swanage is likely to total over half a million pounds in loss of income to the town council. 3 years ago
Social distancing signs get graphic in Wareham While Swanage has opted for discreet social distancing messages on its pavements, Wareham has plumped for a more eye-catching design. 3 years ago
‘Leave Space’ signs to make Swanage safer A social distancing message has been sprayed onto town centre pavements to help keep the town safer from the spread of coronavirus. 3 years ago
Swanage car parks to start charging again Car parking charges that were suspended during lockdown are to be reinstated for the car parks operated by Swanage Town Council. 3 years ago
Respect our communities pleads Dorset Ahead of a meeting to prevent a repeat of last weekend's scenes at Durdle Door, visitors are being asked to head home if it's too busy. 3 years ago
Lulworth Estate says it’s powerless to close Durdle Door In the latest news following last weekend’s shocking scenes, Lulworth Estate says it can’t stop people overcrowding its beaches and Dorset Council has written to the PM. 3 years ago
Revealed – Dorset Council’s crisis response to COVID-19 In Dorset Council’s first online Cabinet meeting, the true extent of its fight against coronavirus in Dorset has been detailed, including its battle for PPE. 3 years ago
Rules about dogs on Swanage beach relaxed Dorset Council is relaxing the restrictions that prevent dogs being walked on beaches during the warmer months, while the coronavirus pandemic is ongoing. 3 years ago
The Swanage School appoints new headteacher The governing body of The Swanage School has announced that Jenny Maraspin is to become the school’s new headteacher with immediate effect. 4 years ago
Coronavirus crisis closes Swanage Library Swanage Library, along with all libraries across Dorset, is set to close at the end of Friday 20th March 2020. 4 years ago
New headteacher for The Swanage School A new headteacher is being sought for The Swanage School following the news that the current head, Tristram Hobson is to step down. 4 years ago
Views sought on permanent closure of Shore Road Swanage Town Council has launched a consultation to find out if residents support the possible permanent closure of the south end of Shore Road. 4 years ago