WHAT a remarkable year – the county opened its arms to Ukrainian refugees with the effects of war in that country wiping millions off the county's pension fund and rising inflation putting many into debt.

A series of planning applications for hundreds of homes, and solar farms, stirred up local residents time and time again.

Looking back a common theme seems to be – we were talking about it months ago (or even longer) and, in many cases discussions are continuing now.

Financial affairs permeated the Dorset Council year with talk from the outset of a struggle with inflationary pressures. The predicted end of year financial shortfall yo-yo'd … and today there continues to be warnings from some that too much is being taken from reserves to prop up current budgets and support both children's and adult services, the two big spenders.

Dorset remains one of the areas of the country with the very highest council tax.

Inveterate watcher of council finances Weymouth councillor David Gray continues it to warn that it is likely to get worse, before it gets better… if it ever does.

Pubs and restaurants closed during the year but remarkably some previously shut pubs are now planning to re-open, despite the odds, and many are finding new ways of surviving, with the Pulpit Inn on Portland and Trooper Inn at Stourton Caundle offering more tourist accommodation.

What many see as petty regulations have been responsible for delays and cancellations – a campsite on Portland told it could not remain open because the site is marginally too close to The Fleet; others in the east of the county unable to operate at all because water run-off from the sites might add to nitrate levels in the Poole Harbour catchment.

More, apparently, straightforward developments have also been caught up by these regulations – in Dorchester where we are still waiting for low-cost homes on the old tennis courts site and just up the road, overlooking the Borough Gardens, at a complex for older people where redevelopment plans to improve living conditions have shuddered to a stop.

A handful of individuals seem to have their own attitude to planning rules – based around doing whatever you want to do and then waiting while the council decides what they can actually do about it.

Residents in some areas of the county will know that these breaches can go on for years until they are resolved.

January –

Amanda Pearson becomes the new Chief Constable for the county after the outgoing post-holder heads back to Hampshire for the top job there.

Massive, and expensive plans, are announced by the RSPB to create a new wetland at Arne.

Redevelopment plans for Weymouth Fire Station are announced – to create a new regional training centre. We wait almost a year until the plans are published for public consultation.

Dorchester Market.

Income at Dorchester market drops again as plans are published for improvements to the road which runs between the two market areas. A year later the work starts, although cut back in its scope.

February

Dentist appointments across the county seem to be vanishing at an alarming rate. A report states at even dentists are saying they can no longer afford to live in the county.

Dorset Council announces a bonus scheme for chief officers saying it is becoming increasingly difficult to compete for top staff – despite six figure salaries.

Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue finds itself the centre of a TV report into sexism and misogyny – which it denies.

A Weymouth nightclub, which lost its licence after drug-dealing while the owner was away is allowed to re-open, with a reduction in hours.

March

A 60-home development off Louviers Road, Littlemoor is approved, despite some concerns about the loss of open land.

An application for an outdoor dining area at West Bay is turned down.

Two of the biggest items to dominate local news emerge with announcements about the asylum barge at Portland Port and the Powerfuel waste to energy incinerator at Portland Port.

The month ends with one of the area's biggest ever solar 'farms' – near Owermoigne and bordering the former Winfrith site, signed off. It is still not built.

April

Another stage in the redevelopment of the Parnham House site, which was gutted by fire, is reached with the approval of 'riverside lodges' in the grounds for holidaymakers.

One of the county's first battery storage facilities, on the outskirts of Shaftesbury, gains planning consent.

An extension to Wimborne Hospital get the go-ahead from planners.

May

Demolition of what was Dorchester's main nightclub site, the former Buzz Inn, in High West Street starts – to be replaced by town houses.

Concerns are raised over the Premises Licence of a shop near Weymouth railway station after illegal vapes and cigarettes without duty paid are seized. By the end of the month the licence is formally revoked.

Portland's The Boat that Rocks restaurant and bar, is taken over by Salt.. who largely keep the building as it was.

The Vearse Farm, now Foundry Lea, housing development on the edge of Bridport comes up for planning again after previous delays, but is still not approved.

We learn that delays to improving the National Grid in the county mean that some developments may have to wait until 2036… if they want to use power!

Dorchester's Thomas Hardye School has all its main IT systems brought down by a cyber ransomware attack. The school doesn't pay but takes months to rebuild its systems.

Further changes are announced for the redevelopment of the Dorchester Prison site for housing. The building continues to be used for film work and adventure games.

All local harbours report a slow start to the season from visiting boats and some moorings and berths.

The Vearse Farm/Foundry Lea 850 homes are finally approved along with changes to Bridport's St Michael's trading estate.

Plans for a solar facility at Pulham are deferred after concerns about the impact on the landscape.

Cllr Bill Pipe (Con) resigns from his appointment as lead councillor for education after less than a month in a job citing an overfull diary, conflicting with his family life.

Another appeal over plans for housing close to the historic Wolfeton House, Charminster is submitted.

In Sherborne there is byelection victory for the Liberal Democrats, to keep the seat, following the resignation of Matt Hall after a move to Devon for work.

Taxi fares increases are agreed for Weymouth and Portland as some drivers claim they are losing money.

 July

Weymouth Preston and Littlemoor councillor Tony Ferrari proposed a motion condemning the Government decision to allow the asylum-seeker barge which Dorset Council says it has no planning jurisdiction over.

The amount of financial reserve funding held by the Dorset Police & Crime Commissioner's office is questioned – the amount said to be well above recommended levels.

Demolition of the former Weymouth and Portland borough council offices at North Quay suggested, again.

Council leader Spencer Flower responds to criticism of his group's statements on the asylum barge saying "we were always truthful."

A 'high-class' homes proposal for the former fire-damaged Co-Op site at Gillingham is rejected an an over-development of the town centre site.

Kate Reid wins a Dorchester town council by-election for the Lib Dems after former party member Tony Lyall resigns citing 'policy differences' with the rest of the group.

Widespread problems are reported with the Corelli estate at Sherborne. Builders Persimmon later issue a statement promising to complete the works needed.

August

A month when only essential council committees meet –

Planning is one which does and neighbours are happy when changes to a Portland hot food takeaway, A.J's Pizza, are refused – an issue which has now gone to appeal.

A project to bring White Storks back to a north Dorset farm is announced by a conservation trust – and widely welcomed.

A 'pop up' campsite close to Portland Bill is refused because it is, marginally, too close to the Fleet – but allowed to stay in place with little of the tourist season remaining and the weather not too good.

The Government confirms that the asylum barge will be coming with some financial support offered to Dorset Council.

Plans are submitted to replace cladding and improve fire safety at Atlantic House, Portland.

Details of a new pedestrian crossing for the narrow rail bridge at Weymouth Avenue, Dorchester are made public.

Redevelopment plans are discussed for the Sly Fox at Osmington which include a smaller pub being reopened with housing in the grounds.

Residents on the edge of Weymouth call for Wessex Water to tackle "the Wyke Whiff" caused, they claim, by the sewage treatment works.

September

Plans for strengthen the harbour wall at North Quay, Weymouth announced.

Approval given for the revised plans for housing and a limited commercial development at Newton's Cove.

An 80-home proposal for Broadmayne leads many residents to complain it will swamp the village, but is later approved at an area planning committee.

Dorset Council again defends its parking charges increase in coastal towns after more complaints that, thanks to the big rises in fees, the economy has suffered. The council later in the year blame the weather.

Plans for the former M&S store in Dorchester to become a Premier Inn are announced – only for the work to be delayed by the discovery of dodgy concrete which will be replaced.

Proposals for solar panels to power a campsite at Eype are campaigned against by some locals, a new group being formed to press the point.

Dorchester councillor Les Fry calls for a new household recycling centre for Dorchester – claiming the present site is cramped, un-usable by many and approached only via a pot holed road, which often floods. Dorset Council say a replacement is likely to be very expensive.

An ancient oak panel from the Thomas Hardye School appears at an eastern counties auction – only to be withdrawn from sale when questions are asked about how it came to be there. It has since been bought by the 'old boys' association for the school.

October

Plans to demolish and redevelop the Holly Court, Weymouth older persons home are approved, – but, meanwhile work stops on another former residential home, Marchesi House, Southill.

Proposals for a new Sunday market for Dorchester announced – to be run by a company involved with Sherborne and Shaftesbury markets and likely to start in April.

Lyme Regis town council sticks to its guns over wanting a complete ban on dogs on the town beach in the winter – although Dorset Council later wins a vote on allowing them.

As flu and Covid jabs begin for some it emerges that some people are being offered appointments in neighbouring counties, or places within Dorset many miles from their homes.

Complaints over proposals for a massive battery storage site at Chickerell gain momentum.

The council leader's 'devolution' idea of working with other councils in some areas is condemned by opposition councillors as being woolly and lacking in detail. Cllr Spencer Flower says it could save money.

Weymouth councillor Louie O'Leary protests about unelected people being given seats, and an allowance, on the harbours committee, claiming it is un-democractic.

November/December

An idea for a 'dental school' in Dorset is floated as a way of attracting more trainee dentists to the county in the hope that some will stay and set up business here.

A Dorset tourism report highlights a surprising fact – many people from the county choose to holiday in parts of Dorset, away from where they live.

A report warns that work on Dorset's energy and climate change might be slipping in some areas – and more of the public will need to 'buy in' to the ideas, if it is to succeed. Swanage councillor Bill Trite questions whether the costs are justified.

Another attempt is made to introduce the title of 'alderman' for some retiring councillors. It was defeated the first time round, but is now approved.

A report warns that school transport costs are rising, capital spending has slipped and car park income so far for the year is less than predicted.

Asda Express at Winterbourne Zelston run into complaints from neighbours over wanting to sell booze around the clock – the company getting its licence after reducing the hours.

The Portland waste to energy public inquiry sits until just before Christmas over Dorset Council's planning refusal for the proposal. More than sixty residents ask to speak to the Inspector during one evening session.

The main road through Lyme Regis re-opens just before Christmas following the partial collapse of a building – but too late to be of much help for already lost seasonal shopping according to Cllr Belinda Bawden.

A byelection is called for January 11th for the Preston and Littlemoor Dorset Council seat and the Preston seat for Weymouth town council, caused by the death in November of Cllr Tony Ferrari. Dorset Council say the vote will take place although one of the candidates is facing a claim he be disqualified after he allegedly failed to declare his work for Dorset Council on the nomination form. Dorset Police say they will investigate, following a complaint, but not until after the election is held.