News in Dorchester

Popular Dorchester attraction, Sculpture by the Lakes, picked up four awards at this year's Dorset Tourism Awards.

Awards day was a bit different this year, which was held online over five sessions yesterday (Thursday) but 61 awards were presented in 22 categories.

Dorset residents are getting the message about lockdown restrictions – with fewer fixed penalty notices being issued.

Only 40 were fined last month, compared to 124 in the second lockdown period in November and 849 in the first lockdown from March-May.

Tributes have been paid in Dorchester to the 1,000 people who have died with coronavirus in Dorset.

This week marks the sad occasion the county passes the milestone of 1,000 Covid-related deaths.

The cost of Dorset Police will increase by 6.2 per cent in the coming financial year – adding £15 a year to the 'average' band D household.

Chief Constable James Vaughan says that £255.58 annual charge will see the force, already one of the best performing in the country, continue to improve.

A 200-home extension to Dorchester will be the final phase of Prince Charles' Poundbury housing project.

The 30-year venture has brought global attention to the county town, a host of Royal and other dignitaries, as well as countless jobs over the period.

Consultation groups are being set up across Dorset to tackle the next phase of Dorset Council's parking charges review.

The council says it wants to align charges and parking permits across the whole area, possibly in three bands. New parking permits are being considered for workers and shoppers which could be used across the county in specified car parks.

A barn on a farm site near Corscombe is to be used for a cookery school.

Dorset Council has agreed the change of use for one of the barns at Weston Manor Farm for Miles and Emily Lampson.

Volunteers have been doing an amazing job throughout vaccination clinics at The Atrium Health Centre in Dorchester - from guiding people to the centre, helping them before and after they get their vaccine and the reserve volunteers on hand to jump in at a moment's notice.

Mike Watson was due to volunteer as a car park marshal on Friday from 8am to 10pm, however, he unfortunately twisted his knee and had to cancel his commitment.

WHAT IS THE STAMP DUTY HOLIDAY?

The Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) is a tax usually applied on the sale of properties. The Government has announced a break on collecting this tax up until March 31, 2021; there is no SDLT for the sale of a main residence property in England and Northern Ireland, up to the value of £500,000.

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