News in Dorchester

West Dorset MP Chris Loder is calling for targets to be set to bring an end to plastic pollution.

He proposed changes to the Environment Bill, which went before parliament this week, to cut the use of single-use plastics.

Dorchester headteacher and national digital learning expert Mr Gary Spracklen is reminding parents and carers of the rewards and risks associated with online video games ahead of International Safer Internet Day on Tuesday, February 9.

In his letter to parents and carers of pupils at The Prince of Wales School, Mr Spracklen highlighted how "playing age-appropriate computer games may have real-world benefits for hand-eye coordination and sensorimotor skills" while also recognising that "the audio chat feature within age-appropriate computer games, when used properly as a form of coordination, can also teach communication skills".

Schoolchildren and students in Dorchester will not be going back to school after the February half term with schools hoped to be open from March 8.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said "it will not be possible" to reopen schools in England next month and that "we do not yet have enough data" to decide when to ease the country's lockdown.

Dorset Council has been accused of doing little to publicise the effects its Local Plan review might have on Dorchester – other than take down a banner which drew attention to it.

That move has now led to the town council seeking to take control over which banners are displayed in the county town.

Dorchester's annual town meeting will not be delayed in the hope that Covid will have subsided enough for it to physically go ahead.

Legally the town council could delay the meeting, which allows residents to have their say on anything that they like, until June 1. The meeting is normally held in March.

The A35 between Bridport and Dorchester is partially blocked due to a traffic accident near the petrol station in Winterbourne Abbas.

Traffic is slow and motorists are facing delays.

The town council share of council tax in Dorchester in the year ahead will be limited to an increase of 0.8 per cent.

Attempts to persuade the Lib Dem council to keep the increase to zero, or to cut the tax, were politely listened to – but ignored.

Tens of thousands of pounds are being spent chasing builders and developers in Dorset who fail to stick to the planning rules.

The Dorset Council 12-strong enforcement team is said to be under so much pressure that it is struggling to cope with the workload – made temporarily worse by currently switching to a new computer system. It also has around 20 per cent of the team on long-term sick leave, or unavailable for front line work for other reasons and has been forced to buy in agency workers to help keep up.

Minister for Media and Data John Whittingdale has praised Nub News for showing there is still a demand for community-focussed local journalism.

The Maldon MP's endorsement follows the expansion of Nub News into 62 towns across the UK in recent months, including the launch of Dorchester Nub News this month.

Plans for nine luxury homes on a former council depot site at Redbridge Lane, Crossways have been refused planning permission.

Dorset Council has decided the one hectare site would not be sustainable as it lies outside of the defined development area which would mean residents having to rely on cars for all their needs.