The report, which covers April 2025 to March 2026, sets out how the council is delivering its Council Plan priorities. It gives a clear, public overview of what has been achieved over the past year, what is improving, and where further work is needed.

Highlights from the report include:

• 423 affordable homes delivered and 25 long-term empty homes brought back into use
• Temporary accommodation use reduced by 9%, helping more residents stay in settled homes
• More than 700 businesses supported through Growth Hub programmes.

• 59.4% of household waste recycled, reused or composted, among the highest rates in England.
• Dorset Council’s Children’s Services were rated Outstanding by Ofsted.

• Adult Social Care rated Good by the Care Quality Commission.

Over the year, more residents have been supported to stay in their homes, with fewer households relying on temporary accommodation and strong performance in preventing homelessness. Residents have also benefited from continued investment in communities, with early help for families, support for independent living, and targeted support with the cost of living.

The council has also strengthened the local economy by supporting hundreds of businesses, attracting investment, and creating opportunities for jobs and skills. At the same time, work has continued to tackle the climate and nature crisis, with lower carbon emissions, more renewable energy, and one of the highest recycling rates in England.

Alongside these improvements, the report highlights the everyday services people rely on, including waste collection, roads, libraries and planning services, which continue to perform strongly even during periods of high demand and severe weather.

National recognition has also reflected the quality of local services. Children’s Services were rated “Outstanding” by Ofsted, and Adult Social Care was rated “Good” by the Care Quality Commission.

Like all councils across the country, Dorset continues to face rising demand, particularly for housing and care services, alongside financial pressures. Despite this, the council balanced its budget and maintained strong performance across its services.

The report also sets out areas where further progress is needed, including delivering more affordable homes, improving educational outcomes, and continuing to grow the local economy over the longer term.

Cllr Nick Ireland, Leader of Dorset Council, said:  “Residents rightly expect us to focus on the things that matter most: a safe and decent home, support when it is needed, good jobs, reliable local services and a healthy environment. This report shows Dorset Council is making real progress in those areas, while being honest about where there is still more to do.

“That progress can be seen in practical ways: helping people stay in their homes, supporting families earlier, keeping essential services running well and investing in the communities people care about.

“The challenges are real, particularly rising demand and tighter funding, but our response is clear: prevent problems earlier, work more closely with communities and partners, and make every pound count for Dorset residents.”

The Annual Report forms part of the council’s commitment to transparency and accountability, helping residents understand how decisions are made and how services are performing across Dorset.