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May 2021 May 2021
these fertilisers into rivers and other water supplies, causing all sorts of alien Virtual Meetings
vegetative growth and chemical contamination .As for chemical sprays, some
have been a definite problem since first used, for example, when glyphosphates Government recently
were first introduced we couldn’t believe our luck, they did a wonderful job but announced that there
are now banned widely because of the damage they can do. Many new would be no extension
changes have been made which are beneficially increasing yields by use of for local authority
botanical techniques in crops and the use of zoological breeding of higher virtual meetings to be
yielding animals. held after 7 May, due
t o l a c k o f
Much of what I learnt during my three years at agricultural college, almost sixty Parliamentary time to
years ago is no longer acceptable. Even the plough is becoming a less used tool consider this matter.
and surface soils are being treated in entirely different ways. Some years ago I T h i s c r e a t e s a
decided I needed to update my complete outlook on life and add to my challenging situation
knowledge of the natural world. So I actually obtained a degree in Environmental as COVID restrictions
Studies with the Open University, which caused me a lot of effort and some are not anticipated to
trouble but am glad I did it. I can now look on our world with a completely be lifted fully until 21
different perspective and appreciate the wonders of the basic, natural world. June at the earliest. In the meantime, we do not have any meeting spaces big
At this time of the global pandemic, we think of all those who are suffering, all enough for all 82 councillors to meet in person in a COVID secure way. To give an
those who have passed away and we especially want to thank all those who indication of the current restrictions, within the whole of the South Walks House
have been instrumental in caring for the sick. committee suite space, there is only sufficient room for a maximum of 15 people to
meet in a COVID secure way. And in the County Hall council chamber, it would
May God bless them all. only be possible for a maximum of 18 people to meet in a COVID secure way. This
would not even allow for Cabinet meetings to be held in person.
Ted Cox
Our democratic services team has also looked at other possible venues across
Dorset, but none have been found where all 82 councillors could meet in person
and conduct a Full Council meeting in a COVID secure way. As a result, we have
had to move our Annual Council meeting forward by a few days to 4 May so it
can be held virtually. We do not yet know whether council meetings will revert to
being held in person from 21 June, and this will depend on Government guidance
based on the current COVID situation. We have been continually lobbying
Did you Know? Government for councils to retain the ability to choose when they whether they
want to hold meetings in person, online, or as a hybrid in future. In light of this
You can have your parish magazine delivered to your door each month if situation, we have been exploring the options for how we hold council meetings in
you live within the parishes. the interim period between 7 May and 21 June, in a way that is legal, COVID
secure, and enables the democratic process to continue. More on this next month
We have a fantastic team of volunteer distributors who undertake the
delivery of this magazine, and for just £8 a year (which is £1 less that you The choice of schools for Children
would pay at the retail price and no charge for delivery), you could be Recently parents across the county found out which primary, first junior or middle
included on one of these rounds. school their child will be going to in September 2021. Of the 4482 applications –

Contact the Editor, for more information: Alison Debenham 99.09 per cent of parents are receiving the good news that their child has gained
one of their three preferences, compared to last years’ figure of 98.8 per cent. This
alison@culverdell.co.uk or 01929 471780 includes places for those starting school for the first time, transferring from infant to
junior school and transferring from first to middle schools. Of the 3105 applications

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