There has been a history of local government in Dorchester dating back to Anglo Saxon times and Dorchester has been the county town since 1305. It has elected a mayor since 1629. Dorchester Town Council is the parish authority for the county town. The Town Council has 20 members, elected for a period of 4 years.
The Town Council provides a range of social and recreational facilities including the Borough Gardens, the Corn Exchange, the Skate Park and 14 play areas, Sports Pitches, 3 Cemeteries and 6 Allotment sites. We also support a wide range of community organisations, both financially and with practical help, and are involved in running over 50 events a year, including music, theatre, sports, civic and commemoration events.
The town has a population approaching 20,000, which is growing quickly with the expansion of Dorchester at Poundbury and Brewery Square. As our town grows the Town Council promotes the town's interests with the other statutory bodies that operate in the town, particularly Dorset County Council and West Dorset District Council.
Lots more information regarding our budget (turnover £1.4M a year) and our Corporate Plan can be found on www.dorchester-tc.gov.uk. Our Corn Exchange has it's own website which can be found at www.dorchestercornexchange.com ‘