Charminster Parish is a large parish located just north of the County Town of Dorchester and incorporates the settlements of Charminster, Charlton Down and Forston. There are currently 1,300 properties in the Parish with just over 2,800 residents.

The Parish Council comprises 13 councillors who are unpaid volunteers (7 in the South Ward of Charminster and 6 in the North Ward of Charlton Down and Forston).

To view the Register of Interests of the Councillors please follow this link

The Council employs a Parish Clerk and an Assistant Clerk.

We own and manage a range of amenities including 2 playgrounds, 2 Nature Areas, 2 community orchards, allotments at Charlton Down, tennis courts and a cemetery.

We also review and comment on all planning applications, coordinating with Dorset Council on issues that affect the Parish and help deal with local issues raised by parishioners.

You are invited to attend Parish Council Meetings which are held on the first Tuesday of each month (no meetings in January or August) at Charminster Community Hall and Charlton Down Village Hall on an alternating basis. Near the start of each meeting, there is always an opportunity for members of the public to raise any issues of concern they may have.

Further information on Charminster and Charlton Down.