Three Rivers Partnership - News Archive

September Exposition

Wed, 19 Sep 2007 15:50:33 +0100

SHAPE THE FUTURE NOW!!

A community Expo at

Gillingham Town Hall
on
Friday 28th Sep 9am to 8pm
Saturday 29th & Sunday 30th 9am to 5pm

To present facts and figures about new leisure and fitness facilities and new local services
Find out what options are being proposed and weigh up the benefits and costs

See for yourself
Offer your views
Register your preferences

More information on the Expo

Winter 2007 Newsletter

Wed, 02 Jan 2008 12:12:20 +0000

Below are the three pages from the Three Rivers Newsletter Winter 2007. Click on each page to view the full size image.

If you would prefer to download them to your computer there is a pdf file at the end of this post. You will need a pdf reader to access it. If you do not already have one installed on your computer you can download Adobe Acrobat Reader which is free.

Autumn 2007 Newsletter

Wed, 02 Jan 2008 11:19:50 +0000

Below are the three pages from the Three Rivers Newsletter Autumn 2007. Click on each page to view the full size image.

Summer 2007 Newsletter

Wed, 02 Jan 2008 11:07:17 +0000

Below are the four pages from the Three Rivers Newsletter Summer 2007. Click on each page to view the full size image.

Spring 2007 Newsletter

Wed, 02 Jan 2008 10:02:54 +0000

Below are the two pages from the Three Rivers Newsletter Spring 2007. Click on each page to view the full size image.

December 2007 - Saturday Walk

Tue, 30 Oct 2007 10:27:30 +0000

Notice:
The December Gillingham Walkers Saturday afternoon walk

Date: 1st December 2007
Start: 2pm from the Peacemarsh Surgery (please park in nearby roads NOT the surgery car park)

The walk will be about 4 miles.

Everyone welcome.

For more information contact the coordinator, Sheila Messer on 01747 821269 or see the main Gillingham Walkers section.

November 2007 - Saturday Walk

Tue, 30 Oct 2007 10:24:17 +0000

Notice:
The November Gillingham Walkers Saturday afternoon walk

Date: 3rd November 2007
Start: 2pm from the Buffalo Inn (please park in nearby roads NOT the pub car park)

The walk will be about 4 miles.

Everyone welcome.

For more information contact the coordinator, Sheila Messer on 01747 821269 or see the main Gillingham Walkers section.

Community Expo results

Tue, 16 Oct 2007 10:08:24 +0100

Many thanks to everyone who came along and supported the EXPO. It was encouraging that a total of over 1300 local residents, including young people, attended and made their views known. Thanks, too, to all the many volunteers who helped to make it such a successful event.

The Three Rivers Partnership set out their plans for the development of the Leisure and Community facilities in Gillingham at the Town Hall over the weekend of 28/30th September 2007.

A key objective was to assess the level of local support for the Partnership to pursue options for developing a new leisure centre in the town. A range of options was presented, and, as far as possible at this stage, the likely costs and the level of financial support needed was set out for each. This meant estimated capital costs (to be met from existing funds set aside, sponsors and partners) – and operating costs, and the estimated level of support from local council tax for the facility to break even.

The more expensive proposals, which would include a new swimming pool, are clearly ambitious for an area with Gillingham’s population, and there are few precedents for community-sponsored projects of this sort to learn from. But the partnership is determined that if there is strong enough local mandate, every effort should be made to bring modern leisure and community facilities to Gillingham and the surrounding area.

Funding difficulties are made worse by Government raids on lottery funds to prop up the 2012 Olympics, and by the parlous state of North Dorset District Council (NDDC’s) own finances.

The Expo also asked views on whether local council tax support should be provided for services being withdrawn by NDDC – notably street cleaning and public toilets.

The full content of both the Roadshow and the Expo are available from this website.

Results:

Services being withdrawn by NDDC at the end of March 2008, i.e. street cleaning and public toilet:
- An overwhelming majority agreed to the proposition that Gillingham Town Council should take over these services.
On the Leisure Centre options:
- It is clear that the vast majority of residents who engaged with the Expo information have indicated that they are prepared to accept an increase in their Council Tax to offset the inevitable deficit involved in running a swimming pool.
  The options were to include either a 4 lane 20 metre pool, or a 6 lane 25 metre pool.
  The overwhelming majority of swimmers and non-swimmers chose the 6 lane option.
Open Spaces – North Dorset District Council's Local Delivery transfer of land to communities
- There is a clear majority wish for negotiations with NDDC to continue and Three Rivers to employ a person to manage those areas in and around Gillingham.
- Three Rivers Partnership has set up a Land Trust to receive the proposed ownership of land, which will keep them in community ownership in perpetuity and protected from development.
- Painstaking research work has been undertaken by our forensic accountant, the report is expected soon, and full details will be in our next Newsletter and soon here on the website.
Next Steps

We now know that people are prepared to pay for the running of the project.
1. To supplement the £4 million from North Dorset District Council a further £10 million is needed for building costs. We need to appoint professionals to determine whether the money is out there and accessible to us.
2. Assuming it is shown the project is achievable, then 3RP will employ a high-calibre full-time professional fundraiser, and at that point will establish a permanent office and take on someone for administrative support.
3. We are following up with the other market towns and villages who are critical to the success of this venture.
4. We will continue our fortnightly meetings with senior members of NDDC to ensure everything is managed in the best possible way.
5. Volunteers – All interested groups will work together to achieve a successful outcome as quickly as possible. Three Rivers will help coordinate voluntary help for all that needs to be done, in particular local fundraising events. Skills of all kinds will be required and we are grateful to all those who have already offered their services. We will be in touch with you soon to put those skills to good use!

Gillingham Area Local Delivery Roadshow Schedule

Thu, 16 Aug 2007 12:53:13 +0100

Since May, representatives from 3 Rivers, GTC and NDDC have been meeting regularly to determine the best way to bring about the proposed changes in how local services are delivered to the Town and surrounding Parishes and how to bring fruition plans for new Sports and Fitness facilities for the whole area.

Whilst it has not been possible to notify the Public at every turn, the three Partners are committed to presenting a clear picture of the true situation, what is being done by them to address key issues, what are the real options and what are the hard decisions the Community and Partners must make.

A joint ROADSHOW will tour the whole area during August and September with the aim of raising awareness and stimulating discussion between Residents and their Town and Parish Councillors. Representatives from 3 Rivers, and NDDC will be on hand to capture your and answer your questions.

Come to the ROADSHOW and get the real picture!

Gillingham & Shaftesbury Show	15th August	All Day at the 3RP stand
Marnhull Village Hall	17th August	10am to 7pm
Kington Magna Village Hall	21st August	10am to 7pm
Bourton Village Hall	22nd August	10am to 6pm
East Stour Village Hall	23rd August	10am to 7pm
Gillingham Town Hall	24th August	10am to 7pm
Motcombe Memorial Hall	30th August	10am to 7pm
Gillingham Town Hall	13th September	10am to 7pm

Following on from the Roadshow a major EXPOSITION will be staged at Gillingham Town Hall from Friday 28th September through to Sunday 30th September to give the Town and Parish communities full details of the scope, cost and benefits of the Services that Gillingham Town Council proposes to offer, together with full details of the design, build and running costs of the new Sports and Fitness centre that 3 Rivers is proposing to develop on your behalf.

You will again be able to discuss your views and questions with representatives from the three partnering organisations. Most importantly, you will be invited to register your support for the proposals.

Come to the EXPO and make up your own mind!

Gillingham Area Local Delivery Roadshow

Thu, 16 Aug 2007 12:14:33 +0100

A joint ROADSHOW will tour the whole area during August and September with the aim of raising awareness and stimulating discussion between Residents and their Town and Parish Councillors. Representatives from 3 Rivers, and NDDC will be on hand to capture and answer your questions.

Come to the ROADSHOW and get the real picture!

See the Roadshow schedule

Following on from the Roadshow a major EXPOSITION will be staged at Gillingham Town Hall from Friday 28th September through to Sunday 30th September to give the Town and Parish communities full details of the scope, cost and benefits of the Services that Gillingham Town Council proposes to offer, together with full details of the design, build and running costs of the new Sports and Fitness centre that 3 Rivers is proposing to develop on your behalf.

You will again be able to discuss your views and questions with representatives from the three partnering organisations. Most importantly, you will be invited to register your support for the proposals.

Come to the EXPO and make up your own mind!

AGM 2007

Fri, 20 Apr 2007 09:11:15 +0100

You are invited to the Annual General Meeting of the Three Rivers Partnership.

The meeting is to be held on Tuesday 15th May 2007 at the Gillingham Primary School.

The formal meeting will begin at 7.00pm. There will be an opportunity for informal discussion with Trustees from 6.30pm.

Please note the following:

Only members present at the AGM are entitled to vote. Anyone in the area over the age of 18 may become a member of the partnership;
Members are able to submit resolutions or questions for the AGM to the office,details on the contact us page, by Monday 1st May 2007;
The Three Rivers Partnership Accounts are available for inspection by appointment by contacting the office, details on the contact us page.

Agenda
AGM Briefing
Memorandum and Articles of Association

April 2007 - Saturday Walk

Tue, 20 Mar 2007 11:33:17 +0000

Notice:
The April Gillingham Walkers Saturday afternoon walk

Date: 7th April 2007
Start: 2pm from the Buffalo Inn (please park in nearby roads NOT the pub car park), Wyke.

The walk will be about 4 miles.

Everyone welcome.

For more information contact Penny on 01747 823774 or see the main Gillingham Walkers section.

Illustrated Talk with GANG - March 2007

Fri, 16 Mar 2007 11:37:36 +0000

Thursday March 22nd 7.30pm
Vicarage Schoolroom, Gillingham

Gillingham Action For Nature Group welcome everyone to
an illustrated talk "Two Love-Birds in Zanzibar" with Norman Law.

Refreshments will be available.

! Corrected time for March Saturday Walk!

Wed, 28 Feb 2007 10:20:47 +0000

Please note that the advertised time for the March Saturday walk was incorrect.

The walk will start at 10.30am from the Olive Bowl.

The walk information has been corrected.

Apologies for any inconvenience caused.

March 2007 - Saturday Walk

Fri, 19 Jan 2007 14:33:50 +0000

Notice:
The March Gillingham Walkers Saturday morning walk

Date: 3rd March 2007
Start: 10.30am from The Olive Bowl

The walk will be about 4 miles.

Followed by lunch at 12.30 at The Olive Bowl, £10 a head.
To book for lunch ring Allun or Anna on 01747 826618 as soon as possible

For more information contact the coordinator, Sheila Messer on 01747 821269 or see the main Gillingham Walkers section.