Gillingham Town Council Showcases Community Impact at Discover Gillingham Day
Dorset Council colleagues and elected councillors experienced firsthand how strategic local government decisions translate into tangible community benefits during a comprehensive tour of Gillingham on 9 May 2025.
Gillingham Town Council organised the Discover Gillingham Day to demonstrate how their forward-thinking approach to local governance is creating lasting positive change for residents. The initiative, which received strong support from Neil Wedge, Chief Executive of DAPTC, showcased what an aspirational local council can achieve when vision meets action.
Transforming Community Assets
The tour highlighted remarkable success stories of community asset transformation. The former North Dorset Leisure Centre, which closed in 2008 following facility failures, has been reborn as RiversMeet Leisure Centre through a £6 million community-led refurbishment. Now operated as a not-for-profit social enterprise by the Gillingham Community and Leisure Trust, the facility serves over 1,200 members weekly through 115+ exercise classes, supporting everyone from babies to seniors in their swimming programmes.
Particularly impressive is the centre's commitment to community health, having completed over 300 exercise referrals since 2022 and served 5,200 meals to underprivileged children during school holidays. The facility's sustainability credentials are equally noteworthy, with 84% of energy coming from solar panels and a 92% reduction in carbon emissions achieved between 2021-2024.
Economic Growth and Business Innovation
Visitors witnessed Gillingham's emerging role as a business hub, with Brickfields Business Park hosting diverse enterprises from creative agencies to international manufacturers. The park is home to Dextra Group, a leading commercial lighting manufacturer founded in 1978, and Merck's major distribution centre serving universities and research centres across the UK and Ireland with over 600,000 lines shipped annually.
The town's strategic location, with direct rail links to London and proximity to the A303, positions it ideally for continued economic growth, supporting approximately 50,000 residents within a 10-mile radius.
Community-Centred Development
The tour showcased how development planning prioritises community needs. The Southern Extension development by Redrow and Places for People will deliver 961 new homes alongside essential infrastructure including a new primary school, doctor's surgery, community hall, and approximately 100 acres of public open space.
Meanwhile, projects like the £57,000 Town Meadow improvement, funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, demonstrate how strategic grant applications translate into enhanced community spaces with improved accessibility and drainage for year-round events.
Sustainable Future Planning
Gillingham's vision extends beyond current achievements. Plans for modern sports facilities at Hardings Park, including potential tennis courts, pump tracks and a proposed 3G pitch, show commitment to long-term community health and wellbeing.
The new St Martins Extra Care Scheme, offering 55 apartments for residents over 55, exemplifies how the town is planning for demographic changes while maintaining community independence.
Mayor Roger Weeks emphasised that the day affirmed "the importance of collaboration in shaping resilient, thriving communities," while showcasing Gillingham's transformation into a forward-thinking town that balances growth with community values.
The Discover Gillingham Day successfully demonstrated how strategic local government decisions, community partnership, and long-term planning create measurable benefits for residents - a model that other councils can learn from and adapt.
Congratulations to the elected members, Julie Hawkins and her very capable team at Gillingham Town Council - superb day!
Gillingham Town Data:
What is the Tax Base for Gillingham? 4,395.6
What is the Band D Equivalent? £255.68
What is the Annual Budget? £1,172,116
What is the Annual Precept? £1,123,850
Resources from the Discover Gillingham Day:
2025 05 09 Discover Gillingham Day Presentation
2025 05 09 Discover Gillingham Day Booklet
Helpful Links:
Gillingham Town Council Website
