The Dorchester Area Community Partnership was set up in 2002 with the aim of working together to improve the quality of life within the area - working with the local community and the service providers.
The Partnership covers Dorchester and 49 surrounding parishes and villages. From Frome St Quinton to the North East, across to Minterne Magna to the North, Melcombe Horsey to the North West, following the boundaries with East Dorset and Purbeck to the East and down to the boundary with Weymouth and Portland to the South, joining up again with Fleet and Portesham to the South West and including Long Bredy and Litton Cheney to the West.
The Partnership has a Steering Group which consists of representatives from Dorchester Town Council, West Dorset District Council, Dorset County Council, local parish councils and a variety of community and representative organisations.
The Partnership's first Action Plan was adopted in 2003. It provided a focus for activity within Dorchester and the surrounding area and many of the original action points have been addressed during the past five years. Many aspects of life in and around the Dorchester area over recent years have raised new issues and in December 2007 the Partnership embarked on a further round of consultations to identify and address them by creating a new Action Plan for the next three years.
The specific actions and targets in the Action Plan were formulated after discussion amongst the members of the Partnership and the seeking of expert advice. The intention is to bring together into one document actions that will create a comprehensive forward plan for the area. This will help us think and act strategically and make the best possible use of the resources available. Our vision is that Dorchester should continue to develop as a thriving and vibrant town, which supports the lively and sustainable villages in the surrounding area.
The new 2009 - 2012 Dorchester Area Community Plan was launched on 24th March, 2009 and a copy of the plan can be downloaded by clicking here.
If you are interested in this Action Plan and want to get involved and help make a difference in your community you can contact the Partnership's community worker, Pauline Trimming, on 01305 266861 or click here to email Pauline.