Lyme Regis Development Trust
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
About Lyme Regis Lyme Regis, "the pearl of Dorset" has become known nationally and international for its beautiful location on the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site, for its history and its importance in the development of earth sciences. Amongst many literary connections, Jane Austen set part of ‘Persuasion’ in the town and the Cobb and later John Fowles’ novel ‘The French Lieutenant’s Women’ was made into a famous film featuring the town, the Undercliff and Meryl Streep on The Cobb.
For a small town of 3,700 people, Lyme Regis is perhaps unique in boasting a theatre, a purpose built museum, a cinema, a library, a community IT centre and a restored working water mill. The town also has a vibrant year-round life of social, artistic and cultural activities A major project to protect the sea front from storms, rising seas and slipping cliffs was completed and opened by the Princess Royal in April 2007.
The Lyme Regis Development Trust The Trust is a community-based organisation that works to stimulate the economic, social and environmental well-being for all in Lyme Regis and its surrounding areas. It was set up in 1998 and aims to tackle some of the long-term problems that face the town and its surrounding areas. Behind the façade of this small, seaside town in a superb location lie many of the issues that face small seaside and rural communities throughout the country, such as very high house prices, low local wages, seasonal jobs and geographic isolation. Some Milestones The Trust’s objectives as stated in its articles and memorandum of association are: To promote general charitable purposes for the benefit of the community of Lyme Regis and the surrounding area, and to provide relief from poverty and disadvantage and to advance education of its residents of all ages; and in particular to provide opportunities for the aforementioned residents to participate fully in the life of their community in ways which address and alleviate social and economic deprivation. An independent review of the Trust in 2007 found that it “has had a significant impact on the well-being of Lyme Regis, bringing in significant financial resources, stimulating and supporting social and cultural activities and local organisations. It has played an important role in capitalising on the town’s human and physical resources. The Trust has been able mobilise and bring into Lyme Regis approximately Ł895,000 for community projects since it started”. The Trust is a registered charity and a limited
company and is governed by a board of trustees. The Trust is supported financially by the Lyme Regis Town Council, the West Dorset District Council, the South West Regional Development Agency and the Esmee Fairbairn Trust. With the help of The Government of The South West, the Trust has been able to purchase St. Michael’s Business Centre which functions as a community resource centre, as well housing space for the Town Council, the Citizens Advice Bureau and the Trust’s own offices.
The LRDT is one of about 350 Development Trusts in the UK, also known as regeneration agencies or community enterprise agencies, and is a member of the Development Trusts Association (DTA). LRDT Property Management Ltd In 2006 Lyme Regis Development Trust acquired St Michael’s Business Centre from WDDC as part of its sustainability programme. LRDT Property Management Ltd is a wholly owned subsidiary of LRDT and was set up to manage the property both maintaining the building and administrating the collection of rental and service charges. Any surplus revenue raised by LRDT Property Management Ltd is gifted to Lyme Regis Development Trust to help it reach its charitable objectives. Who Runs the Trust? The Trust is run by a board of voluntary trustees elected at each AGM. Co-opted trustees may become elected members of the board at the next AGM. The trustees are responsible for supporting and advising staff and ensuring that the Trust’s work is in line with its mandate and conforms to the legal requirements of charity, company and other legislation. Wendy
Davies (chair): I moved to Lyme in 2002 after retiring
from my job in senior voluntary sector management. That work
gave me a good grounding in disability awareness and equality
issues, voluntary sector management and strategic planning as
well as charity governance. Hearing that the Trust was looking
for trustees, I offered my services and I found myself nominated
as Chair in early 2007! My background in strategic planning
has been useful in helping develop the Community Plan with the
LymeForward Group and I retain a particular interest in disability,
accessibility, and equality issues. I'm still hoping for time
to take up some of my intended retirement activities. Martin Diplock: My background is as a general practice Chartered Surveyor having started as a trainee in an agricultural practice and, by a circuitous route via Hereford, moved to the West Country when I qualified as a Surveyor in 1978. I took up a post as equity partner for Lawrence Chartered Surveyors in Lyme Regis in 1980 and have been here ever since, ultimately setting up my own business in 1991 (Martin Diplock Chartered Surveyors). I joined the Trust a year or so ago as I have been particularly impressed with its influence within the town and many notable achievements. Whilst I do not have a huge amount of spare time, it is my hope that on occasion I can help with property related issuesDavid Matthews: In 1997 I ventured west from Geoffrey Mullis: I have a track record as a chief executive handling recovery and repositioning of businesses, acquisitions, disposals and deal negotiations with broad experience within medium sized engineering, distribution and service related businesses. My experience originated from a manufacturing accounting background and is combined with general management responsibilities linked to turn-round situations and managing change where the time available is in short supply.Since moving to Lyme Regis several years ago, I have looked for ways to directly support the local business community and see a way of achieving this from within the vibrant objectives of the Development Trust.
Peter Wiles: Having got the theatre bug at school and university, I worked as a stage and production manager in the late 1960s /early 1970s but then moved into international relief and development work, including working for Oxfam for 12 years. After a change of scene as deputy director for Child Poverty Action Group in London I returned to international work as a consultant in 1992 and I continue to work with aid and relief agencies on evaluations and reviews of their work. Jenny and I were lucky enough to be able to move to Lyme Regis in 2003 where I have also been developing my photographic work. After the 2005 AGM, I volunteered to carry out a review of the Trust. After finishing the report I was co-opted on to the board in early 2007.Staff
Marcus
Dixon (Chief Executive):
Diana Attenborough (Administrator for Lyme Regis
Development Trust and Facilities Manager of LRDT Property
Management): Diana has a strong background in office
management and provides part time administrative support for the
Trust and manages St Michael’s Business Centre.
Ellen Rooke (LAP Co-Ordinator): Ellen is working to progress the Lyme Forward Community Plan for facilitating meetings, supporting the members of the Local Area Partnership, raising public awareness an involvement.
St Michael’s Business Centre, Church Street,
Lyme Regis Dorset
Charity
no: 1075743
Company Registration No:
03501364
Web Design by Mary & Nomad 01297-444-882 |
