Local government bigwig visits Weymouth

Dame Margaret Eaton, Chair of the Local Government Association (LGA), has made an official visit to Weymouth to find out how the county council is developing a number of groundbreaking projects.

Acclaimed work to support older people, preparations for Dorset’s 2012 Olympic events and the construction of Weymouth Relief Road all came under the spotlight during the visit.

Dame Margaret and Stephen Jones, programme director for the LGA were  greeted by the leader of the county council, Angus Campbell and chief executive, David Jenkins before meeting representatives from various projects including the new innovative ‘Total Place’ initiative. 

The project is an ambitious pilot programme aimed at improving services for older people, promoting healthy lifestyles and introducing new preventative measures to improve health and well-being.

It is a partnership project between a range of organisations in Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole including health trusts, local councils, police, fire and housing associations. The aim of the project is to make more efficient use of resources through closer working partnerships.

Dame Margaret also had an opportunity to meet staff and volunteers from the Partnerships for Older People Project (POPP) which helped Dorset gain a green flag from the Audit Commission last month for its success in engaging with older people and developing the services they need. 

Only 74 Green Flags were awarded nationally to areas that provide exceptional performance or innovation that others can learn from.

Council leader Angus Campbell said:  “We were delighted to welcome Dame Margaret and have the opportunity to showcase some of the pioneering projects underway in Dorset.

"The county council is committed to developing social care initiatives in the community and we are proud of our achievements to improve and develop services across the county. The visit also gave us an opportunity to discuss future plans, and how we can work closely with the LGA on a variety of projects and develop closer working relations.”

Dame Margaret was later given a tour of the construction site of Weymouth Relief Road where she was able to find out about the progress of the £87 million scheme to improve transport between Weymouth and Dorchester and to assist in realising the economic potential of the area.

The final stop before returning to London was a visit to the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy where she was greeted by Chief Executive John Tweed and given a tour of the Academy.  Dame Margaret welcomed the opportunity to find out how the county is gearing up for 2012 and have been awarded a Beacon status for the work in developing a legacy from the Olympic and Paralympic Games in partnership with Weymouth and Portland Borough Council and West Dorset District Council.

Dame Margaret said: “I was very pleased to have an opportunity to visit Dorset and see how the council is engaging in some really innovative projects.

"I enjoyed being able to meet council staff and also volunteers working for the ‘Partnerships for Older People’ project; its services are clearly making a real difference to the local community. 

"It is of great importance to the LGA that we can learn practical lessons from our member authorities, and help to promote good practice around the country.

"The preparation for the 2012 Games in Dorset is well underway, and seeing the investment being made in the infrastructure to support transport and the work to develop a legacy to benefit all was very rewarding. Working with local councils we are united in a common purpose – to deliver better services, increased value for money, and more innovative solutions for the people we are proud to serve."