Gillingham
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Gillingham is the most northerly town in Dorset, located in the Blackmore Vale, and lies on the B3092 and B3081 in North Dorset, approximately four miles south of the A303 trunk road and five miles northwest of Shaftesbury. The town has a population of 11,968 and is one of the fastest-growing towns in the South West. Identified in the North Dorset Local Plan as a key location for development, Gillingham is expected to deliver at least 2,200 new dwellings during the current plan period to 2032.

Gillingham Town Council is a politically independent local council composed of eighteen elected councillors who represent six wards: Town North, Town South, Wyke, Ham, Milton-on-Stour and Rural. The Council is supported by a dedicated team of sixteen members of staff and manages an annual precept of £1,123,850 for the financial year 2025/26.

As part of its commitment to high standards in public service, Gillingham Town Council has signed the Civility and Respect Pledge, demonstrating its dedication to respectful, positive and inclusive working relationships between councillors, staff and the wider community

Gillingham Town Council is responsible for several areas of public open space which are maintained to a high standard and have achieved accreditation from both Green Flag and South West in Bloom Pride in Parks.

The Town Council declared itself a ‘Pollinator Friendly Town’ in 2017, and in 2018 was awarded a DEFRA Bees Needs Award. The council is responsible for 650 mature trees and since 2012 has nearly 800 trees.

The Town Council is responsible for various buildings including the town hall; the town cemetery and chapel; gardens; the closed churchyard at St Mary’s Parish Church; 18 play areas; 1 skatepark; 2 outdoor gyms and 1 outdoor table tennis facility; 2 war memorials; a speed indicator device; town centre CCTV; and 2 allotment sites.

Gillingham is a Dementia Friendly town and a very welcoming, friendly place to live with a wide variety of community groups.