Partnership working in Tidworth stretches back a long way, from an informal arrangement involving the Military, County, District and Parish Councils and others to the more formalised Tidworth Regeneration Partnership from the early 1990's. This partnership working has led to a variety of projects and community development work, including the Tidworth Employment Opportunities project (TEMPO).

In 1993 the Partnership commissioned the Shankland Cox study, intended to guide physical development and social policy until the end of the decade. In January 2000 the Tidworth Regeneration Partnership, as a result of a Single Regeneration Budget (SRB) Scheme (operated from 1997 to 2000), facilitated the formation of Tidworth Development Trust. Since its formation as a 'not-forprivate- profit' company, limited by guarantee, the Trust has taken responsibility for the TEMPO project and the community development work undertaken through the SRB Scheme. Both continue to thrive. In 2001 the Partnership commissioned consultants, Entec UK Ltd, to report on how Tidworth might develop in the first ten years of the 21st century, taking into account work resulting from the Shankland Cox study.

The Tidworth Community Area Partnership, of which Tidworth Development Trust is a member, has now replaced the Tidworth Regeneration Partnership and is in place to manage change and development across southeast Kennet - the Tidworth Community Area. It will take forward that which has been identified in the Entec study. Tidworth Development Trust has the more specific role of taking some of the Tidworth Community Area Partnership's proposals and making them happen. Its Board of Directors is drawn from County and District Councils, Town and Parish Councils, Chamber of Commerce, the Military Garrison, and from its membership. The Board and sixteen full and part-time staff have a wide range of commercial and project management experience.

The Trust is, or has been, involved in many aspects of development:

• Partner in the Tidworth Community Area Partnership

• Key participant in the Market & Coastal Towns initiative

• Partner in delivery of various projects

• Facilitating community consultation with the consultants, Entec, whose report describes some of the issues concerning Tidworth and the surrounding area

• Participating in community capacity building in Tidworth, through a community development worker and life-long learning activities

• Providing access to information, advice and guidance - in particular on employment, careers, training and childcare

• Partner in economic development in south-east Kennet, through various means, in partnership with Kennet District Council and Business Link Berkshire & Wiltshire

• Key partner in forming and sustaining Tidworth and District Chamber of Commerce

• Helping to form other Development Trusts, acting as a role model and transferring best practice

• A key contributor to policy development in areas such as early years care and education; life-long learning; information, advice and guidance

The Trust understands partnership working and is an active member of the national Development Trusts Association, with experience of working in a variety of funding environments - UK, European and commercial.