Port of Dover Community Trust

The Bishop of Dover, the Right Reverend Trevor Willmott, has chaired the first meeting of community representatives who will work together in order to take forward the possible development of the Port of Dover Community Trust (PDCT).

Acknowledging at the outset the tensions that have existed within Dover over the future of the Port, the wide range of community representatives all agreed on one thing - if the PDCT becomes a reality then everyone must work together to ensure that the most disadvantaged in Dover's community can benefit.

With unanimous agreement that the key issue uniting everyone attending was the wellbeing of Dover, the Bishop described the size of the opportunity presented by the PDCT as "beyond our imagining".

Bishop Trevor said: "It was important to recognise the cynicism that has existed and to be realistic about the history surrounding the future of the Port. However, it was even more important to recognise the opportunity to serve Dover which the PDCT presents in a way which unites everyone in a common purpose - the wellbeing of Dover."

Representatives from the community and voluntary sector, education, health, business, local authorities, local amenity and interest groups, the faith sector and the Port itself, all concurred that disagreements must be put to one side in order that the PDCT can be constructed in the best possible way for Dover. All participants agreed to regularly meet again in the New Year so that work can continue on building a trusting and open relationship. It was also emphasised that the group would have an open door to those who also shared the same values and wished to see a PDCT that would serve Dover over the long term.

Bishop Trevor added: "It is right that the community should know that this broad group of key representatives met and that they are all agreed in playing their part to move the PDCT forward, not for any reason apart from the long term prosperity of Dover."