NORTH WESSEX DOWNS LEADER GRANT PROGRAMME
RURAL DEVELOPMENT PRIORITIES FOR 2015-2020
HAVE YOUR SAY!
The LEADER Programme is a bottom-up, community-led approach to the delivery of Rural Development Programmefor England (RDPE) funds. The planning, decision making and implementation is done at a local level, carried out by a Local Action Group (LAG) which is made up of private, public and community sector volunteers with a wide range of experience and knowledge of local rural issues.At the moment there are 64 LAGs across the country.
The North Wessex Downs LAG’s main aim is to help improve life in rural areas by supporting innovative and sustainable businesses and community projects. The area currently covered is the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty – this encompasses part of Wiltshire, part of West Berkshire and a little of both north Hampshire and south Oxfordshire. Over the last 5 years we have had a budget of £1.419m to support micro-enterprise creation and development, farm modernisation and diversification, forestry, tourism, community and heritage. Lots of information about the sorts of projects we have funded, a map of the area and our latest news can be found on our website:
The 2007-13 LEADER programme closed at the end of 2013 but the LAG has secured funding from Defra, Wiltshire Council and the AONB Partnership for 2014 which will allow it to develop a new Local Development Strategy and make a bid for funding for the next Rural Development Programme period - 2015-2020. As such we need to think about what our objectives and investment priorities should be for the next 7-8 years.
We are asking for the views of as many people, community groups, rural networks, local businesses and public bodies as possible and there are three ways to have your say:
-Fill in our short survey below(also available on the website) – we have listed the priorities for investment as we see them based on initial discussions with various networks and interest groups and from our experience of running a programme over the last 5 years. They also take in to consideration the priorities which the Government and Defra have indicated for LEADER during 2015-2020.
Please take a few minutes to think about the priorities and tell us which are most important to you.
-Come to one of ourinformal consultationmeetings– We have three planned - at Hampstead Norreys (24th April), Marlborough (7th May) and Vernham Dean (12th May). Please let us know if you are interested in attending by completing the registration form or by telephoning us on 01488 680458 to book your space.
-Or give us a call – If you are looking to create or expand a business or have a good community project idea and think the funding could help you please get in touch.
Many thanks!
NORTH WESSEX DOWNS LEADER GRANT PROGRAMME
RURAL DEVELOPMENT INVESTMENT PRIORITIES
2015-2020
Please mark the appropriate box in each case:
Priority sector / theme / Examples / How important?Extremely / Very / Moderately / Slightly / Not at all
Farming / sustainable agriculture / Supporting farm diversification (e.g. holiday lets, business rental space, on-farm renewableenergy projects).
Supporting improved farm productivity / modernisation (e.g. funding the introduction of new technologies).
Supporting the development of local markets for local food and drink products.
Tourism / Supporting tourism businesses to promote the unique offer of the North Wessex Downs area.
Encouraging collaborative projects to enhance the visitor experience.
Conserving rural cultural activities and heritage sites.
Micro and small businesses / Helping to provide small-scale, flexible start-up office space or business premises.
Providing financial support to grow and develop traditional rural businesses and otherslocated in rural areas.
Supporting business management and financial planning skills.
Forestry / Supporting the acquisition of forestry equipment and technology.
Helping to develop local supply chains and networks for biomass and wood-fuel.
Rural services / connectivity / Improving broadband and mobile access.
Supporting projects to improve transport options and access to basic services.
Supporting the conversion / development of community buildings to create multi-functional facilities and “social hubs”.
Are there any other priorities important to you that we have not listed? If so, please explain here:
If you are happy to do so, please give us your details. This will help us understand which priorities are important to which groups of people and from which part of the North Wessex Downs.
Name:Location (e.g. village / town): / Postcode:
Particular interest / organisation / community group / business / occupation if relevant (e.g farmer, business owner etc):
Preferred contact details:
(Address / Email / Telephone)
Would you like to find out more or become involved with the work of the Local Action Group? / Yes / No (please circle)
Please complete the survey ON LINE via the website and return it BY EMAIL to Dawn Hamblin, NWD LEADER Programme Manager orSEND IT to Dawn at:Unit 3-4, Denford Manor, Lower Denford, Hungerford, Berkshire, RG17 0UN.
If you would like more information please call Dawn on 01488 680458.
CLOSING DATE FOR RESPONSES IS 11th May 2014 – THANK YOU
North Wessex Downs LEADER Local Action Group STAKEHOLDER SURVEY MARCH / APRIL 2014