Conference 19 March

A networking conference about LEADER was held on 19 March.

There were some real gems of what LEADER is about.

Dieter Wagner,information officer for the European Network for Rural Development Contact Point, (part of the Brussels machine) was one of the speakers. He said that the EU regulatory framework determines how projects are delivered. Local Communities, through the bottom up approach, determine what projects are delivered.
And on "innovation" - one of the frequently occurring words of the Rural Development Programme - he said "Everything that makes a difference is to be considered innovative."

Bottoms up for LEADER

What is characteristic about LEADER? The main feature of the programme is that it is supposed to be "bottom up". It assumes that local communities know best what works for them and they should decide on solutions, not consultants "helicoptered in" from outside.
What the programme is supposed to deliver is

• Increasing the ability of the target rural population to fully engage in their communities
• Improving access to facilities for the most isolated rural communities
• Enhancing social inclusion through recreational opportunities with a specific emphasis on young people
• Protecting and realising the full potential of the natural and built environment
  

LEADER assumes that local communities will know the best way of doing these things. The programme aims to spend just over £2million in rural Worcestershire communities between now and 2013.
The application for the funding will be appraised by Advantage West Midlands and we hope to have grants available soon. While we wait for approval, your community can be thinking about what would make a difference where you are

The story so far

The Leader programme provides the opportunity for money to support rural communities' development.
To enable this to happen in Worcestershire the County Council arranged a meeting of groups/organisations likely to be interested in delivering a programme. From that was formed a Worcestershire Local Action Group (LAG). That group is made up of:-

• Robert Barlow, Interim Chair, Agricultural and Rural Chaplain for the Diocese of Worcester
• Chris Brooks, Regeneration Manager Wychavon District Council
• Dave Cropp, Chair of Worcestershire County Association of Local Councils
• Paul Esrich, Manager, Malvern Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
  
• Joel Killer, Economic Development Officer, Malvern Hills District Council
• Serena Marshall, Worcestershire Young Farmers
• Steve Singleton, Economic Development & Tourism Manager, Wyre
  Forest District Council
• Catherine Smith, Community Liaison Officer, University of Worcester
• Richard Quallington, Chief Executive – Community First

It has been facilitated and supported by Worcestershire Count Council
The group has researched and consulted. On that basis it has been putting together a Development Strategy and Business Plan. The final draft is with LAG members for approval by the end of next week. It will then go to Advantage West Midlands, the Regional Development Agency that delivers the RDPE. After that, all being well, we launch the programme.