General Introduction
March 2009
Following a successful application by Western Somerset Local Action in Rural Communities (LARC) £2.25 million has been allocated to the local area in a project that runs until 2013.
The LARC are inviting applications for grants towards local projects that meet the relevant criteria.
The area includes the Quantock Hills AONB, the Sedgemoor Quantock Cluster, the whole administrative district of West Somerset, Wiveliscombe and the10 parishes, Minehead, Williton and Watchet.
Map of LARC area (pdf - boundary in purple)
The Programme will provide financial support for a wide range of activities including environmental stewardship, skills development, farming and forestry diversification, resource management, renewable energy supply chains and community-led development.
Below is a brief introduction to the project by Peter Greig, who has been elected onto the executive committee of the Local Action Group representing the Sedgemoor Cluster of Parishes.
What is LARC?
Local Action for Rural Communities (LARC) forms part of the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) framework for delivery of the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development 2007-2013.Local Action follows the ‘Leader’ approach as a community based delivery mechanism – this is an area specific, bottom up approach led by a local partnership. Its aim is to enable rural communities to diversify and strengthen their quality of life. It encourages co-operative working between other UK areas and trans-nationally.
Attached is a note (pdf) setting out the very basic detail of the strategic aims of the Western Somerset Local Action Group (LAG). I have been elected onto the executive committee of the LAG representing the Sedgemoor Cluster of Parishes. Following a successful competitive bid, our LAG has been allocated funds of £2.25 million for delivery of projects between 2009 and 2013. There are other neighbouring LAG's covering the Moors and Levels, the Blackdown Hills and another in North Devon.
Somerset County Council has contracted to act as the Accountable Body for this fund which means that they will be keeping the accounts and issuing contracts for delivery on behalf of the LAG.
Currently the LAG is finalising the detailed Development Plan, arranging the staffing and putting into place the necessary mechanisms to run the scheme. We will also have a website up and running as part of our communication plan, which will help to inform you all of the processes and progress of the scheme.
We had our first working meeting in December last year after the setting up and election of the Executive. In the future it will serve to appraise and approve projects as they come forward. The Executive Group currently meets monthly and we are happy to receive input from the wider LAG.
The plan has a stated vision of working towards a low carbon economy and therefore should attract a lot of interesting projects for potential support and funding. This region was chosen for economic assistance because of the rural deprivation, low skills levels and lower than average wages. In addition there are high CO2 emissions and higher energy costs which need to be addressed.
Peter Greig
Nether Stowey Parish Councillor
01278 732483
More information about the Rural Development Programme for England, putting this local project in context, can be found on the South West Regional Development Agency site.
