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Rural Community Councils. David Wood Regional Development Officer Contact: 01473 242500 or ruralactioneast@suffolkacre.org.uk. Agenda. Introduce RCCs Describe the work of RCCs Describe the role of the regional organisation Suggest areas of support for development of sport in rural areas.
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Rural Community Councils David Wood Regional Development Officer Contact: 01473 242500 or ruralactioneast@suffolkacre.org.uk
Agenda • Introduce RCCs • Describe the work of RCCs • Describe the role of the regional organisation • Suggest areas of support for development of sport in rural areas the regional voice for the rural community
Confusion Warning! • Rural Community Council or RCC is generic name for • ACRE (Action with Communities in Rural England) • Community Action • Community First • Rural Community Charity • Voluntary Action • Nothing to do with Local Authority Councils! the regional voice for the rural community
What are they? • Active in every English county • Existed for up to 70 years • Considerable knowledge and experience • Registered charity • Some have associated Trading Company • Work in partnership • Countryside Agency, EEDA, LA, GO, DEFRA, etc • Federated to national organisation ACRE: Action with Communities in Rural England the regional voice for the rural community
What do they do? • Help rural communities to help themselves • Improve quality of rural life by overcoming: • Physical isolation – lack of basic services • Social isolation – lack of leisure & social services • Lack of affordable housing • Lack of (well paid) jobs • Lack of public transport the regional voice for the rural community
Core Activities #1 Community & Social Inclusion • Village hall management, maintenance, improvements • Advice on legislation • Training to individuals & groups • Courses, resource centres, literature, magazines, leaflets • Organisation of conferences & workshops • Caring for people • Good neighbour schemes, childcare groups, clubs for elderly, etc the regional voice for the rural community
Core Activities #2 Rural Economy & Regeneration • Market Town Initiative • Support to town partnerships, specialist advice • Provision of ICT skills & knowledge • Support for Community or Social Enterprises • Business plans, marketing, legislation, accounting • Farming Diversification • Schools links, farmers’ markets, tourism the regional voice for the rural community
Core Activities #3 Environment & Sustainable Development • Community Action (Parish) Plans • Consultation, analysis, planning projects • Transport • Rural Transport Partnerships, Kick-start, Community buses, brokerage, voucher schemes • Affordable housing developments • Countryside Agency & Housing Corporation the regional voice for the rural community
Rural Action East – Why? • Umbrella independent charity for all six county RCCs in ER • Response to political regionalisation policy • Provide interface to new regional agencies & govt bodies • Achieve critical mass – size matters • Collaborative regional & sub-regional projects • Share experiences & knowledge the regional voice for the rural community
Rural Action East – Role • Advocacy for the rural community • Partner regional government agencies • Research & policy definition • Influence rural programmes & their delivery • Regional projects • Exploit dispersed knowledge & expertise • Partner with other members of Voluntary & Community Sector • Internal development • Share best practice the regional voice for the rural community
County Support for Rural Sport • Identify need & priorities • Parish Plans: full community involvement & support • Work with community groups: youth, child, elderly, etc • Action Plan for improvement projects, recognition of role of sport • Funding • Signposting sources of funds • Liaison with Sports Development Officers & LA Sports & Leisure • Assistance with applications • Links to Playing Fields Association • Hosted & administered by RCCs • Joint county workshops • Publicity/marketing • Importance of role of sport in communities the regional voice for the rural community
Regional Support for Rural Sport Collaborative Projects • Research the state of sports facilities in rural areas • Identify action for development of rural sport in the region • Jointly bid for implementation project the regional voice for the rural community
Summary Rural Community Councils • Offer extensive & informed network actively engaged with rural communities • Provide channel for sport to be recognised in community plans • Support development of action plans • Assist in means to deliver sporting aspirations, eg projects & their funding the regional voice for the rural community
Contacts • Bedfordshire Rural Communities Charity • www.bedsrcc.org.uk or 01234 838771 • Cambridgeshire ACRE • www.cambsacre.org.uk or 01353 860850 • Rural Community Council of Essex • www.essexrcc.org.uk or 01245 352046 • Community Development Agency for Hertfordshire • www.cdaforherts.org.uk or 01707 695500 • Norfolk rural Community Council • www.norfolkrcc.org.uk or 01953 851408 • Suffolk ACRE • www.suffolkacre.org.uk or 01473 242500 the regional voice for the rural community