Rural Development Programme for England – Social and Community Priorities (LEADER)

1. Rural Development Programme for England – Social and Community Priorities (LEADER) Aamir Kayani

2. Presentation • Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) – Overview • RDPE – Social & Community Measures • What is LEADER? • LEADER in West Midlands • LEADER in Worcestershire – Thriving and Sustainable Rural Communities • Local Development Strategy • Process • Target Area • Vision • Specific Objectives & Activities • Delivery • Conclusion

3. RDPE - Overview • Runs 2007 – 2013 • Jointly funded by EU and UK Government • 3 core objectives • Making agriculture more competitive and sustainable (Axis 1) • Safeguarding and enhancing the rural environment (Axis 2) • Enhancing opportunities in rural areas (Axis 3) • LEADER ‘approach’ as Axis 4 • In the West Midlands, AWM has a budget of £53 million to deliver Axes 1 & 3 – the social and economic development elements of the RDPE • LEADER – £10.22 Million for West Midlands

4. Rural Development Programme in the WM- Axes 1 & 3 “By 2013 rural businesses in the West Midlands will be more sustainable, competitive and better connected to their markets, active management will have improved the rural environment and rural communities will have a better quality of life.” Vision Develop diverse, competitive and sustainable rural businesses that are better connected to their markets Capitalise on low carbon opportunities Maximise cultural offer and natural assets Invest in high value skills and employability of the rural workforce Develop more sustainable rural communities Strategic Objectives Environmental Technologies Livestock Tourism Communities/Leader Food and Drink • Sustainable tourism • Environmental • improvements • Food tourism • e- tourism • Places to meet, ‘recreate’ • and communicate • Inclusive and participative • governance • Develop and maintain • voluntary • groups and activities • Positive culture of • enterprise and • economic purpose • Access to ‘fit for purpose’ • housing • Skills, training and • knowledge transfer • Supply chain development • Competitiveness • Trade and consumer • awareness • Environmental goods and services • Support innovation • New markets • Networking • Training and Skills • Sites and premises Knowledge transfer Efficient production Improve livestock quality Promote best practice Promote understanding of Environmental Legislation Animal health and welfare Environmental Economy Collaboration Supply chain development Reconnection with markets Modernisation Knowledge transfer Meeting market specification Training and skills ICT Innovative products and services Cross cutting themes RDPE 2007-2013

5. RDPE – Social & Community Measures • Basic Services (Measure 321) • Village renewal and development (Measure 322) • Conservation and upgrading of rural heritage (Measure 323) • Training (Measure 331)

6. What is LEADER? • ‘Liaison Entre Actions de Développement de l'ÉconomieRurale’ • Community Initiative funded through Structural Funds • LEADER 1, LEADER II and LEADER + (Worcestershire was never eligible under these programmes) • Address Social and Community Issues in West Midlands’ Rural Areas • A mechanism to deliver RDPE not a programme in its own right • Minimum 5% of RDPE delivered by LEADER approach • 20% in the West Midlands

7. LEADER in West Midlands • Total allocation of £10,220,000 • £2,044,000 for each Axis 3 Measure • £2,044,000 for total Axis 4 Measures • Matched funding required for Measure 331 • All other measures have maximum aid intensity of 100% • Eligible match include cash or in kind from public, private and voluntary sectors

8. LEADER in Worcestershire “Thriving and Sustainable Rural Communities”

9. Progress to date • EOI submitted in December 2007 to access £1.5 million • Successful and invited to submit Local Development Strategy by AWM • Worcestershire County Council is the accountable body for the LEADER • The Decision Making Body for LEADER is a public-private-community partnership known as a Local Action Group (LAG) • Local Development Strategy (LDS) and Business Plan submitted to AWM on 31st March 2009 • LDS and Business Plan Approved by RDPE Management Board. • Contract with AWM signed on 1 September 2009 – Delivery would commence in next month or so.

10. Worcestershire LEADER Local Development Strategy (LDS)

11. LDS Development – Process • Desktop research – Economic, Social and Environmental context • Consultation Process • Stakeholder Consultation • Community Consultation • Focus Groups for ‘hard to reach groups’ facilitated by a private consultant: • Young People • Older people • Travellers • Women • Migrant Workers • Review of existing Parish Plans

12. Worcestershire LDS Vision “By 2013 create vibrant, inclusive and connected local communities delivering innovative and sustainable solutions to social and environmental challenges that enhance individual and community well being”

13. Worcestershire LDS – Target Area

14. LDS – Objectives and Activities

15. Worcestershire Partnership Board Overviewand assurance Economy and Transport Theme Group Endorsement and information role Local Action Group (LAG) Decision making body and overall management ACCOUNTABLE BODY (WCC) Finance, legal and administrative support PROJECT APPRAISAL PANEL Minimum of 3 appraisals from independent representatives for each proposal/commission above £5,000 in total and minimum of 1 below £5,000 in total LEADER PROGRAMME TEAM Day to day project development, monitoring and reporting Worcestershire LEADER – Delivery

16. Your Involvement • Suggestions: • projects • Projects’ Leads • Events and exhibition for wider audience • Referral to interested groups / organisations

17. Conclusion Q & A

18. Worcestershire LEADER - Contacts Aamir Kayani Strategy & Policy Officer Email: Akayani@worcestershire.gov.uk Susan Crow Economic Regeneration officer Email: Scrow@worcestershire.gov.uk Elspeth Fry LEADER Project Coordinator Email: efry@worcestershire.gov.uk