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Delivery of RDPE through Leader in the Northwest

Delivery through Local Action Groups (Leader)  
Using Local Action Groups to deliver EU rural funds has become known as the “LEADER” approach.    There is significant  experience of Leader in the North West.  This is a very successful way of enabling local people to make decisions on how funding is spent in their locality.   The NWDA has a history of working with sub-regional groups and wishes to continue this tradition, using existing skills and experience.   These Groups will be responsible for a wide range of activities, advice, training, collaboration for both land based and other rural businesses.  There are a number of groups across the region moving to towards delivering RDPE funds in this way.

The E.U requires a  process to select Local Action Groups. In the Northwest we have set up a Regional Selection Panel comprising; Forestry Commission, GONW, LSC, Natural England, NWRA, Environment Agency, NWDA and the Chair of the North West Rural Affairs Forum, who also acts as Chair of the Panel to review proposals. 

The Selection Panel have considered 17 Expressions of Interest.  Of these 8 Groups are developing Local Development Strategies.  It is expected that approx £25m of the programme will be delivered by Leader Groups. 

Two Cumbria Local Action Group Strategies have been approved by the NWDA.   These are the Fells & Dales and Solway, Borders and Eden Groups.  Each will receive funding of approx £7m between 2008 and 2013.   The next steps will be for them to appoint staff who will then start to develop projects to address specific needs within their area.

For details of their proposals please contact:

CUMBRIA
Fells & Dales – (includes parts of South Lakeland, Eden, Barrow, Copeland & Allerdale)
T:  01768 869533
E:  adrianB@fellsanddales.org.uk
Strategy approved August 2008  
Services Operational Spring 2009

Solway Border & Eden (includes parts of Eden, Carlisle, Allerdale & Copeland)
T:  01900 325922
E:  melanie@rstcumbria.org.uk
Strategy approved August 2008  
Services Operational Spring 2009

LANCASHIRE – overall contact Lancashire Economic Partnership – LEP  01254 300361 or email sbrown@lancashire-ep.org.uk
Pennine Lancashire -  (Ribble Valley, Pendle, Rossendale, Burnley, Hyndburn, & Rossendale  & Burnley Borough Councils) 
T: 01200 414503
E colin.hirst@ribblevalley.gov.uk
in early development
Services Operational Summer 2009

West Lancashire - (West Lancashire District Council,  Preston City Council,  South Ribble & Chorley Borough Councils
T: 01695 712623
E: steve.bretherton@westlancsdc.gov.uk
in early development 
Services Operational Autumn 2009

North Lancashire (Lancaster City Council, Wyre & Fylde Borough Councils) 
T: 01253 887617
E: cyost@wyrebc.gov.uk
in early development 
Services Operational Autumn 2009

MERSEYSIDE
Jonathan Jackson
T: 0151 4435590
E: Jonathan.jackson@knowsley.gov.uk
in
early development 
Services Operational Autumn 2009

CHESHIRE MARCHES (southern part of Chester City Council and Crewe & Nantwich Borough Council and some Districts within Shropshire )    (See below for all Cheshire)
T:  01244 402229 or 01948 667580
E:  d.boyce@chester.gov.uk
in early development 
Services Operational Autumn 2009

Read Leader Prospectus for the Northwest

Investing in England's Northwest (link opens in a new window)