The
new
LEADER approach will run from 2007 – 2013 and is the fourth
incarnation of this programme. The most recent initiative
LEADER+ was in operation from 2000 – 2006. There have been two
LEADER+ programmes in the East of England:
‘FensLeAP’ in
Cambridgeshire / Norfolk for the Fens and
‘Broads and
Rivers’ in Norfolk, covering large parts of the Broads National
Park area.
LEADER is not a separate fund but will be a delivery mechanism for
funding allocated to the
Rural
Development Programme for England (RDPE). Hence, it stretches
across RDPE’s three axes:
1. Improving the competitiveness of the agricultural and
forestry sector;
2. Improving the environment and countryside;
3. Improving the quality of life in rural areas and
diversification of the rural economy.
As LEADER is an integrated approach to sustainable rural
development, fully incorporating both socio-economic and
environmental activities it should address the following RDPE
themes for the East of England:
• business efficiency
• new markets and products
• new businesses and enterprises in the rural economy
• rural community capacity
• resource protection, conservation of the natural built and
historic environment, access and recreation
Individual LEADER initiatives will be organised around an
area-based local development strategy and implemented through a
dedicated local action group which will be comprised of public and
private partners. This is to ensure that the available funding is
delivered through a bottom-up approach. The local action group has
decision-making power and selects the projects to be financed under
the strategy through a grant-making process.
The benefit of the LEADER approach is to provide a financial
resource for projects ‘on the ground’ and to encourage the local
community and economy to work together and to build up networks. It
seeks to stimulate and identify new rural markets and business
opportunities and eventually to create jobs in the rural
sector.
The East of England
Development Agency (EEDA) is the responsible body for the
implementation of LEADER in the region. It will invite expressions
of interest for potential areas on 19th September. It is therefore
important to start thinking about potential areas and partnership
groups in Suffolk very soon. Successful area groups will then be
invited to submit a full application early next year. It is
expected that local action groups will start to deliver on the
ground spring/summer 2008.
The total annual budget for the East of England is ca. £3million,
whereas 50% of project funding must come from private sector
contributions. Proposed areas can cover a population of up to
150,000 people. EEDA expects between four and seven local action
groups in the East of England.
So far, there have been two meetings with a number of local
organisations and authorities in Suffolk to discuss the way
forward. The following regions and potential partners have been
identified:
Suffolk Coastal area
• Suffolk Coastal District Council
• Suffolk Coast and Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
(AONB)
• Suffolk ACRE
Waveney Valley / Southern Broads / High Suffolk
• Waveney District Council
• South Norfolk District Council
• Broads National Park Authority
• Mid Suffolk District Council
• Waveney Community Forum
Stour Valley / Haven Gateway
• Babergh District Council
• Suffolk Coastal District Council
• Haven Gateway Partnership
• Dedham Vale AONB
• Essex District Councils (e.g. Tendring, Braintree)
• St Edmundsbury District Council
Brecks
• Breckland District Council
• Forest Heath District Council
• The Brecks Partnership
• Forestry Commission
While a number of local stakeholders have already expressed
strong interest to be on one of the area working groups, it is
important to highlight that in order to submit strong expressions
of interest to EEDA, many more partners are needed. If you want to
be part of one of the local groups and or want to attend the next
meeting on 24th September please get in touch with:
john.mullen@suffolkcc.gov.uk,
frances.bedding@suffolkcc.gov.uk
or
gayle.mcandie@et.suffolkcc.gov.uk