Signpost March 2007
From Norfolk RCC
What our readers thought
Thanks to all those people who read and commented on our first issue of Signpost in this format.
We are glad that you find this format easier to read and handle and like our ability to communicate more quickly via e-mail.
Please keep sending us your views and opinions on rural issues that affect you or your communities as well as any suggestions on possible improvements to this publication.
Please pass this E-newsletter on to others who might find it useful.
You can contact us by e-mailing nrcc@norfolkrcc.org.uk
How can you “Support your local economy”
NRCC has organised a Council Meeting (open to members and non-members) aimed at encouraging and helping people to support their local economy. On Wednesday 28th March 2007 from 6.30am to 9pm in the Nelson Room at Hempnall Village Hall, visitors will be treated to a light buffet of local produce, followed by presentations from:
- Jane Taylor, Produced in Norfolk
- Tully Wakeman, East Anglia Food Link
- Peter Smith, discussing the new idea of Community Hubs being promoted by the NRCC
- Geoffrey Leigh, sharing ideas of ways individuals and organisations can actively support and promote the use of local produce and business sustainability.
For catering purposes please let me know if you will be attending by calling 01362 698216 or e-mail mary@norfolkrcc.org.uk
Funding available through Fens LEADER+
Community LEADER grants are available from £250 to £5,000. Project costs under £2,000 can be 100% funded by LEADER+ and volunteer time can be used as match funding.
LEADER will support projects which seek to improve quality of life in rural areas in West Norfolk parishes in the Fens.
To find out more contact the LEADER+ team, Vicki on 07981 642171, Marianne on 01353 865047, e-mail Leader@cambsacre.org.uk or visit www.fens-leader.org.uk
Local Network Fund (LNF) has £500,000 to give away
Last year, NRCC distributed more that half a million pounds of LNF grants to over 100 voluntary and community groups working with children and young people across Norfolk. Groups and Projects ranged from pre-school groups to youth clubs and sports, drama and music groups.
From April to December 2007 we have another £500,000 to allocate in the final year for the LNF. The LNF is aimed at enabling communities to provide projects and activities for children with limited opportunities or access to facilities or services that many young people take for granted.
To find out the deadlines for applications and see whether your group or project could be eligible contact the LNF team at the NRCC. Application packs are available from the call centre on 0845 1130161.
Grants up to £1500 available for small community projects in your area
NRCC’s Rural Projects Fund now has grants available for a maximum of £1500 to cover up to 75% of total project costs.
If your project benefits your local community and you can demonstrate that local consultation has taken place you may be eligible. Only 25% Match Funding is required.
The fund has already supported Play Areas and the purchase of Play Equipment, Parish Plans, Leaflets, information packs for local visitors, Information Boards and Signs, improvements to Wildlife Areas, Bus Shelters, Art Exhibitions, Local History Groups and much more.
For more information and an application form please contact Pauline on 01362 698216 or email pauline@norfolkrcc.org.uk
Networking in West Norfolk
NRCC’s Vicki Howling and King’s Lynn and West Norfolk Borough Council’s Jackie Squires have joined forces to provide community groups in West Norfolk with the opportunity to Network.
Open to any group or individual working or volunteering in the Fens area, these meetings help to share information, local news, and information on events, training and funding opportunities.
Meetings are arranged throughout the area, the next one will be at Tilney St Lawrence Village Hall on Thursday 29th March 4pm – 6pm.
For more information and to find out when they are in your area contact Vicki on 07981 642171 or e-mail vicki@norfolkrcc.org.uk
Biffaward funding rules have changed
Funding of up to £50,000 per project is available via the Biffaward Landfill Community Fund Main Grant Scheme.
Funding is available to provide or improve public amenities that will result in projects that are of lasting environmental benefit, improve quality of life and foster ‘vibrant communities’. Projects are assessed for the level of innovation, community benefit and involvement.
Funding for Biodiversity projects is also available and Biffaward have recently made the following changes to their funding of Biodiversity projects:
Biffa have increased the distance of Biodiversity sites to their Biffa sites, therefore any Biodiversity project needs to be within 25 miles of a Biffa site BUT still has to be within 10 miles of a landfill site.
Applications for biodiversity projects can be multi-site; however they can only be single species or habitat which is a complete reversal of the criteria we have been working with so far. New guidance will be available from early next year, however, in the meantime, if you would like to make an application our Funding Officer will check the eligibility of your project with ENTRUST first.
Examples of projects that have been funded under this scheme and further details can be found at http://www.biffaward.org/projects/biodiversity.php
Active Spaces for Active Communities
Rural Action East has gained funding from Capacitybuilders for a regional project on the use in rural communities of playing-fields and other green spaces for physical activities. Playing fields are often an important aspect of village life and used for many regular sports club and occasional community events. This project will develop ideas to enable provision of playing fields, increase their use and improve support to communities.
Working through the regional network of Rural Community Councils, including Norfolk RCC, Rural Action East will survey the number and state of village playing fields. The work will link with the Play and Activity Strategies being developed across the region. The project will consider what help communities need to manage their playing fields, develop support material and run training sessions for villagers. The project will start in February 2007 and run until March 2008.
An important aspect will be to secure long term provision and use by the community. The project is supported by the National Playing Fields Association and we shall be working in partnership with local County Playing Fields Associations to get the best out of the funding.
NRCC Management Update
NRCC Management team has changed to reflect the recent growth of the organisation and the work we want to achieve in the coming year.
John Dixon, Chief Executive Officer, leads a team of Geoffrey Leigh, External Relations Manager, Veronica Savage, Delivery Manager, Mary Codling, Resources Manager and Roger Canwell, Finance Manager.
Three team leaders have been appointed to support staff in their delivery of services to rural communities, these are Jo Maddocks for Local Network Fund, Jonathan Clemo for Community Development and Janice Howell for Rural Social and Community Programme.
Rural Services Survey 2007
During March 2007 parish council clerks will receive a questionnaire from Norfolk Rural Community Council about services in their parish. Those clerks with long memories may recall NRCC carried out previous surveys for the Rural Development Commission. The last survey was in 1997.
Ten years on we feel that it is a good time to see how things have changed in our rural communities. We know that some services have declined or even disappeared. This survey will provide us with the facts and figures. That information is valuable to NRCC in our lobbying and work to maintain local services, and to policy makers in Norfolk, at district council and county council level.
We are only asking clerks of parishes under 5,000 in population to complete the survey, which will be either a paper survey or on-line. The last time we had an 82% return and we would like to equal that this time.
As ever, we are relying on the good offices of parish clerks most of whom are busy people. We hope that you will feel that this survey is worthwhile and something with which you are prepared to help: helping not only NRCC but the future of Norfolk’s rural communities.
Improved Access to Services Survey
What would happen if you could not get to a shop?
What if you were unable to drive your car?
Is it a pain to access health services?
Would local provision of Information Technology improve your daily life?
Is the distance or travel time to work or training stopping you from fulfilling your potential?
Do you have a group of 7-10 people in your parish or local interest group, who would take part in an Access Needs Survey? If so, please contact Margrete Thorsen-Moore at NRCC or e-mail margrete@norfolkrcc.org.uk
