| This newsletter takes a look at the activities of the South West England RDA during the period May to July 2008. |
 Welcome to the latest update on the Agency’s work in Bournemouth, Dorset, Poole, Swindon and Wiltshire.
As you may be aware, the Agency is undergoing a major re-structuring programme which is having a significant effect on the area teams. This restructure has two major drivers: the Comprehensive Spending Review and the Agency’s budget for 2008-11 and the Sub-National Review of Economic Development and Regeneration. As an Agency and an area team our focus will be squarely on delivering, with partners, the Regional Economic strategy and our Corporate Plan priorities.
One of our top priorities, as stated in our corporate plan (2008-2011), is to drive the transformation towards a low-carbon resource-efficient economy in South West England. At Osprey Quay in Dorset we have taken a major step forward with the appointment of Poundbury-based sustainable development company Zero C to build new ‘green’ housing as part of the wider development.
Also at Osprey Quay, Sunseeker International, the renowned UK marine company, has received planning permission for a major new development, providing them with fit-for-purpose facilities their base at Osprey Quay. This will be an important step towards creating significant numbers of new jobs in the future.
One of our other priorities is to focus our attention on unlocking the economic potential of the region’s priority places – including Bournemouth-Poole and Swindon in this sub-region.
We have been working closely with Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole to develop a Multi Area Agreement and on July 14 this was one of the first such agreements signed up to by the Government. It sets an ambitious economic growth target and a programme of activities related to business growth, skills, transport and the environment.
In Swindon, the Agency has pledged a further £2 million towards public realm works to connect the Union Square regeneration area with the existing shopping centre. This should help to catalyse a major regeneration of the town centre.
And at Stonehenge, English Heritage has begun a public consultation on options to deliver a better visitor experience. The Agency has been part of the steering group helping to develop this work.
We hope you enjoy reading this issue. If you would like to find out more about the work of the South West RDA the area, please don’t hesitate to contact me or a member of my team on 0117 933 0200 or 01202 649282.
Tony Bray
Area Director
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The South West RDA is changing
Our Corporate Plan sets out our ambitions and plans for 2008-2011. The Government’s Sub-National Review of Economic Development and Regeneration (SNR) signals major changes in our strategic role during this period, with a new remit (subject to legislation) to lead the preparation of a Single Regional Strategy, and a focus on greater delegation to local and other partners where appropriate.
At the same time, our financial settlement in last year’s Comprehensive Spending Review requires us to make significant savings in our running costs over the next three years. Since by far the largest single element in our running cost budget is staff, this means reducing our staffing complement.
Over recent months we have been reviewing the balance of our activities in the light of the challenges above, and the feedback from the National Audit Office’s independent performance assessment of the Agency in 2006. This review has led us to the conclusion that we must refocus our energies on the priorities in our new Corporate Plan; scale down, over time, our portfolio of projects and concentrate on fewer strategic projects of regional or sub-regional significance; and prepare for the additional responsibilities for regional planning and strategy development as presaged in the SNR.
We are formally consulting staff on changes to the organisation to put this into effect and anticipate a number of key changes, namely:
• A reduction in the size of the Agency – we envisage losing some 50 posts over the course of this year, from a current establishment of around 390.
• A greater focus on business relations, international business, work on low carbon initiatives and renewable energy.
• Our Area Directors will remain our key interface with localities, but the teams directly reporting to them will reduce in size. They will be supported by multi-functional ‘commissioning teams’ from across the Agency.
• There will be a shift, over time, from the present position where the Agency funds and monitors many hundreds of projects towards a more focused approach to investment - spatially and thematically - working through longer-term programmes in partnership with others to deliver real economic change and growth.
We intend to honour existing commitments, and plan to establish a legacy programme team to assist in the completion and closure of many of these.
The impact of these changes will take some time to work through, but will begin to be felt during the summer. Your support and understanding during what will inevitably be an unsettling time of transition for our staff would be greatly appreciated.
Union Square ready to connect
The Agency has pledged a further £2 million towards public realm works to connect the Union Square regeneration area with the existing shopping centre.
The regrading of Fleming Way will pave the way for the development of a new bus interchange and help to trigger the first phase of a 160,000 square metre mixed use development by MUSE.
For more information contact Peter Wynn at peter.wynn@southwestrda.org.uk
Zero C to deliver green community at Osprey Quay
Poundbury-based sustainable development company Zero C has been appointed by our Agency to build a new ‘green’ homes at Osprey Quay, Portland.
The 4.61 acre site at Officer’s Field, adjoining Victoria Square, will be redeveloped to include 55 new eco-homes complete with the latest environmentally friendly technology.
An existing football pitch will be retained and Zero C will work with us to re-invest up to £500,000 to improve local leisure and community facilities, and an area of nearby land that we own is being safeguarded for community use.
The project will be constructed to the highest sustainable standards and aims to generate at least 50 per cent of its energy from renewable sources. Buildings will be super-insulated and a combined district heat and power scheme will be installed using a biomass boiler. Two electric cars will also be available for residents to use on a pooled basis to discourage second-car usage.
We are committed to making all our investments net zero-carbon by 2013 and this project is a very important step in the wider development of a low-carbon economy in the South West.
Kim Slowe, Managing Director of Zero C said: “We are delighted to have been chosen to work with the South West RDA, local partners and the local community to deliver this exciting, groundbreaking package of new homes for sale and rent that embrace sustainability at every level.”
Local people will be able to see and comment upon design concepts at a public exhibition and consultation exercise in Portland in September. The scheme should be completed by 2011.
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| Regional |
Corporate Plan approval
The Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) has approved our Corporate Plan 2008-11. Read the full article |
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Sub National Review
We have responded to the Government's consultation on the Sub National Review (SNR), re-affirming its potential to strengthen the approach to sustainable economic development but saying there are some inherent risks and challenges that need to be addressed. Read the full article |
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Renewable Energy Strategy Consultation
The Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform is consulting over the summer on how the UK can massively increase the uptake of renewable energy over the next 12 years. Read the full article |
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Wave Hub
Construction of the world’s first large scale wave energy farm off Cornwall’s north coast has moved a step closer as we seek to recruit a company to manage the procurement and installation of Wave Hub. Read the full article |
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Learning from Rural Delivery
The five-year Rural Renaissance initiative funded by the RDA came under scrutiny at a Learning from Rural Delivery conference in Somerset in July. Read the full article |
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Climate change offers business opportunities
Companies will need to radically change the way they do business to meet the challenges of climate change and other pressures according to research commissioned by our Agency. Read the full article |
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| Bournemouth, Dorset & Poole |
RDA backs Government’s plan to build a greener future
The construction industry in Dorset is set to reduce its carbon footprint as a result of a new ‘Sustainable Construction Strategy’, launched in June. Read the full article |
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Sunseeker expansion plans approved
Sunseeker International, the renowned UK marine company has received planning permission for a major expansion of facilities at their base at Osprey Quay. Read the full article |
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RDA welcomes new economic blueprint for Bournemouth, Poole and Dorset
In July, the Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole Multi area agreement was signed by Government and Council leaders in a ceremony in Whitehall. Read the full article |
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Go-ahead for £30 million Portland development
The regeneration of Osprey Quay on Portland took another major step forward in April when planners gave conditional approval to a £30 million tourism and leisure development.
. Read the full article |
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| Wiltshire & Swindon |
Report highlights Swindon’s economic strength
Research commissioned by our Agency and The New Swindon Company predicts a bright future for Swindon. Read the full article |
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Wiltshire and Swindon Local Area Agreements are signed off
The Local Area Agreements (LAAs) for Swindon and Wiltshire have been signed off by Government. Read the full article |
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Step forward for university campus in Swindon
A business plan is being developed by the University of the West of England (UWE) and other partners to build a new university campus in Swindon. Read the full article |
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Employment land reviews in Wiltshire and Swindon
The Agency and its partners are commissioning research to assess employment land provision in Swindon and Wiltshire and the prospects and needs for the future. Read the full article |
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Swindon Vision goes out to tender
A project to create a vision for the wider borough of Swindon has gone out to tender. Read the full article |
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Fifteen rural areas share £33 million funding
Fifteen rural partnerships across South West England have been awarded significant funding from the Local Action fund for rural communities. Read the full article |
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Stonehenge visitor centre plans – open for debate
English Heritage has begun a public consultation on options to deliver a better visitor experience at Stonehenge. Read the full article |
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BBC Big Screen launched at Swindon’s Wharf Green
Swindon became the first place in the south of England to have its own giant open air screen earlier this year. Read the full article |
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| | Regional |
| Corporate Plan approval |
In approving our Corporate Plan 2008-11, the Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) has given us the following key messages:
• It recognises that the next three years will be an important period for us in preparing for an increased role in regional planning and increased commitment to partnership working with local authorities.
• The Business Support Simplification agenda provides the RDA with a significant opportunity to clarify our business support proposition for the region and to help deliver the 'Go-Live' timetable.
• On skills, the government would like us to commit to promoting 'train to gain' to employers and promoting skills attainment at all levels.
• We have important lead roles to fulfil as the lead RDA nationally for Aerospace and liaison with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (particularly on the ten-year-action plan for tourism and the 2012 legacy strategy).
If you have any questions about the Corporate Plan please e-mail corporateplan@southwestrda.org.uk
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| Sub National Review |
We have responded to the Government's consultation on the Sub National Review (SNR), re-affirming its potential to strengthen the approach to sustainable economic development but saying there are some inherent risks and challenges that need to be addressed. These include:
• The risk of diverting the focus for RDAs away from our primary role in sustainable economic development;
• That some of the advantages associated with RDAs as business-led Non-Departmental Public Bodies could be lost or compromised;
• How to manage the inherent conflict of interest from the range of roles that local authorities would have, which involves both developing and signing off the Single Regional Strategy, a role in implementation, delegation from RDA budgets, and scrutiny of the RDA’s performance;
• Ensuring that the new regional strategy, which will be signed off by local authorities, is genuinely strategic and identifies clear regional priorities, and does not simply become a lowest common denominator summary of all local priorities
Our view is that business is critical to the success of SNR, yet this is underplayed throughout the review. Moreover, we suggest that the government identifies how growth within environmental limits will be measured.
We have also contributed to a regional response to the SNR consultation document with the Regional Assembly and SWLGA, and to the cross-RDA response.
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| Renewable Energy Strategy Consultation |
The Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform is consulting over the summer on how the UK can massively increase the uptake of renewable energy over the next 12 years.
The Government’s proposals for a new UK Renewable Energy Strategy are designed to help the UK meet the EU target of generating 15 per cent of energy (transport, heat and electricity) from renewables by 2020 – a massive challenge given that the UK renewables contribution currently is around 1.5%.
Whilst this represents a big challenge it is also a great business opportunity, especially for our region. Even in the absence of such challenging targets, the contribution of the renewable energy sector to the South West economy has grown from £34m a year in 2005 to £215 million today, and has seen a massive 37% year-on-year growth in employment over the same period.
BERR estimates that its proposals could lead to up to 160,000 new jobs, and we should be well placed to win our fair share of these.
With this in mind we, and Regen SW www.regensw.co.uk, are carrying out some analysis to consider what the new targets might mean for the region and highlight the scale of change needed to achieve these ambitions, given the step change it represents for expectations of renewable energy.
We intend the findings to be disseminated across the region in early September to inform other responses to the consultation.
Further information, including the consultation document itself, can be found on the BERR website at http://www.renewableconsultation.berr.gov.uk
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| Wave Hub |
Construction of the world’s first large scale wave energy farm off Cornwall’s north coast has moved a step closer as we seek to recruit a company to manage the procurement and installation of Wave Hub.
The successful company will have extensive experience in offshore engineering and an appointment is likely to be made in the autumn, paving the way for detailed contracts to be placed in spring 2009.
Wave Hub will be essentially a giant electrical socket on the seabed that allows developers of wave energy devices to test new wave energy technology. Groups of wave energy devices will be connected to Wave Hub and float on or just below the surface of the sea to assess how well they work and how much power they generate before going into full commercial production.
Wave Hub will eventually have a total capacity of 20MW – sufficient to power more than 7,500 homes or meet 3% of Cornwall’s energy needs. It is expected to create 1,000 jobs and inject £332 million into the region’s economy over 25 years.
Wave Hub will also be a ‘live’ laboratory for the £15 million Peninsula Research Institute for Marine Renewable Energy (PRIMARE), a collaboration between the Universities of Exeter and Plymouth which is backed by the South West RDA.
PRIMARE aims to create a global research base for the development of marine renewable energy and ensure that our region remains at the forefront of this emerging technology.
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| Learning from Rural Delivery |
The five-year Rural Renaissance initiative funded by the RDA came under scrutiny at a Learning from Rural Delivery conference in Somerset in July.
The event was organised by the RDA as an opportunity to share with partners the experience gained through Rural Renaissance, an initiative designed to create prosperity and employment in rural areas.
Delegates were given a preview of the summary from a draft independent evaluation of Rural Renaissance. The evaluation concluded that the original intentions had been achieved, with "a network of well-established and effective partnerships" with delegated decision-making up to £100,000 delivering 400 projects across the region.
Issues about the process and performance of the initiative were described as ‘relatively minor in relation to the achievements’. Among issues highlighted was the development of management systems and operating materials for new partnerships and the fact that some partnerships had experienced problems in achieving good private sector representation.
“The evaluation provides a better understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the approach that the Agency has taken in rural areas, and we wanted to share that with colleagues,” said Bruce Douglas, the RDA’s rural operations and delivery manager.
“This better understanding should inform our future engagement with sub-regional and local partners,” he said.
For more information, or a copy of the draft evaluation report summary, please contact bryony.stribling@southwestrda.org.uk
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| Climate change offers business opportunities |
David Cameron with L-R: Gaynor Coley, (Eden Project), Tim Smit (Eden Project), Michael Izza (ICEW), David Cameron, Jane Henderson (South West RDA), and Stephen Howard (Business in the Community). Pic taken by Chris Saville. |
Companies will need to radically change the way they do business to meet the challenges of climate change and other pressures according to research commissioned by our Agency.
The research was launched at the ‘Business as Usual is Not an Option’ conference at the Eden Project, when David Cameron was the keynote speaker.
Called ‘Business Not as Usual – Towards a Low-carbon Economy in the South West’, the report highlights that business is responsible for almost half of all carbon emissions in the UK.
The report says that for business to make the shift, widespread changes need to be made to areas such as legislation, taxation, public procurement and investment in innovation. These are just some of the factors which affect how a business is run and how far it can go in reducing its impact in respect of climate change.
The research report, undertaken by the New Economics Foundation (nef), can be viewed at http://www.swdebates.info/downloads/document.asp?lang=&documentid=1999§ionid=119&debatename=environment
The conference was hosted by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), the South West RDA and Business in the Community (BITC).
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More Regional News
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| | Bournemouth, Dorset & Poole |
| RDA backs Government’s plan to build a greener future |
The construction industry in Dorset is set to reduce its carbon footprint as a result of a new ‘Sustainable Construction Strategy’, launched in June.
The joint industry and Government strategy has been welcomed by our Agency. It aims deliver a radical change in the sustainability of the construction sector by reducing its carbon footprint and its use of natural resources, while creating a safer and stronger industry through training and retaining a skilled and committed workforce.
Mark Wray, our Agency’s professional services manager for Sustainable Construction, said: “We are committed to leading the South West towards a low carbon economy so we are fully behind the Sustainable Construction Strategy.
“Sustainable construction is not something new for us - we demand high environmental standards in all the developments we invest in across the region and are aiming for an ‘excellent’ rating under the independent Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) for all projects in which we are involved.”
In June our Agency also signed up to the ‘Construction Commitments’ – a set principles designed by industry to encourage sustainable construction.
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| Sunseeker expansion plans approved |
Sunseeker International, the renowned UK marine company has received planning permission for a major expansion of facilities at their base at Osprey Quay.
The scheme includes a new 4,200m2 boat building facility which will enable the company to meet future demand in producing high quality motor yachts.
The new building will provide enough space for the construction of a full range of boats including the 37 metre tri-deck yacht, unveiled at the London International Boat Show earlier this year.
Sunseeker acquired the 11.5 acre site last year and has been using the existing facilities for a number of moulding and building projects. The new planned shipyard development will include new moulding and construction units and offices to replace the existing facilities which are currently not large enough to accommodate the shipbuilding process.
The company currently employs 100 people at the Osprey Quay site and this will increase to over 400 with the new development.
The scheme has been designed with a BREEAM ‘very good’ rating achieved through using innovative energy saving and generation features.
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| RDA welcomes new economic blueprint for Bournemouth, Poole and Dorset |
In July, the Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole Multi area agreement was signed by Government and Council leaders in a ceremony in Whitehall.
The formal agreement is between the Government and local councils, our Agency and other public sector organisations and is aimed at boosting jobs, skills, transport, and the environment – and more ambitions may be added progressively.
Bournemouth, Poole and Dorset are among just seven areas of the country to negotiate such a deal – known as a Multi-Area Agreement (MAA) – and the first in the South West. This reflects the significant amount of work done by the partnership.
In a contract with Government, the area will get more freedoms from Whitehall in return for pledging a local, partnership approach to boost economic growth.
Our Agency aims to support this new agreement with our own investment so that we can unlock business potential and lead the development of a sustainable economy.
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| Go-ahead for £30 million Portland development |
The regeneration of Osprey Quay on Portland took another major step forward in April when planners gave conditional approval to a £30 million tourism and leisure development.
Award-winning regeneration company the Sutton Harbour Group, which submitted the plans, is proposing a hotel, restaurant, shops, apartments, self catering units, employment space and landscaped public areas on land near Portland Castle.
It will also include a permanent base for the RYA’s British senior, youth, junior and Paralympic national sailing squads, playing a major role supporting the sailing events for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Called Castle Court, the site is bordered by Mulberry Avenue, Liberty Road and Castle Road, and will retain the original red brick Officer’s Mess which will be converted into apartments.
Work on the scheme could start later this year and it is expected to achieve a BREEAM ‘excellent’ rating.
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| | Wiltshire & Swindon |
| Report highlights Swindon’s economic strength |
Research commissioned by our Agency and The New Swindon Company predicts a bright future for Swindon.
The Swindon Market Activity Report, produced by property experts Knight Frank, predicts that the town’s economy will grow faster than the UK average and there will be a high increase in the number of jobs during the next five years.
It singles out the town’s £1 billion regeneration programme, its growing size and strategically important location on the M4 corridor as key strengths. Plans to substantially increase the town’s size through a 35,000 home urban extension are also highlighted.
For more information contact Peter Wynn at peter.wynn@southwestrda.org.uk
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| Wiltshire and Swindon Local Area Agreements are signed off |
The Local Area Agreements (LAAs) for Swindon and Wiltshire have been signed off by Government.
These three-year plans represent an agreement with the Government on how local authorities will work with other partners – public and private - to improve delivery of the services they deliver to their communities.
They set out actions plans on how they will support the development of local economic development and enterprise, environment and healthier communities.
As a major partner, our Agency has played a key role in the development of the LAAs and their contribution to economic development.
For more information contact Steve Richards at Steve.Richards@southwestrda.org.uk
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| Step forward for university campus in Swindon |
A business plan is being developed by the University of the West of England (UWE) and other partners to build a new university campus in Swindon.
Our Agency is working with UWE, HEFCE and Swindon Borough Council on the proposals which will be submitted to the funding partners in the autumn.
Swindon is an attractive location for a university because of the number of businesses in the town who would benefit from an influx of graduates.
Based in Bristol, UWE is the largest provider of higher education in South West England and has more than 30,000 students and staff.
For more information contact Steve Richards at Steve.Richards@southwestrda.org.uk
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| Employment land reviews in Wiltshire and Swindon |
The Agency and its partners are commissioning research to assess employment land provision in Swindon and Wiltshire and the prospects and needs for the future.
The Agency, Swindon Borough Council and Wiltshire County Council are in the advanced stages of preparing the briefs and the studies are expected to be completed by the end of the year.
The results of these studies will help establish the future needs for employment land and identify strategic sites to accommodate those needs. They are intended to provide a clearer picture of the land that can be made available so that these sub-regions can better articulate their inward investment offer to businesses seeking to locate in the region.
For more information contact Steve Richards at steve.richards@southwestrda.org.uk
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| Swindon Vision goes out to tender |
A project to create a vision for the wider borough of Swindon has gone out to tender.
Led by Swindon Borough Council, the project will set out the challenges and opportunities for the area and how Swindon can fulfill its potential.
Our Agency has invested in the study. Bids will be submitted next month and the selected bidder will report on its findings next year.
For more information contact Peter Wynn at peter.wynn@southwestrda.org.uk
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| Fifteen rural areas share £33 million funding |
Fifteen rural partnerships across South West England have been awarded significant funding from the Local Action fund for rural communities.
Four partnerships are from the Wiltshire and Dorset area – Salisbury Plain Local Action Group, Sowing SEEDS (North Dorset/South Wilts), Chalk and Cheese (Dorset) and North Wessex Downs (extends into the South East region who will fund the majority of the programme). This high level of success reflects the quality of local partnership work.
Local Action is a competitive fund – part of the EU and Defra-funded Rural Development Programme (England) – for community partnerships seeking funds to bring about lasting improvements to the life and economy of their towns and villages.
The fund is managed by the RDA and our rural operations and delivery manager Bruce Douglas said: “There will be some innovative and long-term plans going ahead as a result of Local Action that will benefit both local communities and the whole region.
“We had some excellent bids, but because the process is competitive – and the total amount sought by communities was actually twice the amount in the fund – not everyone has got all the money they requested. However, successful groups have been awarded significant sums which should make a real difference to their areas.”
The bids were scrutinised by a panel drawn from RDPE partner organisations, including the Forestry Commission, Natural England and the South West RDA with the Government Office for the South West as observers.
Next steps will see the South West RDA issue contracts to the Local Action Groups which will then get on with the job of detailed planning and implementation of the projects from the autumn onwards.
All funding from the South West Local Action fund for rural communities has now been allocated. Information about Local Action and the bids is available on the RDA website at http://www.southwestrda.org.uk
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| Stonehenge visitor centre plans – open for debate |
English Heritage has begun a public consultation on options to deliver a better visitor experience at Stonehenge.
The Agency has been part of the steering group helping to develop this work and we are committed to working with partners to find a viable solution. This has been triggered by the decision not to make major changes to the A303 adjacent to the Stonehenge site.
Five alternatives have been put forward for consultation and comment. The overall intention is to enhance the ‘Outstanding Universal Value’ of Stonehenge – essentially reconnecting the site of the stones to its wider context. Importantly, all of the options involve closure of part of the A344 that runs past Stonehenge. This is likely to be the focus of lively discussion.
Full details can be found at: http://www.stonehengeconsultation.org or by contacting the Consultation hotline on 0845 026 4409.
For more information contact Tony Bray at tony.bray@southwestrda.org.uk
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| BBC Big Screen launched at Swindon’s Wharf Green |
Alex Lovell launches Swindon Big Screen |
Swindon became the first place in the south of England to have its own giant open air screen earlier this year.
The Swindon Big Screen was installed as part of the regeneration of Wharf Green being overseen by The New Swindon Company, which our Agency funds. It was launched by BBC Points West presenter Alex Lovell during a live outdoor broadcast from Swindon.
It is being used to screen local information and work by independent film makers, as well as a selection of BBC programmes and sporting events.
For more information contact Peter Wynn at peter.wynn@southwestrda.org.uk
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