Potential Leader activity in West Yorkshire

Leader is part of an overall package of rural activity as set out in the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) and Yorkshire & Humber Regional Implementation Plan. The RDPE funds various strands including;

1. improving the competitiveness of farming and forestry sectors
2. improving the environment and countryside
3. rural quality of life and diversification of the rural economy
4. the leader approach

Yorkshire Forward is responsible for delivering the socio-economic elements of the activities listed above (1,3 & 4). The Forestry Commission and Natural England will be delivering the agri-environmental activities (2).

Yorkshire Forward has therefore been working with partners in the region to design 4 programmes of support through which rural businesses and communities can access funding;

i) The Rural Enterprise Investment Programme is a package of support for rural businesses wanting to start up or expand, and needing to access over £25,000 of public funding to take their businesses forward.
ii) Rural Business Start Up Programme is part of the support that businesses can access via Business Link, for new enterprises and young businesses (less than three years old).
iii) Land Based Industries- Skills and Knowledge Transfer Program is providing support to the agricultural and forestry sectors to upskill and improve business performance.
iv) LEADER is the fourth of these approaches to rural funding and will focus primarily on basic services for rural communities, rural culture and heritage, village development and renewal.

In Yorkshire & Humber, Yorkshire Forward’s guidance specifies that Leader will cover the following priority areas;

i) the provision of basic services for the economy and rural population : this priority will focus on supporting and developing services in rural areas. The focus will be on providing multi-functional spaces and services that are accessible to all in that community. The priority will cover two areas of activity;

• the space in which the service occurs, ie the funding of conversion/upgrading of community facilities, enabling the creation of multi-functional environments in village spaces such as pubs, post offices, church spaces, schools, doctors surgeries, sports clubs etc.

• the investment in the basic service itself ie childcare, shop and the equipment/ resources / expertise required to get the service established

ii) village renewal and development – supporting communities to develop and maintain a sense of place

iii) the renovation and interpretation of local cultural or heritage features to contribute to wider economic and social agendas, including those which:

• promote the development, understanding and appreciation of culture and heritage

• ensure accessibility to a variety of cultural and heritage based activities

• enhance the cultural attractions of the area

• provide direct cultural services and support the cultural sector of the community

The Local Development Strategy document should also indicate how the proposed Leader programme will assist the delivery of the other business support programmes outlined above and the agri-environment programmes by targeting and encouraging applications to these funds.