The shadow Local Action Group (LAG) has just finished meeting with Advantage West Midlands (AWM) at Garden Organics premises in Ryton. The meeting was arranged to obtain AWM's initial feedback of the Central Warwickshire LEADER proposal and we are pleased to report that the feedback was very positive. Over the next few days we will be incorporating the comments and we aim to submit the final documentation at the end of the week.

The Draft Business Plan for Central Warwickshire LEADER has now been submitted to Advantage West Midlands. You can download the PDF document here.

The following clip gives a really good idea of the atmosphere generated at the event starting off with Carolyn Reilly in an animated conversation with her workgroup!

Thanks to all those who attended last nights update workshop on the progress we are making with developing the local LEADER programme. It was inspiring to hear everybodies ideas for what they could do and a willingness to make it work. My impression was that the programme could provid a real catalyst for helping communities tackle some of the problems that they face and for bringing in additional resources from outside the programme. It could also be really relevant and engaging for communities- young and old alike. So spread the word and get people involved.

The LEADER programme well and truely kicked off this evening. The event hosted by Garden Organic at their headquarters in Ryton was well attended by keen residents of Central Warwickshire.

Back in Decemember 2007 Warwickshire County Council submitted an Expression of Interest document to announce its intention to apply for funding through the LEADER programme.

Attached is the official LEADER promotional flyer. Please cascade to anyone who may want to be involved or could potentially benefit from the project.

From xPRESS Digest:

The Scotland Rural Development Programme (SRDP) is off to a flying start in Argyll with £1.4 million already awarded to community groups. The awards by the LEADER Local Action Group comes from the £2.7 million allocated by Ministers to the area to support and transform rural communities.