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Small rural communities could have a stronger network of support to turn to for help in running local services in village halls, backing enterprise and bidding for environmental funding – as the region’s Rural Community Councils (RCCs) explore ways of working together more closely.
The North East England RCCs – in Northumberland, Tees Valley and County Durham, which are the first line of support for people in rural communities on local regeneration – are developing their links as a regional RCC network to give rural areas a stronger voice in planning and policy.
The work, supported in part by a £50,860 grant from regional development agency One North East, has also seen the existing RCC’s joining together to share training, different approaches to common issues, and their experience of what works for rural communities and what doesn’t. They are also building links and partnerships on issues such as energy efficiency and community supported agriculture with councils, Northumberland Strategic Partnership, Government Office for the North East and the North East Rural Affairs Forum.
Bob Burston, chairman of the North East England RCCs, said: “One North East’s funding has been an enormous help in developing a stronger voice for rural areas in the region, and has also shown that there is a real will - not just amongst the RCCs, but from other partners too - for that voice to be heard.”
One North East Assistant Chief Executive (Strategy) Pat Ritchie, said: “For us, this is about helping rural communities across the region to work together on the key issues affecting them and to achieve a bigger impact.
“We know that other parts of the country already have very effective regional RCC networks, so we hope our support will help shape similar success here.
“Rural areas have an important contribution to make to the regional economy and the RCCs’ have a key role in making that happen – helping to run local services in remote areas, supporting rural enterprise, promoting affordable housing and tackling issues around climate change, so we were pleased to support this project.”
Sue Shaw, a Trustee of the national RCCs body ACRE, who has been working with the three RCCs in the region, said: “There is a real enthusiasm and optimism about working together to achieve greater recognition of rural issues in North East England. We advocate for appropriate support for our rural communities, building on the long term community development work RCCs have been doing in a wide variety of projects in the region.”
RCC’s are behind many rural success stories in the region, including:
A national pilot scheme to improve management standards at community buildings and halls, being tested in Northumberland
Supporting the creation of a number of community-based development trusts, such as Bellingham Community Trust and the Glendale Gateway Trust
Helping community buildings to apply for Big Lottery funding
Exploring broker schemes for public transport to cover remote rural areas of the Tees Valley
Hands on Health, a series of free courses across rural Durham covering healthy eating on a budget, cooking, exercise and stress management
Helping village halls and community buildings improve their energy efficiency and water conservation
There are 38 RCCs in the UK, all linked to the national umbrella organisation ACRE.
Originally set up in the 1930s, one of the first focuses for RCCs was establishing soup kitchens in village halls to feed unemployed rural workers.
The RCCs have a service level agreement with Defra, whilst their project funding comes from a range of sources including charities, the private sector, regional development agencies and primary care trusts. The RCCs employ between 60 and 70 people in North East England.
The RCCs are heavily involved in exploring how the government’s proposals for community engagement can be interpreted at community level. They also work with parishes and communities on identifying local solutions to local problems and making sure their issues are plotted into more strategic planning.
The regional capacity work is being supported by One North East’s Third Sector Capacity Fund, which was launched to help not-for-profit organisations find new and better ways of overcoming the barriers which can prevent people from working or starting a business, and to share new ideas across the sector. The academy has also produced a general guide to website design and operation for third sector organisations.
The fund has provided a total of £688,662 in grants to 19 different projects, which also include exploring ways of creating sustainable community transport schemes, and encouraging closer working by voluntary organisations in rural areas. All funding for the 2007-08 financial year has been allocated, but the potential for a further fund in 2008 is being explored.
The third sector is the Government’s umbrella term for not-for-profit organisations such as charities, community groups and social enterprise. The sector as a whole employs 4.4% of the region’s workforce and is supported by more than 140,000 volunteers.
Ends.
For more information, contact Claire Mason (press office) on 0191 229 6429 / 07765220755 or email Claire.mason@onenortheast.co.uk
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