Transcript Document
Supporting rural communities to thrive in the East Riding of Yorkshire, North and North East Lincolnshire ABOUT US a • • • • • Established in 1975 as Community Council of Humberside Community Limited by Guarantee One of 38 Rural Community Councils (RCCs) covering England and Wales, headed up by the national umbrella body, Action with Communities in Rural England (ACRE) The Network of RCC’s is known as the Rural Community Action Network (RCAN) All RCC’s operate as independent charities but are contracted by DEFRA (through ACRE) to deliver and feedback on specific priority rural themes What are the aims of Defra’s funding a 2014/15 of the RCC Network during • Local Strategic Influencing • Engagement with LEPs, Las and other key local partnerships and organisations ‘to promote rural needs and opportunities in local decision making and delivery’ ACRE Network members helping to determine local level rural proofing solutions • Supporting rural communities to take action for themselves on key local priorities • 2014/15 areas – broadband/digital skills, transport, community energy, services, affordable housing and neighbourhood planning • Sharing learning on sustainable funding models • • Through newsletters, online forums and network meetings. ACRE can facilitate learning and best practice across the network on sustainable funding and operating models to help ensure best practice across the network Network members that have lessons to share will provide them to ACRE to circulate around the whole network OUR DELIVERY TEAM a Chief Executive, Penny Brown Operations Support Manager, Joanne Greenfield Operations Support Officer, Karen Weeks Finance Support Officer, Denise Thompson (External) Delivery and Development Manager Susan Oliver Rural Community Buildings Information Officer, Margaret Kirk Transport Solutions Coordinator,Robin Bradshaw Community Development Coordinators, Peter Hirschfeld and Carole Johnson Current staff team = 9, plus 1 external service provider Transport Solutions Administrator, Carole Foster Current project activities and future plans RURAL ENERGY • • • • • Oil Cooperative – bulk oil buying scheme saving residents in East Riding money Practical advice on reducing consumption and cost, particularly targeting those most vulnerable Energy audits Independent renewable energy advice Greener Schools – educating children on how and why they need to reduce consumption and linking their learning to the wider community Developments in progress: • More innovatively engaging and targeting ‘key’ beneficiaries - extending support to include household budgeting to help those moving into or struggling with independent living (working with Adult Education, Credit Union, Food Banks, Age Concern, etc) • Designing a project specifically focused on helping farming and other rural businesses reduce their energy consumption/cost, making a wider economic impact • ‘Growing a Greener Future’ - bringing together all environmental activities under one core project TRANSPORT SOLUTIONS HWRCC provides flexible and affordable community transport for those that do not have access to, or cannot use, other forms of transport Voluntary Car Scheme – a pool of volunteer drivers use their own vehicle to take residents in North Lincolnshire to hospital appointments, food shopping, day centres, etc ‘Over 9,000 passenger journeys in the last year’ Wheels to Work – a scooter loan scheme delivered in North East Lincolnshire for rurally isolated residents who struggle to access training, employment or education COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT • Community Led Planning • • Community Review Youth Toolkit • Community Buildings Support • Village Veg • Broadband Development ideas being progressed: • Economic Development • • • Employability and skills Village Agent WWI HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE Previously delivered: • East Riding of Yorkshire Local Involvement Network (ERYLINk) • Older Peoples Charter Monitoring Group (OPCMG) Developments in progress: • Creating an alternative package of support with vulnerable people, particularly focused at older people (reducing isolation) Thank you for listening! Questions?