Councils join forces to bid for rural funding

Two councils in Gloucestershire are working together to bid for up to £1.7m of EU rural funding that will be used to help support new jobs and economic growth in rural areas.

Two councils in Gloucestershire are working together to bid for up to £1.7m of EU rural funding that will be used to help support new jobs and economic growth in rural areas.

To help inform the bid, Tewkesbury Borough and Forest of Dean District councils are asking for help from rural businesses, groups and residents on the needs and opportunities currently present in rural areas, as well to identify potential projects to include.

There will be a focus on support for rural farming, businesses and communities with a particular emphasis on encouraging sustainable jobs and growth. This will include small enterprises, increasing farm and forestry productivity, cultural and heritage activity, rural tourism and rural services.

The bid will ask for up to 1.7million over the next five years from a programme called The LEADER Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE).

Interested businesses, groups and residents can get involved and give their thoughts by attending one of two consultation events taking place in Tewkesbury Borough. 

The events are being held from 6pm to 7.30pm on Tuesday, 15 July at Tirley Village Hall and from 6pm to 7.30pm on Thursday, 24 July at Gotherington Village Hall.

There is also the opportunity to get involved by completing an online survey on Tewkesbury borough council’s website at www.tewkesbury.gov.uk, and hard copies are also available on request.

Tewkesbury Borough Council’s Lead Member for Economic Development and Promotion Cllr Dave Waters said: “This is a great opportunity to secure significant funding for the rural areas of the borough to help promote and support jobs and growth.  It is really important that our rural businesses and communities get involved in these events so that we can hear their thoughts and ideas, which will help to develop priorities for the bid.”

To book a place or for more information, email economicdevelopment@tewkesbury.gov.uk or phone 01684 272249.