Rural Services
This is the page for the rural services support and advice in Gloucestershire
Introduction
GRCC works with communities and businesses looking at ways of addressing rural services issues in Gloucestershire. Your first point of call is Chris Cowcher, GRCC Rural Services Adviser and coordinator of the Rural Services Support Group.
Looking back at 2009
- The 13 projects that were supported by the Rural Services Support Group Business Support and Enhancement Grant in 2008 went ‘live’. To learn more click here.
- Gloucestershire’s 12th Community Shop opened its doors in Horsley
- Longborough Community Shop re-launched itself following funding from the Rural Services Support Group and Plunkett Foundation
- Six of Gloucestershire’s twelve community shops met over supper in Community House in October 2009, sharing ideas, best practice and future projects. Ken Parsons from the Rural Shops Alliance attended in order to provide specialist business advice on the night. Main conversation topics were around the practicalities and advantages of Electronic Points of Sale (EPOS) and potential funding sources.
Funding opportunity for rural services providers in Gloucestershire
If you are a not-for-private-profit organisation such as a registered charity, community business, social enterprise, co-operative or parish council and are looking to address the provision of your local services there could be funding available to help you achieve your aim.
The Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) Social and Community Enterprise funding theme has £6m available to be used to directly support the provision and delivery of basic services in rural areas. These can range from key services such as access to child care, retail services or services provided for the benefit of the community such as renewable energy projects.
The fund is open to enterprises in rural areas – specifically for towns and villages with a population of less than 10,000 – across the whole of South West England. All projects will go through the same appraisal process with viability, sustainability and value-for-money being major considerations.
How to apply to this fund
There are two stages involved:
- Expression of Interest – The sales pitch for your project
- Full Application and supporting business plan (which projects will create using the standard Business Link business plan template)
Support from GRCC can be accessed by contacting Chris Cowcher christopherc@grcc.org.uk or 01452 528491
To find out more about RDPE Community and Social Enterprise theme of funding click here
The Rural Development Programme for England 2007-2013 is jointly funded by Defra and the European Union, with the aim of delivering targeted support to rural businesses and communities. It is managed in this region by the South West RDA, Natural England and the Forestry Commission.
Rural Services Support Group
The Rural Services Support Group is a partnership of public, private, voluntary and community sector organisations aiming to identify and address issues affecting rural services in Gloucestershire.
Achievements of the group to date are:
- The establishment of a Gloucestershire community shop network to allow sharing of information, experiences and good practice
- The provision of advice and support to communities and businesses during the Post Office Network Change Programme
- The commissioning of consultancy work from the Rural Shops Alliance for businesses affected by the Post Office Network Change Programme
- The development of the Business Support and Enhancement Grant scheme, funded by Gloucestershire County Council which supported 13 projects in the county
- Continued signposting to support for rural retailers from Businesslink and Rural Shops Alliance
- The publication of a directory of support which includes details of support available from all partner organisations of the rural services support group and also contact details for these organisations
- A rural retail event took place in January 2009 to bring retailers, parish councils, interested residents and county decision makers together to begin to work together to keep our rural services alive
- Support has been given to potential RDPE applicants since May 2009
Contact
If you have any queries with regard to rural services in Gloucestershire or would like to find out more about the Rural Services Support Group and its work, please do not hesitate to contact Chris Cowcher at christopherc@grcc.org.uk
