Local Action Group Membership Information
March 2015
Introduction
Greater Dartmoor Local Enterprise Action Fund (Greater Dartmoor LEAF) provides funding and
support to businesses and communities across Dartmoor and the surrounding area. It is run by a
Local Action Group (LAG) which is a local group of farmers, business people, community members
and representatives of various local organisations and local authorities.
We have been awarded a grant of just under £2 million for the Local Action Group to invest in local
activities, which will be funded by Defra and the European Commission through the Rural
Development for England (RDPE). This money is to be spent on the priorities that were identified
in the Greater Dartmoor LEAF Local Development Strategy.
This information pack provides background information about the fund and about joining Greater
Dartmoor LEAF as a member. Further details and updates can be accessed on the website:
www.greaterdartmoorleaf.org.uk
What are the priorities for Greater Dartmoor LEAF?
A. To support businesses to grow and prosper
This is about helping all sectors of business, including farming and forestry, to develop and
employ more people through direct, structured support.
B. To offer people in the uplands equivalent opportunities to their lowland neighbours
In the uplands (within Dartmoor National Park), there are particular obstacles to development
that restrict opportunities; including inaccessibility, vulnerability to climate issues and
weather events, lack of local services and poor infrastructure (virtual and physical). This
priority is about overcoming these obstacles to help businesses and employ more people.
C. To strengthen key local sectors and capitalise on our natural resources
There are some established and developing sectors in the area that offer great opportunities,
such as food and drink, small scale manufacturing and tourism. We plan to support these
sectors to develop and grow, particularly through cooperative working within and across
sectors.
D. To support enterprising communities
In order to support sustainable communities, we are seeking to build local capacity by
supporting new ideas that generate new community income streams, enhance community
facilities to they become sustainable or increase project delivery capability within
communities.
A summary sheet which describes the actions we hope to support is included in this
information pack.
1
Local Action Group Membership Information
March 2015
What does the Local Action Group do?
Oversees the direction and delivery of the programme
Formally decides which projects get a share of the funding
Provides local knowledge to help run the programme effectively
Monitors the progress of the programme
Who are the members of the Local Action Group?
Local Action Group will consist of up to 20 people who either live or work within the Greater
Dartmoor LEAF area. There is a map showing this area at the end of this document.
Each member of the group plays an active role in the development of their local area by offering
their knowledge, expertise and experience to ensure that the LEAF funding is invested as wisely as
possible, and that the interests of the local rural economy are taken into consideration effectively.
Every member is able to vote on projects that have applied for funding, and is expected to
participate in lively meetings to help ensure we meet our local priorities. The meetings are held
every two months.
Between them, the group’s members will represent:
Farmers
Business people
The tourism sector
Community/voluntary organisations
Culture/heritage
Environmental organisations
Local authorities
South Hams District Council, which is responsible for making sure the fund is used, and
accounted for, properly
Defra
We will endeavour to include a mix of different ages and both genders to reflect the communities
in which we live. At least 50% of the group’s members must be from the private or voluntary
sectors.
What is a LAG meeting like?
Meetings are usually held every two months and are run by an elected Chairperson from the
group. The locations will usually be at Okehampton or Parke (Bovey Tracey) but other places
within the Greater Dartmoor LEAF area may also be used, with venues notified in advance. Terms
of Reference for the group will be agreed at the first meeting. Typically each meeting includes an
overview of programme progress, and then new project applications are introduced. Decisions
are made by a simple majority through a show of hands at the meetings, all of which is
documented in formal minutes.
2
Local Action Group Membership Information
March 2015
Other than attending meetings, what else do LAG members do?
In advance of each meeting, full sets of papers will be made available electronically (with hard
copies available on request). Each LAG member is expected to read these documents in
preparation for the meeting to enable an informed debate to take place.
Every member is also expected to get involved in appraising some projects, which means studying
a project in greater detail and commenting on its strengths and weaknesses. Full appraisal
training will be provided.
LAG members are also expected to act as champions both for Greater Dartmoor LEAF itself and for
the local area more generally.
There are opportunities to get more involved as we will have a number of working or themed
groups running as the programme gets going, for example a PR & Communications group.
Participation in these groups is voluntary, but we are keen to learn from your skills and experience
as much as possible.
What support is there for LAG members?
The group is supported by the Programme Manager, Liz Abell, and the team of project advisors at
the DR Company. The team at The DR Company will be available during office hours to discuss any
queries or concerns you may have.
All LAG members will be provided with training, to ensure that they understand the priorities of
Greater Dartmoor LEAF and have the skills and knowledge to participate fully in meetings. All
jargon will be explained, and to get you started there is a brief glossary at the end of this
document.
Lift sharing is encouraged where possible. LAG members who are unable to claim travel expenses
from an organisation they represent can claim them from the LAG.
What if a LAG member wants to apply for project funding?
There is a Code of Conduct that allows LAG members to apply for funding and details how to
declare an interest in a project to ensure that the decision that is made is independent and fair.
How can you apply to become a member of Greater Dartmoor LEAF?
If you are interested in becoming a member, please complete the application form in this pack and
return it either by email to [email protected], or by post to GD LEAF Member Application,
The DR Company, Okehampton Business Centre, Higher Stockley Mead, Okehampton EX20 1FJ.
3
Local Action Group Membership Information
March 2015
Map of Greater Dartmoor LEAF area
Greater Dartmoor LEAF area
4
Local Action Group Membership Information
March 2015
What’s it really like?
Here are some testimonials from members of the existing Local Action Group, explaining why they
choose to volunteer for this role
“GD LEAF is the best performing Local Action Group in the Country and
provides a unique partnership between local businesses, community
enterprises and local authorities. The Board is very focused and determined to
extract the maximum value out of the funds available, while remaining
friendly and business-like.”
“With coverage of a larger area and the inclusion of farming the Greater
Dartmoor LEAF takes on an even more important role”
“Being a member of the GD LEAF team is a very rewarding way of supporting
the areas communities and businesses. The group makes collective decisions
based on the knowledge and experience around the table and it’s that local
knowledge that really helps.”
“These are important pump priming funds and essential to stimulating the
local economy. They also help the local authority deliver the Business Growth
Strategy. Not only does it stimulate new ideas, it helps to make the other
funding go further, thus adding significant value to the local economy.”
“As a councillor representative covering both Dartmoor & South Hams, I
believe the GDLEAF has provided much support and investment for many &
varied projects throughout both areas. It is extremely pleasing to be part of
an organization that has brought desperately need help and funding to our
local communities in a very responsive & efficient manner.”
5
Local Action Group Membership Information
March 2015
Glossary
This brief glossary is intended to explain some of the terms that are used in relation to Local
Action Groups
Accountable Body
The organisation with legal responsibility for ensuring compliance
with all the conditions of the legal contract. This includes checking
all financial claims and processes associated with operating the
programme. The accountable body for Greater Dartmoor LEAF is
South Hams District Council.
Delivery Body
The organisation responsible for the management and delivery of
the programme, ensuring it is delivered to time and budget. This
includes employing, accommodating and managing all staff involved
in running the programme. The delivery body for Greater Dartmoor
LEAF is The DR Company.
Greater Dartmoor LEAF
Greater Dartmoor Local Enterprise Action Fund
LDS
Local Development Strategy. This is the document that was written
based on extensive local consultation about what is important within
this area, and formed the proposal for funding that was submitted to
Defra.
LEADER
This is the name for Local Action that is used across Europe. It
stands for Liaison Entre Actions de Développement de l'Economie
Rurale, but usually we just refer to Local Action in England.
RDPE
Rural Development Programme for England. This is the overall
scheme that provides funding and support for rural England and is
funded through Defra and the European Commission. Local Action is
a part of this scheme.
6