LEADER+ Update

Since 2003, the LEADER+ rural development programme has been operating in the Penistone and District area. This programme has been led by a Local Action Group working under the umbrella of Penistone & District Community Partnership. The programme has supported over twenty local projects and has contributed to an investment of over £1.7 million into the local area. Projects supported by the programme have delivered over 1,000 episodes of advice or training, there have been 287 instances of direct support for community groups and over 70 business start-ups have been assisted. Over 30 different partner organisations have been actively involved in the delivery of projects.

The current LEADER+ programme will come to an end later in 2008 but the good news is that the Penistone and District area is set to be part of a larger LEADER area in the future. As well as the existing LEADER area in Penistone and District (with the addition of Tankersley and Pilley), the new LEADER partnership will also include rural communities in North Sheffield together with the Denby Dale and Kirkburton areas in Kirklees. The new programme is being developed by a new partnership called the East Peak Innovation Partnership (EPIP).

A detailed development plan for the new LEADER programme is currently being prepared and it is important that the priorities of local communities are, as far as possible, reflected in the final proposals (which will need to be approved by Yorkshire Forward, the regional development agency, in the summer of 2008). The LEADER approach is grounded in the idea of a ‘bottom-up’ community-led programme of activity and, to ensure this is achieved, Penistone & District Community Partnership has been invited by the East Peak Innovation Partnership to take forward work on the establishment of a Local Innovation Group or Groups for the Penistone and District area. The detail of how these Local Innovation Groups (LIGs) will operate is still being developed however the main task of a LIG will be to identify potential projects

that are appropriate to be supported through the new LEADER programme. Further work will also need to be undertaken to identify priorities and themes for the new LEADER programme reflecting the needs of the local areas within its catchment.

The Local Innovation Groups will need to include wide representation from the local area and will need to achieve a balance of membership from the voluntary and community, public and business sectors. It will also be important to consider ways in which local people and organizations can be involved in the work of the Local Innovation Groups without the need to attend yet more meetings.

If you would like more information about the new LEADER programme and the East Peak Innovation Partnership, please contact Stephen Gould (01226 76 66 90) or e-mail: penistoneleader@btinternet.com.