Presentation by Pete Banford, Shropshire Hills LEADER Co-ordinator.

20.1    The Shropshire Hills LEADER Co-Ordinator reminded Members that the LEADER programme was part of the RDP and was managed by DEFRA, with £2 million funding over 4 years.  He informed Members that the 6 national priorities were: -

·         Priority 1 – support to increase farm productivity

·         Priority 2 - support for micro and small businesses (non-agricultural) and farm diversification

·         Priority 3 – support for rural tourism

·         Priority 4 – provision of rural services

·         Priority 5 - support for cultural and heritage activity

·         Priority 6 – support for increasing forestry productivity

20.2    The LEADER Co-Ordination explained the types of projects that were applying for funding and took Members through the application and approvals process.

20.3    The LEADER Co-Ordinator referred Members to the LEADER pages on the Council Website and asked that if they had any further queries that they contact him.

Presentation by Pete Banford, Shropshire Hills LEADER Co-ordinator.