Communities invited to Funding Fayres

Rural community groups across Carmarthenshire will be able to access information about ways of regenerating their towns and villages at a round of upcoming ‘funding fayres’.

Carmarthenshire County Council officers leading the Rural Development Plan (RDP) in the county are putting on events in a series of venues so that people can gain an insight in to the scheme.
The fayres will visit Llanybydder, Newcastle Emlyn, Carmarthen, Whitland and Llandeilo.

The projects have received funding through the Rural Development Plan for Wales 2007-2013 which is funded by the Welsh Assembly Government and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development.

Carmarthenshire has been successful in attracting over £8.7million from the fund, which is currently being invested in a number of projects designed to support the regeneration of rural areas.

They include a rural conversion grant programme which seeks to help small businesses to convert redundant rural buildings into business use; community regeneration funding to assist community groups to improve basic services in their towns and villages, and advice and support for existing rural businesses and business start ups, among many other schemes.

RDP Officer Kate Rabaiotti said: “We wanted to visit rural communities across Carmarthenshire to give them more information about the various schemes that we have already invested in, and what is to come.

“We also want local communities to come up with their own suggestions for regenerating their communities, and by holding these fayres we hope to equip them with all the information they need.”

RDP funding and support is available for businesses, social enterprises, community groups and individuals.

The aim of the Community Regeneration Schemes is to help rural communities to make best use of facilities; be more joined up in their thinking; plan together to share local facilities and resources; and to have improved access to transport, employment, training, leisure, childcare and other services. Working with the council’s development officers, the community groups will receive one-to-one support to assist them to develop their project ideas with the aim of developing a business plan which could be supported through RDP.

County council executive board member for regeneration, Cllr Clive Scourfield, said: “This money is bringing many economic benefits to rural Carmarthenshire.

“The Rural Development Plan provides a wonderful opportunity to invest in the regeneration of rural areas.

“It marks a major step forward in the ongoing regeneration of the county and supports the innovative work that the council is leading to support and develop our communities.”

For further information about the RDP contact Kate Rabaiotti on 01267 242371 or email krabaiotti@carmarthenshire.gov.uk. Alternatively, visit www.wwec.org.uk.

Funding Fayres will be held as follows:

Wednesday, November 4: Aberduar Chapel Vestry, Llanybydder
Thursday, November 12: Holy Trinity Church Community Hall, Newcastle Emlyn
Monday, November 23: Carmarthen Town Library, Carmarthen
Tuesday, November 24: Whitland Memorial Hall
Wednesday, November 25: Llandeilo Civic Hall