Alex Sherman

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RDPE - One Year On
Taunton Rugby Club Wednesday, 29 April 2009
Alex Sherman Manager Somerset Levels and
Moors Local Action Group
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Somerset Levels Moors Local Action
Promoting sustainable development in the Levels
Moors to strengthen the economy, vibrancy and
environmental quality for all residents,
businesses and visitors.
Local Action Leader Approach

• The Levels Moors a stunning wetland lowland
  landscape
• 120k people
• 11 market towns
• 4 District Council areas
• Local Action is one of a number of actions in
  the area since 1964

The Levels
Poldens ridge
Southern Moors
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Planning Involvement
Somerset Levels Moors Local Action
Local Action Leader Approach

• Our LAG is an open one
• LAG Event every 6 months
• Annual Business Conference
• Create a visible link between events and
  activities
• Anecdotal evidence is primary evidence
• Local Strategy, Delivery Plans and Local Action
  overall
• 44 project ideas on the table
• 12 from Local Strategy
• 32 in the last 6 months
• Funding split
• 70 responsive
• 15 for small business grants
• 15 for commissioning (based on consultations)

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Somerset Levels Moors Local Action
. . . as part of the RDPE

• The RDPE as a whole reflects many aspects of
  rural life
• We feel a part of the wider RDPE a link
• aided by Somerset County Council, SWRDA, Natural
  England ( FC) RDPE network
• Mutual sharing of leads and contacts

Local Action Leader Approach

• Shapwick Heath Visitor Centre Case Study
• Interaction between the Axes ELS HLS, native
  breed grazing meadows, diversification of economy
  (farming landscape to tourism and retail)
• Partnership involved with long-term use of
  proposed visitor centre
• Ancillary projects through Local Action rural
  interpretation, cycling, retail for local food,
  drink crafts, design stage
• Use of local Somerset / South West forestry
  products in the build

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Somerset Levels Moors Local Action
Partnership the vital element

• Partnerships make things happen
• Identify need
• Identify innovative locally tailor made solutions
• Catalyse action
• Everything in the Levels Moors is collaborative
• Local Development Strategy, Delivery Plan,
  scoping the future, projects
• Shapwick Heath case study
• Partnerships and projects MUST be community
  focused to ensure what is done is what is wanted
• Partnerships encourage and promote a wider
  viewpoint creating the links within the
  community but also to the RDPE, and other agencies

Local Action Leader Approach
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Somerset Levels Moors Local Action
Conclusions

• It has taken a long time to get to this point
  2006-2009
• Our stakeholders have been active, forward
  thinking, altruistic and persistent
• The Levels Moors model exhibits true
  collaboration
• Long term collaboration and interaction across
  the axes will deliver
• The best value and returns for the money
• An effective and long lasting legacy for the
  Levels Moors, owned and believed in by
  communities and businesses

Local Action Leader Approach