Chance to Have your say about what LEADER should do
The draft development plan which will set the priorities for allocating some £406,000 of LEADER funding to projects in the Cromarty Firth ward area will be the subject of much discussion on Tuesday 17th March.
As part of the drive to ensure that the plan truly reflects the area’s priorities, there will be a drop-in session and then discussion meeting on Tuesday 17th at the Perrins Centre, Alness. Everyone is welcome to attend. The drop-in session runs from 2.30pm until 6pm, with the evening session running from 7pm until 8.30pm
Bill Robbins, who’s representing the Ardross Community Council on the local LEADER Steering Group said: “Communities need to tell us what’s important to them so that the local plan reflects that and directs the money to the right projects. If you care about your community, please come along to the meeting and tell us so that your views can be included.”
People are welcome to call in at any time during the drop-in session and will be able to find out what priorities have been discussed to date and to make comments on these. They can also vote for the ones they think are most important so that the plan. The evening session will have the same content but start at 7pm.
Councillor Martin Rattray emphasised how important it is that as many people as possible participate in the event. He said “Often people will talk in the street about what needs to be done to improve their area but may not take part in formal consultation. We would urge as many as possible to come along so that we do get their views.”
The ward includes Alness, Ardross, Evanton, Invergordon and Saltburn. Its LEADER plan is being developed by an Interim Group which comprises members of the five community councils in the ward and representatives of five community umbrella groups, and group members will be present at the meeting.
The main LEADER themes include local development strategies; culture and heritage; training and learning; access to activities, facilities and services; land, environment and access to the countryside; renewables; tourism; and social enterprise and micro-businesses.
The plan should be completed by the end of March and all suggestions are welcome before then. Funding for projects is available already and anyone who has a potential project should get in touch with Fiona Cameron, the LEADER development officer for the area. Her contact details are on the Highland LEADER website www. highlandleader.com Shona MacLennan, who is the consultant leading the plan development, can be contacted by e-mail (shona@solas-biz.co.uk) or phone 0781 843 8577.
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