The Heart of Eden Community Plan Group officially launched its Community Plan last Thursday, 25 February, at Appleby Public Hall.
The Plan is the culmination of over two years’ hard work and sets out what local people value and would like to change in their communities. More importantly, it is also an action plan, which sets out how they intend to actually achieve the changes local people have said they want.
The 12 Parishes involved in producing the Heart of Eden Community Plan are: Appleby-in-Westmorland, Asby, Murton, Dufton, Long Marton, Milburn, Crackenthorpe, Bolton, Kirkby Thore, Bandleyside, Newbiggin, and Temple Sowerby.
Representatives from all member Parishes, the County Council, Eden District Council, Action with Communities in Cumbria (ACT) and other key agencies attended the event where Barry Thompson, Chairman of the Heart of Eden Steering Group launched the Plan.
Barry Thompson, Chairman of the Heart of Eden Steering Group, said, “I, along with the rest of the Steering Group, am extremely proud of the Plan we’ve written together. We consulted widely with local people of all ages and businesses to find out what really mattered to them.
“We then took this information and turned it into a practical action plan. We quickly realised that we would need money to fulfil many of the actions so have also been bidding for money and have to date been successful in drawing down over £70,000 worth of funding.
“We’ve also had wonderful support from a variety of agencies in writing the Plan and bidding for money, in particular ACT, Eden District Council and Cumbria County Council.”
In congratulating the Community Plan Group on the publication of the Plan, Roger Roberts, Chief Executive of ACT said: “It is increasingly important for local people to have a vision for their community. Your Plan gives you just that and is a tool for you to use in talking to the District and County Councils, and other agencies, in trying to shape their services to meet your needs.
“I have been particularly impressed by the financial commitment the Parish Councils have made to implement the Plan. It is that local commitment that has led to you securing funding from elsewhere.”
The next step for the Group is to register themselves as a Charitable Company and commence delivering the action plan over the next three years.
The Heart of Eden Community Plan executive summary has been posted out to all residents together with a Housing Needs Survey. The full Community Plan is available to read at the ACT website: www.cumbriaaction.org.uk
ENDS
Notes to Editors
Further press information is available from:
Carl Glynn, Action with Communities in Cumbria (ACT) – Development Officer, Eden
Tel: 01768 869525 or Email: carlglynn@cumbriaaction.org.uk
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Action with Communities in Cumbria
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(Previously known as Voluntary Action Cumbria)
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ACT is Cumbria’s Rural Community Council and a registered charity.
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ACT is working with people and communities to improve the quality of life in rural Cumbria.
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ACT is an independent organisation able to work with a wide range of partners on an open and equitable basis.
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Established in 1948, for over 60 years ACT has been supporting communities that are socially, economically and environmentally vibrant where the needs of all are considered.
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To find out more information, please visit ACT’s website: www.cumbriaaction.org.uk
