1 Leicester and Leicestershire Food and Drink Co-ordinator 12 th May 2010 Matthew Kempson Rural Partnership’s Manager, Leicestershire County Council Food Steering Group

2 Presentation outline -Policy drivers (Defra, MAA, LRP) -Current scheduled activity -Food and Drink Co-ordinator - Project Outline - Governance Arrangements - Timetable -Open discussion

3 National Food 2030 (Defra) Regional (emda) RES – East Midlands Food and Drink Sector Strategy (2008) Sub-Regional Multi-Area Agreement (Leicester and Leicestershire) Leicester and Leicestershire Economic Assessment Strategic Commissioning Framework for Economic Growth, – “the area is regarded as a centre of excellence for food and drink”. Leicestershire Rural Strategy, Rural Economic Priorities, (food and drink) Policy Drivers

4 East Midlands Food Forum – dedicated sub-regional officer Melton Food Partnership Skills and training Routeways – Employment Skills Board Leicester Market events On-going farmers markets (Leicestershire Food Links) LRP INSPIRE Leicestershire programme, Leicester and Leicestershire Food Fortnight 2010 Food and Drink Directory 2010 (LFL) Rural business capital grants East Midlands Food Festival (Brooksby Hall) Other activity

5 Overarching objectives… 1)Develop a sub-regional food and drink strategy and action plan 2)Support the development of food and drink networks 3)Support skills and training activities 4)Progress food and drink related tourism development and promotion 5)Advance business support and infrastructure development 6)Promote healthy eating/food education Food and Drink Co-ordinator

6 Appointment of co-ordinator on a consultancy basis 2 years funding – contract through tender to end March 2011 Contracted outputs E4. Business Support – number of businesses to improve their performance (year 1 – 20) Referrals to Business Link and UKTI (year 1 – 10) Targeted workshops and networking events Food and Drink Co-ordinator

7 Governance structure Leadership Board Co-ordination Group Rural Group (LRP) Employment Skills Board Business and Enterprise S&P Group Food and Drink Co-ordinator Steering Group Food and Drink Delivery Sub-Groups Leicester and Leicestershire Food and Drink Consortium

8 Key responsibilities… Strategic steer for the project Oversight of co-ordinator work programme Approval of strategy and action plan Approval of expenditure plans Liaison with partner organisations Development of effective networks and partnership arrangements to support successful delivery of the project Assisting with the promotion of the project through various channels Food and Drink Co-ordinator Steering Group

9 June 2010Consultancy appointment. Meeting of Co- ordinator Steering Group July 2010Launch event to commence the development of the strategy and action plan September 2010Wider consultation on food and drink sector strategy November 2010Launch of food and drink strategy and action plan. Commencement of delivery March 2011End of year/project report from Co-ordinator Timetable

10 Questions and open discussion