1. Arun, Chichester and Hayling LEADER Local Action Group LEADER Workshop Friday 4 July 2014 Chichester

2. Workshop Aims To explore how LEADER grants could help businesses and communities in the future. To contribute to the development of the Local Development Strategy by: – agreeing the distinctive characteristics of the Arun, Chichester and Hayling rural area – identifying priorities and potential activities To help develop a successful bid to Defra for more LEADER funding.

3. Workshop Programme 13.00 - 13.10Welcome & introduction 13.10 - 13.40The LEADER Experience 2008-2013 13.40 - 13.50LEADER 2015-2020 13.50 - 14.00Arun, Chichester & Hayling LEADER Area 14.00 - 14.30Round Table Discussion (1) - Local Characteristics and Priorities 14.30 - 14.45Feedback 14.45 - 15.30Round Table Discussion (2) – The LEADER Ten Project Challenge 15.30 – 15.50Feedback and Questions 15.50 – 16.00Next Steps and Close

4. The LEADER Experience 2008-2013 Councillor Ricky Bower – Chairman Sussex Downs & Low Weald Local Action Group Richard Chalk – LEADER Project Officer

5. LEADER 2008-2013 A local business and community led rural development programme. Aims: Improve the competitiveness of farming and forestry Support a diverse and successful rural economy Develop vibrant and thriving rural communities Part of the Rural Development Programme for England Defra – Managing Authority Budget delegated to Local Action Group – public, private and civil society representatives - to deliver a Local Development Strategy.

6. Sussex Downs & Low Weald and Three Harbours & Coastal Plain LEADER 2008-2013

7. LEADER 2008-2013 Three Harbours & Coastal Plain Priorities Local food links Rural enterprise and heritage Addressing climate change and managing resources Upgrading and regenerating infrastructure Sussex Downs & Low Weald Priorities Supporting farmers and growers to modernise and diversify Revitalised woodlands Local food and produce Successful micro businesses and a thriving visitor economy Community hubs Connected rural communities Awarded capital grants up to £50,000

8. LEADER 2008-2013 Population (2001 census) Total grant awarded Number of projects Average grant Sussex Downs & Low Weald 145,000£1.6m83£19,782 Three Harbours & Coastal Plain 111,000£1.2m70£17,429 Total256,000£2.8m153£18,729 Total value of projects = £9.1m

11. OUTPUTS FOR THE RURAL ECONOMY New jobs created142 Existing jobs sustained320 Existing businesses supported 125 New business start ups13

12. RURAL COMMUNITY BENEFITS Population benefiting from improved services/facilities 70,919 New & existing village halls & community centres 19 New community shops5 New & existing recreational & educational facilities 22

13. About LEADER LEADER 2015-2020 Bruce Nairne, Nairne Ltd

14. Focus of Activity The National Pot £138 million – Possible allocation around £1.6m (including admin) – Allocated on rural population & rural challenges – Not all LAGs will necessarily be funded 70/30 Split – 70% of projects must directly support the rural economy – Remaining 30% must also contribute to improving the local rural economy Jobs and Growth

15. Policy Priorities 1.Increasing farm productivity 2.Support for increasing forestry productivity 3.Support for micro and small enterprises and farm diversification 4.Support for rural tourism 5.Provision of rural services 6.Support for cultural and heritage activity

16. Sussex Downs & Low Weald and Three Harbours & Coastal Plain LEADER 2008-2013

17. Proposed LEADER Areas 2015-2020

18. The Local Development Strategy Key determinant of who gets funded – Locally determined needs – Proposed activities and example projects – Clear programme management arrangements – Aligned to LEP rural priorities – Competitive bidding process Also needs to demonstrate – Integration – Innovation – Co-operation & Networking

19. Arun, Chichester and Hayling LEADER Area profile, needs and opportunities Hilary O’Sullivan, Nairne Ltd

20. What is included in the Arun, Chichester & Hayling LEADER area?

21. The Importance of the Environment

22. Farming and Food Strengths and opportunities Varied farming sector Strong, sophisticated and innovative horticulture Excellent examples farm diversification Exploitation of renewables to promote productivity Growing networks/brands for local food brands Scope to grow local purchasing by hospitality/retail sector New sectors such as viticulture

23. Agricultural Assets

24. Farming and Food Weaknesses and threats: Some tensions between environment and farm development electronic and mobile communications Flooding/flood defences and supply/extraction of water Farm succession/lack of younger farmers Weak IT and marketing skills in portions of land-based sector Viability of small growers/farming enterprises

25. Forestry Area contains extensive areas of woodland Includes broadleaf, coniferous, coppice and ancient forest Significant woodland bio-diversity Great scope to extend economic use of woodland Costs of providing access for effective exploitation and management Some innovative examples of wood-fuel usage

26. Woodland and Forestry Assets

27. Micro and Small Business Strengths and opportunities Highly qualified, entrepreneurial and innovative local residents Small business culture with excellent niche businesses Robust manufacturing sector with some high quality employers Strong, specialised marine engineering Centres of excellence for ‘traditional’ skills and crafts Local wealth/potential for local spending

28. Micro and Small Business Weaknesses and threats High proportion of seasonal and part-time employment Limited opportunities for business premises Balancing employment development with environmental concerns/planning constraints Retail sector in market/small towns challenged by e-purchasing Economics of providing access to work in a tight funding environment, particularly affecting less well-off residents

29. Tourism, Culture and Heritage High quality rural environment supports a well-established visitor economy Significant historic, archaeological and cultural assets Coast plus South Downs plus Market towns Un-met demand for good quality visitor accommodation Promotion of ‘whole area’ offer as well as ‘place-based’ offer Sectors with particular scope for further development: -Sport and active recreation (water based/nautical; equine sport; automotive) -Environment linked visitor activities – walking, cycling, bird watching -Sustainable development/promotion of South Downs Way -Public transport-based visiting

30. Rural services and communities Strong community spirit supports festivals/arts events; interest in local food projects; neighbourhood plans Older age profile High housing costs; pockets of deprivation Public transport network impacts access/affordability of access to work Challenge of sustaining village and market town services Poor broadband and mobile connectivity, with some connectivity ‘non- spots’

31. Arun, Chichester and Hayling Island DISCUSSION 1 LOCAL CHARACTERISTICS AND PRIORITIES SWOT – Are these right? Have we missed anything? Local Priorities – Are these the right ones?

32. Arun, Chichester and Hayling Island DISCUSSION 2 The TEN Project Challenge Farming/Forestry Productivity & Farm Diversification Micro and Small Enterprises Rural Tourism, Culture and Heritage Rural Services

33. Next Steps Draft Local Development Strategy (LDS) - end of July 2014 Further consultation- early August 2014 LDS submitted to Defra - 5 September 2014 Defra announces outcome - November 2014 New LEADER programme launched - January 2015 We will keep you informed Keep the project ideas coming Tell us if you are interested in joining the Local Action Group. Letters of support – will be useful Richard.Chalk@westsussex.gov.uk