The Bude Community Network Panel meeting on Monday, January 7 provided an update for the Community Led Local Development fund.

Facilitator, Ian Saltern, briefed members of the panel on funding opportunities for the Bude area.

He started with an apology to other parish representatives, as the funding was only available for specific areas of Bude.

Community Led Local Development (CLLD) aims to provide pathways to better economic opportunities for people and businesses in the most deprived areas of Cornwall, strengthening local availability of employment, skills and training, and developing the ability of local residents to access these.

CLLD is delivered through four Local Action Groups across Cornwall with each funding the activity in their area, to achieve the objectives of the Local Development Strategy. The Atlantic and Moor CLLD covers the area of Cornwall from Newquay North and East to the Cornwall border, and specifically the areas of Newquay, Bodmin, St Columb Major, Tintagel, Launceston and Bude.

The entire budget for the project stands at £11.5-million, with the North Cornwall area receiving £2.48-million.

To be eligible for funding projects must aim to achieve one or more of the objectives from the Local Development Strategy and be based in a core area or, if the project activity takes place in a functional area, it must be of benefit for people within a core area.

The core area of Bude stretches from Bude Football Club, across to most of the housing estate behind the Morrisons Superstore, going down into Berries Avenue and reaching the Kings Hill industrial estate.

Ian said: “My job is to advise the ‘what you need to fund’ and spread the word for the scheme. I can be contacted for any ideas, and we will also direct to other funding available if you don’t meet the criteria for this.”

Ian went on to describe the sorts of projects that would be eligible to receive funding. He said: “Primarily the schemes goals are; to remove barriers for businesses; business development; tackle fuel policy issues, and to address transport barriers.”

Ian was adamant that any ideas would have to prove to be value for money.

He continued by giving specific business ideas to the panel: “Provide a recycle centre; train upcycling; equipment for marketing a business; a website development business; provide laptops or business support. One of the applications we support, are those looking to start a business.”

Although most applications could take up to six months, Ian said: “We also run a small grant scheme, with a maximum budget of £10,000 and minimum being £1,000, which would take six weeks for a decision.”

However, retail businesses aren’t eligible for the funding, but E-Commerce businesses, selling items via an online platform would be able to apply.

Cllr Peter La Broy, said: “It is a very limited area that can benefit, but EU money has actually started to flow into the area.”

Ian said: “Some perceptions will think this is all over (due to Brexit), but we have to over-come this way of thinking and say we have this funding available till at least 2020.”

Ian was adamant that any outcome regarding Brexit wouldn’t affect the funding available.

There is currently an information only website: www.communityledcornwall.co.uk,

If you have a project you think may be eligible for CLLD assistance, call 01209 615067 or email [email protected]