Two Parish Council's in Eden will be able to develop rural projects after funding support was agreed this week from the county council's local committee for Eden.
The committee agreed to grant £500 to Culgaith Parish Council and Lazonby Parish Council from its Vital Villages programme budget. The programme enables local communities to plan their own futures through ‘Parish Plans’ and to implement their own ideas and have easy access to various funding streams.
County councillor Gary Strong, chairman of the local committee said:
"The Vital Villages programme plays an important part in rural regeneration. We believe local people are best placed to tackle the issues facing their rural communities. A parish plan is an ideal way to gather the views of everyone in the community. The plans helps support the bids for funding by demonstrating that the projects have strong community support. A lack of key services in rural areas contribute to social exclusion and can have a negative effect on quality of life. This funding will enable these rural communities to develop projects that will be of great benefit to local residents."