What Happens Next?

The current LEADER+ fund ended on 31st December 2006. LEADER will now form part of the new Scottish Rural Development Plan 2007-2013. This is currently being finalised by the Scottish Executive prior to being submitted to the European Commission for agreement.

The SLRP is committed to ensuring that we build on the success of the LEADER+ Programme and that a community lead grassroots approach continues into the future. SLRP is also committed to maximising the level of funding available to rural South Lanarkshire. A key element of this process is the establishment of a local strategy that clearly identifies rural needs, issues and opportunities.

Using the LEADER+ approach, the SLRP has developed "Working Towards Sustainable Rural Communities". This will be responsive to emerging community and policy issues and annual action plans will be produced to monitor activity and ensure it remains current. The rural strategy has the following five key themes:

• Developing local communities
• Enhancing environmental assets
• Improving rural transport
• Widening economic opportunity
• Promoting the rural area

The SLRP operates as one of the seven themed partnerships under the umbrella of the South Lanarkshire Community Planning Partnership. The SLRP has adopted an integrated approach to economic, social and environmental issues nad has successfully worked with communities to identify priorities.

Partners include: South Lanarkshire Council, Scottish Enterprise Lanarkshire, Business Gateway, Communities Scotland, Local Health Care Co-operative, Scottish Natural Heritage, Chamber of Commerce, Association of Local Voluntary Organisations (ALVO), Scottish Agricultural College, SOLVE, Youth Council, Community Councils, Forestry Commissions, Biodiversity Partnership, Better Government for Older People, Strathclyde Police, NFU Scotland.