Public input for future LEADER funding in Highland

11th June 2014

The Council will be running a series of public consultation events across the Highlands to give communities the chance to pass on their views on how the new 2014-2020 LEADER Development strategy could support local development over the coming years.

Feedback from the public sessions will be used to prepare a strategy which has to be submitted to the Scottish Government for approval in September this year, in order to secure funds for the new programme.

The first event takes place next Tuesday (17 June) in Portree with other events running until 2 July in Dornie, Kinlochewe, Durness, Thurso, Golspie, Tain, Alness, Dingwall, Fortrose, Caol, Fort William, Inverness and Nairn.

Chairman of The Highland Council's Planning, Development and Infrastructure Committee, Councillor Thomas Prag said: "One of the key principles behind LEADER is to have decisions made on grant awards at as local a level as possible, to reflect the differing needs and priorities of communities throughout Highland. Therefore this opportunity for communities to give us feedback and an idea of how they see LEADER being able to support future developments at this stage of preparation is a good way to ensure we capture important information."

The public consultation events are as follows:

· Tuesday 17 June Tigh na Sgire, Portree 3-5pm & 7-9pm

· Wednesday 18 June Dornie & District Comm Hall 2.30-4.30pm

· Wednesday 18 June Kinlochewe Village Hall 7-9pm

· Thursday 19 June Durness Village Hall 3-5pm & 7-9pm

· Monday 23 June Tain Parish Church Hall 3-5pm & 7-9pm

· Monday 23 June Nairn Courthouse 3-5pm & 7-9pm

· Tuesday 24 June Perrins Centre, Alness 3-5pm & 7-9pm

· Tuesday 24 June Council Offices, Dingwall 3-5pm & 7-9pm

· Wednesday 25 June Caol Community Centre 3-5pm

· Wednesday 25 June Lochaber House, Fort William 7-9pm

· Wednesday 25 June Fortrose Town Hall 3-5pm & 7-9pm

· Monday 30 June Fountain Rd Church Hall, Golspie 3-5pm & 7-9pm

· Monday 30 June Netley Centre, Inverness 3-5pm

· Monday 30 June Waterside Hotel, Inverness 7-9pm

· Wednesday 2 July Pentland Hotel, Thurso 3-5pm & 7-9pm

The last LEADER programme in the Highlands saw £14.7 million of grant funding being awarded to over 360 community projects.

Information about all of these events is available by visiting www.highlandleader.com or you can contact the LEADER team directly on 01463 702 548 for further information.