News
Recent Developments | Grants / Funding | Legislation & Regulations | Our Key Achievements
If you have any news or information please contact Carrie at info@ruralhub.org.uk.
Soils Group
The Hub has been asked by Hub member Tom Newbery to support a Soils Discussion Group, and is very happy to do this. The Group is open to anyone with an interest in soils and learning more about aspects of soil health and fertility, and the first get-together will be on 19th November 2008 at 7pm at the Arthur Rank Centre, Stoneleigh Park.
The Soils Group is for Hub Members, led by Hub Members. You don’t have to be an expert (though we know that many of you are), you just need to have an interest in learning about soil. The discussion topics will be determined by you. The Hub Staff will support the Group by finding appropriate speakers to give talks and/or provide good, practical information. And, in the Spring, perhaps we will be able to organise some practical, on-farm demonstrations. To give you some ideas, topics could include retaining/improving soil health, overcoming compaction problems, drainage, the use of manures etc, but we stress that the Hub will respond to the topics which you want covered.
If you would like to come along to this group please contact Carrie at the Hub.
Contact: Carrie Robbins
Contact number: 02476 858242
Email: carrie@rase.org.uk
Support for Biodiversity Plan in Stour Area
The Stour Vision Group, supported by Stratford on Avon District Council would like to work with local farmers to improve the habitat for barn owls, tree sparrows and bats in Stour Valley in support of the parish biodiversity action plan. The scheme below will support Farmers/landowners in the southern most part of Warwickshire, the area which includes Quinton in the West to Tysoe in the East and as far South as Long Compton.
They will supply the boxes free of charge and have identified species experts who will work with them to identify suitable locations, although it is hoped some farmers are able to immediately identify suitable sites, which can be checked. The plan is to supply a number to each holding as some boxes will be inhabited by other wildlife before the owls have a chance to move it. Farmers will be free to install them to ensure their liabilities are covered.
Agricultural holdings are ideal as they are usually quiet and provide a good varied natural environment. So far we have had tremendous interest in this scheme and Natural England are hoping to join us to support the tree sparrow, one of their priority species. This is proving to be popular with landowners who are looking to improve their conservation, and also those who just enjoy seeing these marvellous creatures in their natural environment. Where barn owl boxes have been installed in other parts of Warwickshire, there has been almost 100% occupancy!
We hope to organize a get together to finalise plans for this, and I would be very please to take individual expressions of interest or queries on this.
Farmers or landowners in South Warwickshire are invited to get in touch with me using the contact details below.
Contact: Julia Aratoon
Contact number: 01789 260637
Email: julia.aratoon@stratford-dc.gov.uk
West Midlands Tastiest Sausage Competition 2009
Heart of England Fine Foods invites you to enter the 2009 West Midlands tastiest Sausage Competition. In a series of county Sizzle Offs, butchers and prodcuers from across the region will be battling it out for two titles; producers are welcome to enter a sausage in each of the categories:
The West Midlands tastiest Breakfast Sausage Award
The West Midlands tastiest Speciality Sausage Award
The Warwickshire Sizzle Off will take place on Wednesday 21st January 2009 at AGA Shop, Stratford Upon Avon.
If you are interested in takingpart you need to apply by 28th November. Please visit the HEFF website for further details and the application form.
Contact: Vicki Collins
Contact number: 0121 3778724
Website: www.heff.co.uk
RABI Gateway Project
Help to gain skills to generate extra income from outside the farm
The RABI (Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution) is running a project that aims to help working farming families take control of their financial future.
RABI’s Gateway Project will provide funding for qualifying families to secure the necessary skills development and accreditation to help them increase their potential.
For further details, please contact RABI on 01865 727888 (all calls treated in confidence).
LEADER - Get funding to support your rural community
A Central Warwickshire Villages bid is being prepared to secure £1.5m funding for parishes in Rugby Borough abd Warwick District areas. This will provide seed funding for local projects that fall into the following broad categories:
- Events and activities that encourage communities to come together to create artworks and performance
- Support for communities to develop thier own local food production through community gardens
- Developing links between communities and the land based industries in and around them
They are now looking for innovative ideas for projects that could be funded through the programme to include in the bid. They welcome your comments and support to help them deliver their final proposal.
Contact: LEADER Project, Garden Organic
Contact number: 02476 217741
Email: ideas@warwickshireleader.net
Website: www.warwickshireleader.net/ideas
Farmers’ Weekly Farmer of the Year Awards
The Farmers’ Weekly Awards for 2008 were announced at a ceremony in London on 27th October. Here at the Hub, we noticed that there were no Warwickshire enterprises represented amongst the 42 finalists for these Awards – in fact, representatives of the Midlands as a whole were few and far between. We think this is a great pity, as we know of many very strong farm and rural businesses amongst Warwickshire Rural Hub Members. We think you are hiding your light under a bushel and we would like to encourage you to consider entering next year – even if you do not reach the very final stages, much can be learned from entering these and other awards competitions.
Do take a look at details of the Winners’ enterprises in Farmers’ Weekly on 31st October or check out www.fwi.co.uk
A couple of years ago the Hub persuaded Farmers Weekly Farmer of the Year Robert Law to speak at a Hub event. We want your feedback: we would very much like to hear from you which of the winners you think you could learn most from, and we will do our utmost to attract them to a Hub event after Christmas.
Contact: Carrie Robbins
Contact number: 02476 858242
Email: carrie@rase.org.uk
RDPE Funding Available
Rural Enterprise Grants (REG)
The Rural Enterprise Grant (REG) is a capital grants programme funded under the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) and is available to farmers and specific rural micro-businesses in the West Midlands region. The Rural Enterprise Grant (REG) can fund small scale diversification and business development projects for the benefit of rural businesses. Funds are available for eligible applicants for investments in Environmental Technologies, Food and Drink, Tourism and Livestock related activities.
The Rural Enterprise Grant (REG) will be administered by Herefordshire Council.
How do I apply for a Rural Enterprise Grant?
Read the REG information leaflet located in the 'Related Documents' at http://www.advantagewm.co.uk/working-with-us/rdpe/
Then contact the REG Scheme Manager at Herefordshire Council to discuss your proposal and confirm that you, where you live and your project may be eligible for funding.
If it looks as if you are eligible the Scheme Manager will ask you to complete a Stage 1 Enquiry Form, which can be downloaded in Word or PDF format. You will also need to complete a State Aid declaration to let us know if you have received public funding over the last 3 years.
If the details of your project meet the initial criteria and priorities of the scheme, the Scheme Manager will invite you to complete a full application.
If you have not already done so, the Scheme Manager will also put you in touch with Business Link West Midlands who will help you assess any need for training or business advice. Funding is conditional on this.
Open Call for Strategic Investment Grants
AWM are currently inviting applications for Strategic Investment Grants particularly looking to support investments in:
Fruit and Vegetable Packing and Processing.
Supply Chain Facilities in the Livestock Sector (dairy, beef, sheep, pigs, poultry meat and eggs)
Centralised Storage and Processing Facilities for Combinable Crops
How do I apply for Strategic Investment Grants?
Review the information provided on this page and within the specification document available on the AWm website to check that you and your project is eligible for funding.
If you are eligible, send details of your project, answering any specific questions, to the relivant AWM contact listed below.
If your project meets the requirements and the funding is available AWM will send you an application pack and invite you to produce a full application. If you have not already done so, AWM will also put you in touch with Business Link West Midlands who will help you assess any need for training or business advice. Funding is conditional on this.
In addition to this you will need to secure full planning permission and/or listed building and other relevant consents (where this is a legal requirement) before submitting your full application.
Once received, your application will be appraised prior to consideration by the Agency’s Investment Decision Group. If approved, AWM will issue you with a funding contract and you can begin work on your project.
Please do not complete a project application form until you have made contact with a named contact as detailed below. Also note that AWM will only except applications made on the RDPE application form which is available through the AWM RDPE Managers.
How do I find out more?
Details of all the bidding rounds detailed on the AWm website http://www.advantagewm.co.uk/working-with-us/rdpe/
For more information contact AWM through the details shown below or alternatively contact your local Rural Hub Co-ordinator
Your Advantage West Midlands contacts :
Bob Gregson
RDPE Manager (Food and Drink)
bobgregson@advantagewm.co.uk
T: 0121 380 3623
Jamie Inglis
RDPE Policy Manager (Livestock and Environmental Technologies)
jamieinglis@advantagewm.co.uk
T: 0121 503 3226
Jo Jury
Rural Development Manager (Tourism)
jojury@advantagewm.co.uk
T: 0121 503 3220
Contact: Emma Smith
Contact number: 0121 503 3222
Email: emmasmith@advantagewm.co.uk
Website: www.advantagewm.co.uk
Mapping Local Food Webs Regional Co-ordinators
CPRE have an excellent opportunity for anyone passionate about local foods. CPRE needs 6 candidates to co-ordinate project work in 6 regions of England (South East, South West, East Midlands, West Midlands, North West, and Yorkshire and Humber) to map local food webs (local food networks).
This mapping local food webs project is a strand of the Making Local Food Work programme, a collaborative partnership of organisations led by the Plunkett Foundation. This post is funded through the Making Local Food Work programme which aims to improve access to local food for local people and that has been made possible by The National Lottery through the Big Lottery Fund. CPRE is leading the Mapping Local Food Webs project within the programme and will work in close collaboration with
Sustain: the alliance for better food and farming.
This role is a remote working role, so candidates will be expected to be able to work from home. You will also be expected to be able to travel easily within your region and to attend meetings and training around the country, for which all expenses will be paid.
For more information please visit www.cpre.org.uk
Contact: Thea Platt
Contact number: 01424 715306
Website: www.cpre.org.uk
Change of dates for the Royal Show 2009
The Royal Show dates for 2009 will be Tuesday 7th – Friday 10th July.
The decision to change the dates was made by the Society’s Trustees following consultation with exhibitors and other Show Societies and will enable the Show to sit more comfortably next to other events in the calendar.
Hugh Oliver-Bellasis, Chairman of the Royal Agricultural Society of England commented on the change of dates. “The Society thought long and hard about the change of dates for its prestigious flagship event. We surveyed opinion among exhibitors, trade exhibitors and show goers. The consensus was that to move the Royal Show back by a couple of days would help it to fit in better to the national Show schedule and would be more convenient for both livestock exhibitors and stand holders”.
Contact: Royal Agricultural Society of England
Contact number: 02476 696969
Website: www.royalshow.org.uk
Business Link Experiences
The Hub is collating information on the standard of service that Hub members have received from Business Link. If you have had any experience, good or bad, of dealing with Business Link we would like to hear from you.
Contact: Carrie Robbins
Contact number: 02476 858242
Email: carrie@rase.org.uk
CLA's Anti-Fly-Tipping Campaign
Have you been affected by fly-tipping? Following the launch of their anti-fly-tipping campaign the CLA is asking for farmers and landowners to alert them of all fly-tipping incidents. They are working in conjunction with the Countryside Alliance, the NFU and MP's to lobby for changes in the Environmental Protection Act (1990) so that landowners are better protected from fly-tipping. If you have been affected please contact Derek Holliday as case studies and evidence is required to support the campaign.
Contact: Derek Holliday
Contact number: 020 7460 7941
Food Development Workshops
The Development Kitchen at University College Birmingham has agreed to work with Hub Members in the West Midlands on a range of menu or dish development. Some suggested topics for the workshops are:
Rural Pub Workshop
Sourcing regional produce, cookery and knife skills, making sauces, preparation and cooking of meat, fish, poultry and game dishes with a traditional and authentic theme. Pastry and deserts.
Farm shop Workshop
Sausage making using regional recipes, Pork and game pie using traditional methods. Pates and terrines meat, fish and vegetable. Making soups and sauces for resale. Marinades for meat and poultry.
Bed and Breakfast Workshop
Concentrating on evening meals and deserts that can be pre-prepared for owner operated businesses.
Baking/Yeast Goods Workshop
Bread making including regional bread and pastries.
We would aim to run these workshops in the autumn and there would be a nominal fee charged.
If you are interested in any of these workshops are have a suggestion for any other type of food production workshop then please contact the Hub to discuss further. Once we have ascertained thelevel of interest then we will confirm dates & availability.
Contact: Carrie Robbins
Contact number: 02476 858242
Email: carrie@rase.org.uk
ASDA’s Local Sourcing Hub for the West Midlands Region
“Local sourcing is expanding rapidly”, claims Rob Ward from Green Fields, ASDA's Local Sourcing Hub for the
West Midlands region.
Green Fields are now looking for fresh produce producers to join them in supplying ASDA stores across the region. Their job is to make it as simple as possible for the producer by organising all the ‘easy to understand’ paperwork and by co-ordinating all communications with the retailer. The producer can deliver the produce to Greenfields in Telford, or they can deliver straight to the store themselves.
Over 1.5 million people per week are visiting ASDA stores in the West Midlands region. Each producer is taken on merit and can start with one product to one store if that is what they want.
Key categories urgently needed:
* Fresh produce
* Fresh Meat: beef, lamb, pork, chicken
* Beer
* Dairy
* Chilled ready meals
If you would like to find out more about joining Green Fields in supplying ASDA stores, please contact Julie Link at Green Fields Farm on 01952 603747 or email:Julie@greenfieldsonline.co.uk
Contact: Julie Link
Contact number: 01952 603747
Email: julie@greenfieldsonline.co.uk
Farm Waste Tool
The NFU is working with the environmental guidance website, Netregs, to trial a new electronic training designed to raise farmers' awareness of and compliance with agricultural waste controls. Members areencourage to visit the website, www.netregs.gov.uk/learning and try out the tool. Once using the tool Netregs would appreciate any feedback.
Contact: Netregs
Website: www.netregs.gov.uk/learning
Warwickshire Food & Drink Gastromap
Warwickshire's visitor information website has a Gastromap that includes information on local producers and farm shops as well as details on restaurants, cafes and micro-breweries. Please visit the Gastromap at www.warwickshire.gov.uk/gastromap to see if your information is included. If you would like to add or amend your details please contact:
Contact: Jim Atkinson
Contact number: 01926 412210
Email: jamesatkinson@warwickshire.gov.uk
Website: www.warwickshire.gov.uk
The Food Safety Act 1990: a Guide for Food Businesses
The Food Standards Agency is seeking views and comments on the new draft FSA Guidance Notes on the Food Safety Act 1990. Closing date for responses is 11th July 2008.
Full details of the consultation, including the draft guide for food businesses is available on the Food Standards Agency website.
Website: www.food.gov.uk/consultations
The Hub Celebrates its 1,000th Member - October 2007
After the floods, Foot & Mouth Disease outbreaks and Bluetongue at last there is cause for celebration for the rural economy as the Hub reaches the milestone of attracting its 1,000th Hub Member.
The 1,000th Hub member is Jeff Clarke, aged 30, who lives with his wife and daughter on the family farm in Grandborough Fields, Rugby. Woodbine Farm is 400 acres and has been owned by the Clarke family for 50 years.
Jeff has been interested in rare breed animals since his grandmother gave him his first rare breed sheep at 8 years old. when he was looking for something to diversify into this seemed a natural progression. The popularity of his rare breed meat has grown locally and now Jeff & his wife, Anne-Marie, have set up Woodbine Cottage meats as a mail-order business for rare breed red meat from farm reared produce. They hope to supply local restaurants with their meat and have recently opened a farm shop where they sell the meat including homemade sausages and burgers, alongside the homemade pickles and preserves that his mother produces.
Jeff has a small flock of award winning Manx Loaghton sheep and also keeps Dexter Cattle, Tamworth & Saddleback pigs. They have 150 free range hens and rear their own Christmas poultry of Bronze Norfolk double breasted turkeys.
Jeff is an active member of the rural community in Warwickshire and is currently the Chairman of the Manx Society, a member of the Rare Breeds Survival Trust and FWAG.
Contact: Jeff Clarke
Contact number: 01788 521469
Email: woodbinefarm@ambamail.com
Website: www.woodbinecottagemeats.co.uk
New Qualifications To Help Reduce Accidents And Ill Health On Farms
New health and safety qualifications aimed at people working in farming have been recognised by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA). A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) initiative, vocational qualifications (VQs) for health and safety in agriculture are the first such qualifications designed specifically for the farming industry and will pave the way for a new generation of training courses to tackle the industry’s poor health and safety record.
Last year 47 people were killed in farm-related accidents, and many more suffered serious injury or ill health. In the last five years 231 people have died, including nine children under the age of sixteen. The aim of introducing the VQs is to focus attention on health and safety and reduce the number of injuries and deaths caused by accidents on farms. Key to achieving a sustainable change is to increase the level of knowledge, skills and competencies within the industry.
HSE has developed the qualifications with the help of a number of organisations including the National Farmers’ Union and the Transport and General Workers’ Union, awarding bodies for the land-based sector, such as Lantra and National Proficiency Test Council, and the QCA.
“The farming industry’s health and safety record is poor, and these VQs are aimed at anyone working in the industry, from farm workers to supervisors and managers,” explained HSE Inspector Alastair Mitchell. “These qualifications should help improve the education, skills and competences of the workforce and contribute towards making farms safer places to work.”
Qualifications available under the scheme will be pitched at three different levels. The Level 2 Certificate, Working Safely (in Agriculture/Horticulture), is designed for anyone working in the industry or about to join it, the Level 3 Certificate, Controlling Risks to Health and Safety, is aimed at self employed farmers/growers, foreman and supervisors, unit managers, and worker safety representatives, whilst the Level 4 Certificate in Managing Risks to Health and Safety, is for senior managers and owners of large agricultural or horticultural businesses. The Level 2 and 3 Certificates require candidates to complete a multiple choice question paper (with level 3 also requiring a work place based assignment), while at Level 4 the certificate is awarded for successful completion of a short answer exam paper and a workplace based assignment.
Training courses for the health and safety in agriculture VQs have been developed and are available through agricultural colleges and from a national network of training providers. All three programmes will have a strong practical bias, and are geared broadly to mainstream farming and production horticulture. Level 2 has a focus on the identification of farm hazards and typical control measures, and Level 3 requires candidates to undertake risk assessment. At Level 4, management issues such as producing health and safety policies will be covered. At the end of the training period each candidate will be assessed to check that they have reached the required standard before the qualification certificate is awarded.
Contact: HSE InfoLine
Contact number: 0845 345 0055
Website: www.hse.gov.uk/contact
Bluetongue
For the most recent information relating to Bluetongue please visit the Defra website.
To subscribe a a free news alert service from defra please visit www.defra.gov.uk/animalhealth/alerts/subscribe
Contact: Defra
Website: www.defra.gov.uk/news/latest/2007/animal-bluetongue-1018.htm
Avian Influenza Update
It is vital that all bird keepers in the UK continue to practice the highest levels of biosecurity and be vigilant for any signs of disease. All poultry keepers responsible for a premises with 50 or more birds are legally required to register with the GB Poultry Register. Defra strongly encourages those with less than 50 birds to register voluntarily.
There is currently no evidence to suggest widespread disease in the wild bird population, but enhanced surveillance is taking place and poultry keepers in the area are reminded to remian vigilant and report any signs of disease immediately. There is no evidence of disease in domestic birds.
For full details and information please visit the Defra website at www.defra.gov.uk or call the Defra Helpline 08459 335577. Bird Keepers can also call the Animal Health recorded information line for the latest updates on 0844 884 4600.
Contact: Defra
Contact number: 08459 335577
Website: www.defra.gov.uk
Free Business Skills and Training Audit
Find out how your business can benefit from training.
Do you need training but can't afford time out frm the business?
Would you like to develop management, communication and customer skills?
Whether you are diversifying into new markets, expanding your existing business or developing the right people with the right skills finding suitable and effective training can be a real challenge.
Rural Hub members can benefit from a free business skills and training audit to identify skills gaps and recommend ways to develop both performance and knowledge through a programme of training and work-based learning.
Wendy Harrison, Rural Hub Steering Group Member says:
"None of us can afford to stagnate, we all need to grasp opportunities to move our businesses forward. One of the ways to do this is to continually educate and develop ourselves and our teams."
There is a wide rangeof training available to meet your business needs:
- team leading for supervisors
- management and leadership development
- hospitality and catering skills
- customer service excellence
- food safety and hygiene
- health, safety and fire
- first aid
For further details please contact:
Contact: Wendy Harrison
Contact number: 02476 302409
Email: wharrison@bubbenhallhouse.freeserve.co.uk
Website: www.bubbenhalhouse.com
LEAF (Linking Environment and Farming) 'Speak Out'
LEAF's 'Speak Out@ initiative encourages farmers to improve their communication skills and provide them with the know how to explain 'what they do and why they do it'. For further details please contact LEAF.
Contact: Roly Puzey
Contact number: 024 7641 3911
Email: roly.puzey@leafuk.org
The Olympics - Business Opportunities
The Olympics will bring business opportunities for the region. West Midlands Business Council is coordinating information and working closely with the regional agencies to promote the regions enterprises. WMBC Director, James Watkins, can advise you if you are interested in seeing where your business might be able to grab an opportunity.
Contact: James Watkins
Contact number: 0121 245 0140
Email: j.watkins@wmbusinesscouncil.org.uk
Free Carbon Audit
Natural England's Farm Demonstration Programme working with the Forestry Commission is funding a national project looking at carbon auditing over 200 farming/horticultural businesses across England.
Through this project you will have access to some of the leading scientific advisers and research astabllishments who are involved with tackling the issues of climate change and GHG emissions.
For furtherinformation or if yu would like a free carbon audit of your farm please contact:
Contact: Cheryl Brown
Contact number: 01223 813622
Email: cheryl@laurencegould.com
FREE RASE Membership for Agriculture Students
The Royal Agricultural Society of England (RASE) is offering one year's freee membership to final year students in a demonstration ofit's commitment to support the future of farming. This exciting new initiative will offer students on the final year of an agricultural or related course a variety of benefits to support them through their last year of study.
Contact: Membership Department
Contact number: 024 7685 8303
Email: membership@rase.org.uk
New Product Development Kitchen Facility
Birmingham College of Food Tourism and Creative Studies have announced the launch of a product and recipe development suite for regional food and drink entrepreneurs. The new product development kitchen facility can be used to progress your recipe development ideas and undertake market research into your new product. The BITE (Business Innovations in Taste and Excellence)facility is available to Small and Medium Enterprises based within the West Midlands.
Contact: Mr Don Hacker
Contact number: 0121 243 0141
Email: bitenpd@bcftcs.ac.uk
Website: www.bcftcs.ac.uk
Foot & Mouth Disease
For the latest information including the most recent import and export restrictions regulations please visit the Defra website.
Website: www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/diseases/fmd/latest-situation/index.htm
Natural England - Agri-environmental Funding Available
If there is anyone out there interested in applying for Higher Level Stewardship, or in adding extra works to an existing agreement now is a good time to do so. The availability of additional funding for the scheme has given Natural England greater flexibility in approving schemes which provide good environmental gains and represent value for money whether they are inside a target area or not. Natural England will consider each application on its merits and are currently considering a number of good single interest applications (for farmland birds for instance) as well as that those that meet the schemes wider objectives of landscape, biodiversity, resource protection, historic environment and public access. For further information please contact your local Natural England adviser
Contact number: 01905 763355
Women and Work Programme - Raising skills and unlocking potential
This programme aims to raise recruitment levels in sectors where women are underrepresented; increasing earning potential and aiding career progression.
The Project provides Skills Coaches and mentors who encourage and support eligible women to take advantage of funding towards training costs, ultimately leading to career development and progression.
Funding for Training
Training should be aimed towards supervisory or management positions and those areas requiring technical skills
Employers are required to make a financial contribution of £250 per participant. In return employers will receive a £650 training grant, per participant, upon completion of a minimum approved training expenditure of £650
Eligibility
To be eligible for funded training you should be employed in a full-time or part-time position or self-employed within one of the following industries:
agriculture
environmental conservation
fencing
game and wildlife management
horticulture
land-based engineering
landscape
trees and timber
For further details contact:
Contact: Tony or Chris Walmsley
Contact number: 01432 880690
Email: enquiries@wyverntrainingservices.com
RDPE Funding Available
Advantage West Midlands have recently opened a call for bids for RDPE under the title ‘Strategic Investment Grant’. There are two bids open so far; one for livestock, and the other for fruit and vegetable processing.
The grant rate is 40% of eligible costs AWM arelooking to fund projects costing a minimum of £156,250 (i.e. a minimum grant of £62,500).
If you think you are eligible please check you fit the citeria on the AWM RDPE webpage at:
http://www.advantagewm.co.uk/working-with-us/rural-development-programme-for-england.aspx
Then contact Emma Smith at AWM:
Emma Smith
RDPE Team Coordinator
Advantage West Midlands
email: emmasmith@advantagewm.co.uk
tel: 0121 503 3222
Or call Carrie Robbins at the Hub.
Contact: Emma Smith
Contact number: 0121 503 3222
Email: emmasmith@advantagewm.co.uk
Website: www.advantagewm.co.uk
Access to Nature Grant Scheme
Access to Nature is a £25 million grant scheme to encourage people from all backgrounds to understand, access and enjoy our natural environment. Funded by the BIG Lottery Fund's Changing Spaces programme and Natural England, the scheme will focus non threebroad themes:
- Community awareness and active participation
- Education, learning and volunteering
- Welcoming, well-managed and wildlife-rich places.
Contact: Peter Loat
Contact number: 01902 693173 or 07769 641550
Email: accesstonature@naturalengland.org.uk
Website: www.naturalengland.org.uk/accesstonature
Bioenergy Capital Grants
A new £4m fund to support the installation of biomass fuelled heating an combined heat and power (CHP) systems was launched in April. Grants areoffered for up to 40% of the difference in cost of installing a biomass boiler, CHP system or anaerobic digester compared with the installation of a fossil fuel alternative.
Website: www.bioenergycapitalgrants.org.uk
Renewable Energy Interest Free Loan from The Carbon Trust
Why run your business on renewable energy?
Switching to a renewable energy source makes sound economic sense for your business.
Installing renewable equipment such as solar heating, a biomass boiler or a ground source heat pump can lower your operating costs. It is also an effective way to cut your carbon emissions.
Another benefit of using renewable energy is that it can improve your reputation as a socially responsible business. And upgrading to new equipment needn’t be expensive.
The Carbon Trust can offer an interest free loan to small or medium sized businesses to help cover the cost. You can borrow from £5,000 to £100,000 – with the repayments based on the savings - you stand to make by using less energy.
Contact number: 0800 0852005
Website: www.carbontrust.co.uk
Redundant Building Grant Scheme - WARWICKSHIRE
Staffordshire County Council is running a Redundant Building Grant Scheme, designed to bring redundant buildinggs back into productive economic use. The scheme was introduced in September last year and covers the rural areas and market towns of Staffordshire, Warwickshire and Solihull. The scheme has been very well recieved, with three awards for grant already having been made. The scheme runs until March 2010 with grants of up to 25% of eligible costs up to a maximum of £62,500 up for grabs to successful applicants. For more information please contact:
Contact: The Redundant Building Grant Scheme
Contact number: 01785 277706
Email: rbgscheme@staffordshire.gov.uk
Changes to Environmental Stewardship following approval of the RDPE
Changes to Environmental Stewardship following approval of the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE).
Any Environmental Stewardship agreements offered from 1st January 2007 were offered on a provisional basis pending European Union (EU) approval of the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE).
The EU has now approved the RDPE and this has resulted in a number of changes to Environmental Stewardship, including the removal of Management Plans as eligible options. These options have been removed because the EU Commission was concerned about the need to ensure that agri-environment payments are only made for actions going beyond the legislative baseline (Cross Compliance and Statutory Management Requirements).
Natural England has been contacting those agreement holders who are affected by this to discuss their agreements. Natural England cannot begin to revise agreements until the Programme has been formally approved, i.e. it has been published in the EU Official Journal, which is expected in early 2008. In the interim, there is a Q&A which provides background information on the changes to Environmental Stewardship and this can be found on the Natural England website, www.naturalengland.org.uk
Contact: Natural England
Website: www.naturalengland.org.uk
Animal Transport Certificates of Competence
From 30 April 2008, under the EU Welfare of Animals Order, anyone involved in the commercial transport of farm livestock and horses for economic return on short journeys over 40 miles (65km) and under 8 hours is legally required to hold a Certificate of Competence (Short Journey).
Warwickshire Rural Hub in conjunction with Mid-Warwickshire Training Group offered Hub members the opportunity to sit a written paper-based test resulting the gaining of a Certificate of Competence (Short Journey).
The Lantra Awards Certificate of Competence has two modules that cover the following species:
Module 1
• Cattle
• Sheep
• Horses
• Pigs
• Goats
Module 2
• Birds
The tests for each module were offered at a cost of £35.25 and were be held at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire.
If you still need to sit this examination please contact Jill Salt at Mid Warwickshire Training Group direct.
If transporting animals over 65km and for more than eight hours, you will require a Long Journey certificate of competence. Lantra Awards will be able to advise on the test requirements and availability. Please contact Lantra Awards on
02476 419703 or info@lantra-awards.co.uk
Contact: Jill Salt, Mid Warks Training Group
Contact number: 01926 495024
Email: mwtg@supanet.com
Self-Employed Bookkeepers
Any person undertaking bookkeeping, accountancy or payroll services on a self-employed basis needs to be registered under the new Money Laundering Regulations with either H M Revenue and Customs or other appointed Supervisory Body by 1st July 2008. Failure to register and follow the procedures can result in criminal proceedings.
Registration via the Inland Revenue will cost £95. The In stitute of Agricultural Secretaries and Administrators (IAgSA) are offering applicants a package that includes access to information and services that keep you up to daet with current legislation, together with Money Laundering registration for an additional £15.
Contact: IAgSA
Contact number: 02476 696592
Email: iagsa@iagsa.co.uk
Website: www.iagsa.co.uk
New Regulations – Pre-Treatment of Waste Going to Landfill
New rules came into force from 30 October that are designed to encourage more recycling while reducing the impact of waste that continues to be land filled. These new requirements stem from the landfill Directive and mean that from 30 October non-hazardous waste must now be ‘treated’ before it can be land filled. This will prohibit farmers from delivering untreated waste for landfill disposal. Sorting and segregating of waste materials will count as ’treatment’. Liquid wastes will be banned from landfill. For more information on the pre-treatment requirement visit the Environment Agency website.
Contact: Agency Waste Hotline
Contact number: 0845 603 3113
Website: www.environment-agency.gov.uk/business/1745440/444663/landfill/1789720/
Guidance on the status of timber as waste
The Environment Agency has issued new guidance on the status of wood as waste following the work of the joint WRAP/Agency waste protocols group. Virgin timber will not be considered waste, clean non-virgin timber will remain regulated, often through exemptions while treated timber will be regulated as any other waste.
Virgin timber includes:
Wood off-cuts, shavings or sawdust from sawmills and manufacturers dealing in virgin timber, or cuttings and brush from tree felling or other forestry operations.
The work of the Warwickshire Rural Hub and the Rural Forum is putting Warwickshire firmly on the map not only regionally by nationally. The achievements in the last year include:-
- The Hub has had a further increase in membership and has recently signed it’s 1000th Member.
- Launch of Hearty Breakfast – an initiative by B & Bs and restaurants whose owners provide a truly local breakfast from Warwickshire’s farms and small producers.
- Securing of funding for the Resource Efficiency Club – the first such Club
in the country which is run for the sole benefit of farm & rural businesses.
To join or request further information email info@ruralhub.org.uk - The formation of the Midlands Sports Horse Breeding Group whose objective
is “to work together to breed, produce, market and sell top-class sports horses
for the global market and establish a commercially viable UK sports horse
industry”.
To join or request further information email info@ruralhub.org.uk - The establishment of closer links with the other Hubs in the West Midlands and the formation of the regional collaborative group “Rural Hubs – West Midlands”.
- We delivered 31 topical, relevant workshops offering understandable, practical presentations by experts and case study speakers last year that attracted over 900 delegates.
For information about recent and upcoming events see our Events page.