New Moray Local Action Group members wanted

Moray LEADER is now recruiting for Local Action Group members for the 2014-2020 programme.

Moray has been approved for funding to operate the 2014-2020 LEADER Programme, with European Union and Scottish Government funding of over £3.4 million. The programme will be overseen by a Local Action Group (LAG) for which volunteers are now being recruited.

The LAG manages the operational and strategic delivery of the LEADER programme and this includes awarding financial support, developing projects and overseeing the programme’s administration. It will also link with the Fisheries LAG being formed in order to deliver the Fisheries programme in Moray and Highland. Members of the LAG are being sought from the public, private and voluntary sectors in order to provide representation across various sectors on the LAG. In addition members are being sought to fill a new advisory group on the Fisheries Programme for the coastal areas in Moray.

The role of a LAG member is both rewarding and demanding and offers the opportunity of influencing rural and coastal development in Moray. The LEADER programme covers the whole of Moray, except for the area in the Cairngorms National Park, which has its own LEADER LAG.

A working group has been set up to develop the new programmes and to recruit new members.

Priscilla Gordon-Duff, who chairs the working group, said:

"We are looking for hard-working, enthusiastic individuals with experience of rural economic, community or marine development and this includes representation from the renewables, tourism, farming, business and fishing sectors.

"A wide range of experience and skills is required, and we hope they will be provided from among active community representatives, businesses, social enterprises, land managers, farmers, fishermen, food producers and local agencies."

A recruitment pack is available from Moray LEADER programme co-ordinator Iain Catto at iain.catto@moray.gov.uk or by calling 01343 563635.

The closing date for applications has been extended until 5pm on Friday 12 February 2016..