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Refresh!ABOUT THE LOCAL ACTION GROUP (LAG)
The Herefordshire Rivers Local Action Group (LAG) has been present since the original bid was placed for Herefordshire to host a LEADER+ Programme.
The responsibilities of the LAG Members include:
- Acting as the decision-making body for the Programme
- Involvement in all stages of developing the development plan and action plan for the Programme
- Development and appraisal of projects (whilst maintaining separation of roles between development and appraisal)
- Recruitment of staff
- Development of community network links
LAG Members are also to take part in local, regional and national networking activity, including attendance at U.K. events. This is to fulfil their role as ambassadors of the Programme.
LAG Members elect the Chair and Vice-Chair. The Chair holds the post for a maximum of a two-year term. The Vice-Chair also holds the post for a maximum of two years, although these years do not have to coincide with the Chair's. Elections are held in the November of each year. At present, the Chair is Wendy Coombey, and the position of Vice-Chair has recently been filled by Alistair Cormie.
Meetings are held quarterly, with the Herefordshire Rivers Programme Team providing the secretariat and maintaining the minutes and records.
Membership of the group draws on, and links to, the Ambition Groups of the Herefordshire Partnership, representation of appropriate regional bodies and representation from community groups. The Ambition Groups represented are:
- The Environment Group
- The Cultural Consortium
- The Community Development and Local Services Ambition Group
Other local bodies represented are named below.
One LAG Member chairs each project appraisal panel. The panel is made up of members of other groups who have a specialist interest/qualification in the content of the proposed project. These members of the panel must also understand the LEADER+ Programme Themes and Priorities.
| Member | Representing |
|---|---|
| Margaret Andrews | - Cultural Consortium Ambition Group |
| Bill Bloxsome | - Herefordshire Council Conservation Manager (Advisory role) |
| Wendy Coombey | - Diocese of Herefordshire |
| Alistair Cormie | - The Bulmer Foundation |
| Mel Davis | - Government Office for West Midlands (GOWM) (Advisory role) |
| Tim Green | - Herefordshire Young Farmers |
| Fran Griffith | - Herefordshire Nature Trust |
| Cllr Charles Mayson | - Herefordshire Council (Independent Political Party) |
| Magda Praill | - Age Concern Herefordshire and Worcestershire |
| Anne Robinson | - Herefordshire Council for Voluntary Youth Services (CVYS) |
| Karen Stanton | - Herefordshire Partnership |
| Derek Wareham | - National Farmers Union |
| Lynda Wilcox | - Herefordshire Association of Local Councils (HALC) |
| Mike Williams | - Herefordshire Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG) |
| Lorraine De Souza | - Environment Agency (Wales) |
If you would like to contact a LAG Member for any reason, please email info@herefordshirerivers.org or write to:
C/O Herefordshire Rivers LEADER+
P. O. Box 4
Plough Lane
Hereford
HR4 0XH
We welcome enquiries from people who would like to become a Member of the Herefordshire Rivers Local Action Group, particularly if you feel that your organisation or group is not fully represented by those listed above.
The main conditions for Membership are:
- A relevant organisation or community group (relevant to the themes of the Programme)
- An eligibility check
- Have the backing of at least one significant or local interest group on a County-wide basis
- Have an active interest in one or more of the main target groups of the Programme
- Regularly attend the quarterly LAG meetings and other events
- Act as ambassador for the Programme, particularly by reporting back to the organisation or community group that you represent
