Big Six Thematic Approach
The programme is based on a "Can Do, Willing to Help" approach to assist and encourage the growth in Rural Business. The delivery model is based around those issues identified during the initial public consultation process that began in June 2006 and continue into 2007 the planned thematic approach has been further verified at the July 2008 consultation events and is a reflection regional SWOT analysis and sub regional SWOT analysis, being the "BIG SIX" that will act as a driver to help Rural Business.
The build up from SWOT analysis and issues supported by evidence and development of 6 themes. The six themes have been driven from a very bottom up set of grass root ideas and problems that have been divided into the six areas of support that are effective delivery themes to target funding, increase benefits for spend and enable a broad spectrum of enterprise types to access funding. The Six Themes are:
| Support Merseyside The continued support to enable a broad reaching support to different producer sizes and points in the supply chain. |
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| Actions: Development of a cooperative approach that will encapsulate fresh, beverages, preserve, processed and frozen food from the best of Merseyside's producers. Aims to add value, develop processing and packaging facilitites, develop distribution, create a backroom network, develop and access new markets and be an effective player in supplying public procurement. This will not be an initiative to help or assist, it will be farmer/producer controlled businesses that will be commercially driven. | Beneficiaries: All growers, producers and processers will be able to contribute towards the project. |
| Equine Business The equine industry is vastly important to the sub region with support and assistance required at different levels of intervention. |
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| Actions: Encourage an accreditation system for facilities within Merseyside, a formal body to lobby for access routes and connectivity to existing leisure facilities, networking opportunities and access to funding for facility improvement. The project will work closely with the BHS (British Horse Society) and volunteers in developing their objectives. | Beneficiaries: Equine industry in Merseyside and people who use the facilities for sport and recreation. |
| Sustainable Biomass Arboriculture waste, the management of existing woodland can be significant in producing a renewable green source of heat for different sizes of applications. |
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| Actions: Formation of a supply company to address continuity and quality of renewable energy (biomass) that can be grown and harvested. Linked to need and regional plan for developing renewable energy generation. The development of a forest management plan by the majority of woodland owners to maximise returns and optimise the potential for woodland planting. Environmental improvement and habitat management to aid biodiversity and increase species numbers and diversity. | Beneficiaries: Growers, processors, end users and the general population that will benefit from the reduced production of carbon dioxide and increase in green planting |
| Energy and Resources Constant pressure from legislation, economic policy and dwindling resources has pushed this to the top of most people's development agendas. Eligible businesses will be able to access funding to have an audit prepared for their current position and to access potential areas of savings. |
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| Actions: Increasing capacity and ability to recycle trade waste in rural areas and the assessment and reduction of a business’s carbon footprint, in the form of a green audit. | Beneficiaries: Any business that wants to address its recycling/carbon balance in a rural location. |
| Retail Empowering rural retails to sell and maximise on their unique selling points to enable them to compete on a higher, differentiated level, taking advantage of local markets and the opportunities to add value to products. |
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| Actions: Business improvement through a modular approach. Service, Marketing, Monitoring, Supply, Logistics, Merchandising, Networks and Modelling. Creating strong linkage and generic outcomes from work with Support Merseyside. | Beneficiaries: Any rural retail business that has a business need or a weakness they would like to improve on. |
| Tourism and Attractions As more people look closer to home for relaxation and leisure the massive potential of the green infrastructure and a large population are clear for any developer to realise the potential. |
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| Actions: Development of service pack, better linkage to The Mersey Partnership and promotion of availability. | Beneficiaries: All established or emerging rural attractions which hold people in the rural economy. |
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