Since my posting yesterday about the success of Isle of Wight Ramblers in obtaining a grant to carry out footpath improvements, I've heard of another great success, this time in Wales.
For the past few years, Flintshire County Council has budgeted £100,000 for Footpath Maintenance and Improvement. But it had not applied for any funding for footpath improvements from the Welsh Assembly Government and European Regional Development Fund - unlike its neighbour, Denbighshire.
About 12 months ago the Ramblers found out that £850,000 of these funds were available for the two counties, to be spent during the financial year ending 31st March 2011.
Ron Williams, together with John Roberts (Secretary of the Flintshire Footpath Committee) lobbied Flintshire to get their bids in. They were supported by our members on the Local Access Forum. They drew up a list of schemes and alerted others to make suggestions. This led to a grant funded officer being appointed to assist with the bids.
The result has been that £165,000 was allocated to Flintshire from the Fund for footpaths (non footpath related schemes were also successful). The grants only cover a maximum of 80% of the cost the remainder coming partners and funders. Ramblers did not have find any funds because the County Council, which actually did the costing, put in the bids and supervised the work, found other funders, principally Landfill Tax to take up what could been our financial contribution.
This means that the County Council Footpath Maintenance Budget was effectively increased by over £200,000.
I'd like to know about other success stories - and don't forget to record your footpath successes using the link below. Promoting our successes helps with campaigning, fundraising, and member recruitment.
Tom Franklin
Sent from my iPhone
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The Ramblers' Association is a registered charity (England & Wales no 1093577, Scotland no SC039799) and a company limited by guarantee, registered in England & Wales (no 4458492). Registered office: 2nd floor, Camelford House, 87-90 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7TW.
Visit our website at:
www.ramblers.org.uk
www.ramblers.org.uk/scotland
www.ramblers.org.uk/wales
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