What is the Rural Social & Community Programme (RSCP)?
The RSCP is a 2 year programme of work, funded by Defra running from April 2006 until March 2008. It is administered in the sub-region of Cheshire and Warrington by Cheshire Community Action as the lead accountable body.
RSCP Aims
The RSCP aims to support and develop voluntary and community activity in rural Cheshire and Warrington, so that rural communities can work together to shape their own future, and help individuals to improve their quality of life. The funding is used to compliment and add value to existing initiatives across the sub-region which are already working to improve and build the capacity of voluntary and community activity in rural areas. The Cheshire and Warrington RSCP has 6 high level priorities:
- Increasing Rural Access to Services
- Providing Support/Activities for Young People
- Creating Safer Communities
- Creating Affordable Rural Housing
- Improving Employment Opportunities
- Involving Local People in Decision Making
These priorities were identified during the development of the programme via surveys and studies including the Cheshire County Council Quality of Life Survey (2005), the Cheshire & Warrington Rural Partnership Rural Evidence Base (2006), district Council Community Strategies, Parish Plans and local consultation exercises.
The programme is delivered via two main strands of activity:
Sub-Regional Level Commissioned Projects
Community Grants
RSCP Partnership
In order to deliver the programme effectively, Cheshire Community Action work in partnership with, and report to the Rural Communities & Parish Planning Group (RCPPG). The group meets every 6-8 weeks to monitor the progress of the RSCP and ensures appropriate links are made with other related activities and initiatives across the sub-region e.g. Parish Planning.
The group has representatives from the following public and voluntary sector bodies:
- Cheshire Community Action (Lead Accountable Body)
- Cheshire County Council
- Crewe & Nantwich Borough Council
- Vale Royal Borough Council
- Macclesfield Borough Council
- Congleton Borough Council
- Warrington Borough Council
- Chester City Council
- Cheshire Association of Local Councils (ChALC)
- Government Office North West
