Volunteer deadline extended for twin programmes

More volunteers are being sought to help deliver the next LEADER and Fisheries programmes in Moray which are funded by the European Union and Scottish Government to the amount of £3.8 million.

The Moray LEADER programme is to be overseen by a Local Action Group (LAG), and the new Fisheries programme covering Highland and Moray is to have a local advisory group for Moray.

Recruitment of volunteers for both groups had started before Christmas.However, the deadline has now been extended to Friday, February 12.

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 Highland and Moray.

Members of the LAG are sought from the public, private and voluntary sectors in order to provide representation across various sectors, while members are 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.

Iain Catto, the LEADER programme co-ordinator for Moray, said: “We have already received some excellent applications from hard-working and enthusiastic individuals with relevant experience of rural economic, community or marine development.

“However, in order to maximise the range of skills and expertise on each of the LEADER Local Action Group and the Moray fisheries local advisory group we are extending the deadline to February 12 to allow more people the opportunity to apply.”

For more information and to get a recruitment pack please visit www.morayleader.org.uk/newsor contact Moray LEADER programme co-ordinator Iain Catto at iain.catto@moray.gov.uk or by calling 01343 563635.