Rural funding surgeries

The West of England Rural Network is holding funding surgeries for farmers, rural businesses, startups and community organisations based in rural South Gloucestershire. This will be an opportunity for businesses and organisations to find out about the current funding and support available (including European funding) to help develop businesses, community services and cultural offer of the West of England.

The surgeries are being held at 4pm on Tuesday 20th and Thursday 29th June in the King George V Memorial Hall, Rangeworthy. For more information see https://www.facebook.com/westofenglandrdp

Calling all business owners - let's hear YOUR views on Brexit

The Liberal Democrats are asking business owners across the country about what impact they think Brexit will have on their businesses and what they are looking for from Government to reduce any negative impacts. Out and about in Chipping Sodbury earlier this week, we found that some had already felt the impact of the slump in the pound, with the cost of imported goods rising rapidly. If you're a local business owner, please complete our survey online before 12th December.

Fact checking websites

If you feel confused by the claims and counter-claims made by the two sides in the EU referendum debate, it's worth checking out the BBC Reality Check and Channel 4 News FactCheck.

EU funding for rural businesses

LEADER is part of the EU's Farming and Rural Development Programme. Its priorities are:

1. Support for Cultural and Heritage Activities
2. Support for increasing Forestry productivity
3. Support for Micro and Small Enterprises including Farm Diversification
4. Support for Rural Tourism
5. Support for increasing Farm Productivity
6. Provision of Rural Services
7. Rural/City links and Social Enterprise

The West of England Rural Network is keen to encourage rural businesses in our area to apply for funding. All applications must be match funded in cash.

The first step is to ring the LEADER office on 01275 333 701 or email to see if your postcode falls within the remit of the programme and whether it qualifies for financial support. The call for applications closes on 11th July.

Make sure you're registered to vote

If you want to be able to vote for the next Police and Crime Commissioner on 5th May but are not yet registered at your current address, you can do it online at www.avonpccelection2016.org.uk/register-to-vote before midnight on Monday 18 April.

If you can’t go to the polling station on Thursday 5 May, then if you have registered by 18 April you can apply to vote by post or you can appoint a proxy to vote on your behalf. The deadline for postal vote applications is on 5pm on Tuesday 19 April 2016, while the deadline for proxy vote applications is 5pm on Tuesday 26 April 2016.

Registering now for the elections in May will also mean you are registered in good time before the EU referendum on Thursday 23 June.