Links
Partner Organisations
Somerset County Council
SMTF works closely with Somerset County Council Officers, primarily from the Rural Delivery Team, part of the Economic Development service. SCC are the accountable body for Rural Renaissance, a funding stream from SWERDA that has supported many rural projects in Somerset - find out more here.
Community Council for Somerset
The Community Council for Somerset are one of 37 Rural Community Councils who form a nationwide network of charitable organisations, working with rural communities on community development and regeneration initiatives. Established in 1926, their mission is to counter the threats to rural communities and enhance rural life throughout Somerset.
Somerset Market Towns Forum is hosted by the CCS.
South West England Regional Development Agency (SWERDA)
The RDA lead the development of a sustainable economy in the South West, investing to unlock the region’s business potential. Their work is guided by the Regional Economic Strategy 2006-2015. This provides a shared vision for the development of the region’s economy.
Other County Fora in the South West of England
A new regional body, the South West Market and Coastal Towns Network, has formed in July 2008, to share good practice and information across the region. Local delivery of services will remain with the existing County Fora.
South West Market and Coastal Towns Network
Cornwall Towns Association
Gloucestershire Market Towns Forum
Wiltshire Forum of Community Area Partnerships
Organisations & Projects
Action with Communities in Rural England
Hidden Somerset
hiddensomerset.com is a website designed to share the 'bits the others can't reach' (to acknowledge a well known old advert). This website opens up an enormous variety of little known gems across the county, where you are most unlikely ever to meet a coach load of tourists. Explore Somerset's more interesting historic, geographical and cultural features, the things which make our county so special and unique.
Voluntary Sector Training Alliance (ViSTA)
ViSTA is committed to providing high quality services that enable the voluntary & community sector to engage more effectively in education, training and personal development for the benefit of the individuals and the communities that they serve.
Rural Women's Network
The Rural Women's Network Somerset was set up in 2002 to raise awareness of rural stress, to improve rural women's wellbeing and their access to support throughout Somerset by promoting communication between organisations across Somerset on the ways that life in the countryside can be stressful, and on effective ways to respond.
Somerset Voluntary Sector Network
SVSN is a county-wide organisation committed to supporting and strengthening the Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) in Somerset by sharing information, experience and skills. They have information about SomFAWN (Somerset Funding Advice Workers Network) including a list of members you can contact for advice.
Others
Better Places
Centre for Architecture & the Built Environment (CABE) - www.cabe.org Government's advisor on all things built. Some great publications on design quality and the importance of successful public spaces.
Traffic and Transport
Living Streets - http://www.livingstreets.org.uk/ Useful site with tips on action (such as organising & promotng Walking to School & how to campaign for 20mph zones) and policy background
Campaign for Better Transport - http://www.bettertransport.org.uk/
Government Office South West
Business Link
Rural Enterprise Gateway
South West Regional Observatory
South West Forum
National Association of Voluntary and Community Action (NAVCA)
Blackdown Hills AONB
Mendip Hills AONB
Somerset Rural Youth Project
English Historic Towns Forum