Exmoor Trust Calls for Action to obtain Capital Funds for Exmoor

Introducing the Open Forum held today as part of the AGM of the Exmoor Trust, Chairman Edwin Beckett, called for an urgent review of the funding for capital projects in the Exmoor Area. The three main bids for capital funding from the Lottery Fund from this area had all failed to progress beyond the initial stages leaving a deficit of well over £30 million to be found from other sources. All the projects aspired to the regeneration of the area leading to much improved prospects for sustainable recovery.

The meeting was addressed by Steven Pugsley, Chairman of the Exmoor National Park Authority, who agreed that there was a widening gap in funds available to the authority to provide or help fund major capital projects. There was general concern that the organisation of funding lacked cohesion and experience needed to improve the success rate of applications. The meeting firmly concluded that there was now a greater need for Public Funded Organisations to work more closely with the Voluntary Sector.

Mr Beckett called for an urgent review of the situation and stated that the Exmoor Trust was prepared to play a key role in facilitating discussions on an ‘alliance of interests’. He added ‘We should seek to draw together the needs and contributions from the public authorities including parishes, with voluntary and community partners. Such a partnership should be able to share resources particularly on information and expertise.’ He stated that there were now grants available for training people for fundraising and that a well presented case should be made to recruit, train and provide facilities for a funding officer working jointly for both voluntary and public organisations.