News

The Chard MTSP has met monthly between December 2004 and December 2005.

At the first meeting the group reviewed the baseline information and identified the three priority issues as:

• Skills levels
• Transport in relation to access to work
• Apprenticeship/tradesman opportunities

In January 2005 the group identified that there is insufficient basic skills training in Chard.

At the February 2005 meeting, hosted by Dairy Crest, discussion with employers on skills needs identified the need for greater work-readiness and motivation in young people starting work.

The next stage was for the group to identify its strategic objectives (see the strategic objectives page) for a local employment strategy and to develop project ideas around the key issues (see the action_plan page).

Projects 1 and 2 from the action plan (the business centre feasibility study and Basic and Vocational Skills Development) were developed and briefs submitted to the County Steering Group appraisal panel. Both were accepted but project 1 was deemed to be the strongest and recommended for the flagship project funding. The group commissioned research into the need and requirements for a business development centre in Chard and following the research phase the group agreed to commission the feasibility study to develop the proposition as the flagship project for Chard.

Using the results of the research phase the feasibility study developed the proposition for the Chard Enviro Business Centre. The scope of the study covered the opportunities and benefits for Chard, identification of the optimum location, the proposed model, options for development the business plan and next steps.

The Chard group has agreed to meet again to develop a summary document to present the business case for the Chard Enviro Business Centre in preparation for a funding application from the Action for Chard Town steering group. Next steps will be to set up a project planning team, identify a business champion, firm up on the site and develop the specification for the building.