A scheme to teach people new skills and help them take direct action to improve the quality of life in their communities has been launched in Craven.

It is being financed from the £100,000 pot of cash set aside by Craven District Council and North Yorkshire Training and Enterprise Council to fund the Craven Counts regeneration partnership, launched earlier this year.

Villagers, community groups and organisations throughout Craven district are being urged to say what skills they would like to acquire and Craven Counts has pledged to set up the necessary courses.

Spearheading the project is Tony Mullin, Craven's external funding and partnerships officer, who said the courses were being developed under the name of Capacity Building.

He said: "The courses will be strictly tailored to the training needs of community groups. A questionnaire is being sent out to parish and town councils, community groups and other organisations, to help determine common training needs and the types of courses that should be provided."

Craven Councillor Peter Walbank, (Con Grassington), the Craven Counts chairman, said: "The aim of the courses is to pass on information, knowledge and skills to groups or individuals who are wanting to improve the quality of life in their community."

He said it was hoped to give local people more knowledge in how to apply for money for community projects from places like the Lottery and Europe.

And Barry Turner, Vice-Principal of Craven College and a Craven Counts member, said: "As soon as we know what people are interested in, the partnership will start preparing the course material and seeking external funding to ensure costs are minimised."

The five aims of the Craven Counts regeneration package are: to create new jobs and safeguard existing jobs; improve opportunities for training and education; provide better community facilities; encourage the provision of better public and community services and encourage health and safety in the environment.

Anyone interested in completing the questionnaire and wanting more information should contact Mr Mullin on (01756) 706212.

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