If you live in or near Lydney or have in interest in the area, then Lydney Area in Partnership (LAiP) is YOU!

The Partnership is an independent, community owned organisation which helps to make Lydney and its surrounding area a vibrant and sustainable place to live and work. It was launched in September 2002, and so far 160 local people and organisations joined (many joining straight away!).

Any individual or organisation – whether a local authority, business, community group, sports club or charity – active in the area can join as a member - and it only costs £1, though your £1 share is non-refundable, in case you cease to be a member for any reason.

The Partnership is a registered Society for the Benefit of the Community (no. 29490R), which means it is a not-for-private-profit company regulated by the Financial Services Authority. It is owned by all its members equally, on the principle of one member one vote.

Becoming a member doesn't mean you have to commit yourself to lots of meetings, to keeping minutes or other tasks. Each member can choose their level of involvement. This can be simply being kept up to date with what's going on, through to voicing your opinions at public events and consultations, or to becoming more active on particular issues or projects. You can even get involved in helping to run the Partnership itself.

Whatever your level of commitment, we'd like you to join us!

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In 2001 local people got together to develop a vision for the future of the Lydney area. From that work came Turning the Tide @ Lydney, a plan drawn up with input from the community in 2002. Copies of this document may be requested from the Partnership or downloaded here (download help is available here).

The community was able to do this thanks to a new round of government funding targeting coastal towns, called the Market & Coastal Towns Initiative or MCTi. Lydney was one of nine pilot areas in the South West region of England for the MCTi.

The Partnership was set up to help make real this vision for the Lydney area, captured in the plan:

A high quality rural and urban environment celebrating its Severnside location and acting as a gateway to the Forest , promoting:

• Lydney as a thriving, prosperous, safe, integrated and attractive market town, serving its rural hinterland and a centre from which to visit the area's attractions
• The area's own unique identity for visitors and residents
• A sustainable mixed community with jobs, homes and facilities for all
• An inclusive process whereby local people can voice their aspirations and local talent and skills can be used in achieving strategic solutions

The plan also includes a range of suggested projects to achieve this vision.

An easy to read booklet version of the plan has been published for the local community. It includes an important survey to establish which of the many projects proposed people think would really make a difference to the area. You can fill in the survey online on this website, or download and print it to mail in to the Partnership.

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The Partnership aims to:

• Offer a voice to the people and organisations in the Lydney area through community consultation
• Co-ordinate and work in partnership to implement the Turning the Tide plan
• Develop and deliver initiatives to contribute to the area's sustainable development and regeneration
• Ensure the effective governance, accountability and administration of the Partnership itself

The Partnership is now busy researching, marketing, networking, setting up working groups, helping attract investment, represent the area on key bodies such as the Forest of Dean Community Partnership, offering project management for feasibility studies such as the one for Naas Lane and developing other initiatives to achieve these aims.

The Partnership is also making sure that it is properly governed by its board and elected members, that it works well with any staff or volunteers, and it secures all the funding required to meet its aims.

Achievements so far include, bringing together the following funding over 2002/2003:

• For the running of the organisation itself, its business planning, communications and membership work: £24,500 from South West Regional Development Agency, Forest of Dean District Council, Gloucestershire Market Towns Forum, Gloucestershire County Council, Lydney Town Council, Countryside Agency
• For the feasibility study into the future of the Naas Lane Youth and Community Centre and the Town Hall: £19,275 from MCTi, Gloucestershire County Council, Learning & Skills Council, Gloucestershire Market Towns Forum, Countryside Agency
• For consultants' work on the area's economic needs, links to the rural areas and community capacity building: £12,000 from South West Regional Development Agency

As part of the next stage, we are putting together a new business plan for the Partnership which will be available later in 2004.

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All our members are local people and organisations who simply want to make a difference to their area. If you live or work locally, we'd like you to get involved – whether in helping with this website, our member newsletter, working groups or projects, so get in contact!

The Partnership exists to set up and support more working groups to develop particular projects, and to feed in to groups at district level on issues such as transport and tourism.

The Partnership is run by our board members. Election details and introductions to the current board can be found on our board members page.

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