About National ChangeUp

Defra Early Spend

In January 2004, Defra commissioned Rural Community Councils in each shire county to form a rural consortium and to prepare a rural action plan with a promise of funding to help implement appropriate rural projects. Electronic copies of these rural action plans are available below. [All links open in a new window.]

Berkshire Rural Early Spend

Buckinghamshire Rural Early Spend

Hampshire Rural Early Spend

Isle of Wight Rural Early Spend

Kent Rural Early Spend

Oxfordshire Rural Early Spend

Surrey Rural Early Spend

Sussex Rural Early Spend

Subsequently, Defra undertook a national evaluation of this early spend programme. This evaluation is particularly helpful in assessing development of partnerships and the Regional Consortium has recommended this tool to all local consortia and has commissioned work to ensure that all consortia have the opportunity to experience the benefits and use the partnership development toolkit.

Download Defra Evaluation [PDF file opens in a new window]