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Community Council for Somerset Logo


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Background and history of the Community Council for Somerset

 

The Community Council for Somerset was established in 1926 and was originally named the Rural Community Council for Somerset.  We celebrated our "80th birthday" in 2006.  To read more about our early years and how we have evolved into what we are today, use the following link.   A brief history of the Community Council for Somerset (pdf format) 

 

 

We are a founding member of ACRE (Action for Communities in Rural England) the Acre Quality Standard Logonational network of 38 Rural Community Councils, all charitable organisations working with rural communities on community development and regeneration initiatives.  Prior to our affiliation with ACRE, we were members of the Rural Desk of the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO).

                

We are funded principally by the following organisations:

 

 

  • The Government Office for the South West
  • The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra),  through Capacity Builders and ACRE
  • Somerset County Council
  • Mendip District Council
  • Sedgemoor District Council
  • South Somerset  District Council
  • Taunton Deane Borough Council
  • West Somerset Council

 

We also rely on support from our members and subscribers.

  

 

Our Mission, Values and Objectives

 

Our Mission is:  To enhance life throughout Somerset by equipping rural communities to effect positive change.

To underpin this, our values are:

  • We maintain a commitment to the communities of rural Somerset
  • We believe in social justice for rural communities
  • We believe in confident and sustainable rural communities
  • We are committed to principles of partnership working
  • We are committed to promoting equal opportunities and social inclusion across the County and within the organisation
  • We work to the highest professional standards

 

 

Our objectives are:

  • To monitor and influence policy and strategy on behalf of rural communities
  • To provide access to advice and information to Somerset's communities
  • To support the development of sustainable communities
  • To raise the profile of the Community Council for Somerset and promote its mission