DRCC Mission: Helping communities realise their aspirations and achieve their goals.

Derbyshire Rural Community Council (DRCC) is an independent organisation and registered charity. Established in 1924, it is a county-wide organisation supporting people in rural communities, villages and market towns. DRCC works in close partnership with other agencies to help Derbyshire’s rural communities tackle the challenges and opportunities they face – both now and in the future.

DRCC runs several specialist services

Village Halls and Community Buildings

• Advice and support for management committees on such matters as trust deeds, leases, charitable status, legislation and all aspects of management.
• Information about sources of grant-aid for village halls and guidance on preparing funding applications.

Parish and community planning

• Advice and support for parish councils and local action groups on preparing a community or parish plan
• Information about sources of grant-aid for projects identified in the Action Plan
• Working with partners to get parish and community plans adopted in the Local Development Framework

Rural Services

• Support and advice for rural retailers, including Post Offices and pubs
• Support and advice for managers of playing fields and play areas
• Promotion of access to services in rural communities

Accessibility

• Wheels to Work Project enabling mainly young unemployed people living in rural areas access work and training
• Participation in the County’s Accessibility Partnerships with a brief to develop accessibility for people living and working in rural areas, whether through innovative transport solutions or making services better available locally

Rural Housing

• Rural Housing Enabler working in Derbyshire Dales and High Peak to promote affordable rural housing
• RHE conducts Parish Needs Surveys and Concept Statements to provide evidence of need and works with local councils, landowners and planners to identify exception sites and to secure site leases suitable for homes

Farming Community

• Agricultural Chaplain provides support for farmers and farming families in the Peak District

10 FTE paid staff. 80 members. 600 organisations as contacts.