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If you
live, work or run a small business in a rural ward* within the
county boundaries of Neath Port Talbot, you are very likely to be
eligible for free help under Neath Port Talbot County Borough
Council's Rural Development Plan (RDP)
The RDP
scheme uses a roving team of advisors to help people to consider the
self employment route or to actually set up a small business –
roving means the RDP advisor comes to you, where you live or where
you work, rather than you having to travel to some central meeting
place. The scheme also supports micro businesses (up to 10
employees) who need business support e.g. accessing funding.
A
particular focus of the scheme is to help those out of work or
disadvantaged, or who belong to a minority group. For example
if you are a Welsh speaker your needs are catered for because one of
our RDP business advisors is fluent in Welsh.
The
purpose of the RDP scheme is to help rural wards to ‘fill the
employment gaps’ created by the loss of heavy industry jobs and the
decline in traditional agricultural activity; so we want to see the
rural areas flourish and it only by creating local jobs that this
can happen.
The RDP
counsellors work closely with other agencies providing free support;
for example the local Voluntary Services and Communities First
officers; and Welsh Government funded support services such as the
Start-Up programme which will teach you how to set up a business.
Our advisors also know all about the local grants and loans that are
available and how to apply for them. This extensive network of
contacts means that you will, at the appropriate point be passed on
to a specialist who can help you through to self employment.
All the help is completely free to the user and is
funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development.
If you would like to talk to an RDP advisor please
ring 01792 817575 and our Receptionist will arrange for an Advisor
to contact you.
* Rural Wards in Neath Port Talbot
are:
Aberdulais, Blaengwrach, Bryn &
Cwmavon, Bryncoch North, Coedffranc West, Crynant, Cwmllynfell,
Cymmer, Dyffryn, Glyncorrwg, Glynneath, Godre’r Graig,
Gwaun-Cae-Gurwen, Gwynfi, Lower Brynamman, Margam, Onllwyn, Pelenna,
Pontardawe, Resolven, Rhos, Seven Sisters, Taibach, Ystalyfera | 
