VILLAGES close to Chipping Norton could be set for cash to boost their rural services following a grant from West Oxfordshire District Council.
The council has earmarked £27,815 to support Oxfordshire Rural Community Council (ORCC) work to maintain and improve services in rural areas.
It is to fund three areas of activity managed by ORCC - a village shops development worker post, rural tr
ansport improvements and community development work.
Cllr Jill Dunsmore, member for communities at West Oxfordshire District Council, said: "ORCC provides invaluable support for the rural community in West Oxfordshire, especially at a time when many villages are losing important amenities.
"Their work is very much needed and is very visible in many of our villages."
She added the council were thrilled to be playing their part financially as well as supporting the work wholeheartedly.
"We are pleased to be funding our share of maintaining ORCC support."
Established ten years ago the village shops development worker post has been a real asset for independently-owned and community-run shops.
A development worker advises on business development and store layout, as well as ensuring environmental health and trading standards are adhered to.
Community shops entail people in the village helping to run it themselves.
Transport is a necessity for people living in rural areas and ORCC helps to identify needs and solutions - with any funding used to implement such needs.
ORCC's current community development work includes parish planning activity and then meeting needs.
