The Cariboo Regional District provided highlights from its regular board meeting held Friday, May 13, in Williams Lake.
Cariboo-Chilcton MLA Donna Barnett presented information and answered questions regarding the BC Rural Dividend, set up to assist rural communities with a population of 25,000 or less in strengthening their community resilience, and supporting their social, cultural and economic viability.
The program is providing $25 million a year over three years, beginning in 2016, to help rural communities across B.C. reinvigorate and diversify their local economies, making them more attractive places to live and work.
BC Rural Dividend Program applications
The CRD will be submitting grant applications to the BC Rural Dividend Program for the following projects:
Accessible Trails Assessment and Inventory Study — the application is for $10,000 to be used toward the development of a wheelchair accessible trails assessment and inventory study for the Chilcotin, Central Cariboo and portions of the South Cariboo.
South Cariboo Prosperity Initiative – The application is for $32,000 to be used to support the sub-regional community economic development project in the South Cariboo.
Agricultural Land Commission update
Frank Leonard, chair of the Agricultural Land Commission (ALC), provided an update on ALC regulations and processes, and addressed questions and concerns from CRD Board members.
The ALC has set the following performance standards: endeavour to reach decisions on applications within 60 days, refund the ALC portion of application fees for any applications not processed within 90 days. develop a comprehensive compliance and enforcement approach, increase engagement with local and regional government, and implement an annual client survey
Funding for Wells primary care clinic
The Cariboo Chilcotin Regional Hospital District Board approved a request from the District of Wells for $2,424.80 in funding from the CCRHD’s Foundation Partnership Grants program. The funding represents 40 per cent of the total project cost of providing primary health care services at a clinic in Wells. In addition, the Board authorized $500 from the Electoral Area C Discretionary Funds, to support a portion of the start-up costs of the Wells Primary Care Clinic.
Interlakes Rodeo NDIT Application
The CRD will be supporting an application to the Northern Development Initiative Trust (NDIT), by the Interlakes Rodeo Association for $2,500 in grant funding to be used to support the Interlakes Rodeo event.
Electoral Area K discretionary funds
The Cariboo Regional District Board authorized $800 from the Electoral Area K Discretionary Funds, to be used by the Riske Creek Community Association for the following events: $200 for a Turkey Shoot on June 26, 2016; $300 for a gymkhana on August 1, 2016; and $300 for a gymkhana on September 17, 2016.
Support for Fort McMurray
The board expressed its thoughts and support for all those involved in the Fort McMurray fires and will be forwarding a letter of support to the municipalities involved in firefighting and evacuation efforts.
Next Meetings:
Board on the Road – Bouchie Lake Community Hall
Committee of the Whole – June 9, 2016
CRD Board Meeting – June 10, 2016