The aim of the Beacon scheme was to reward high performing councils and to encourage the sharing of best practice.

• Project Dates: 2004 - 2005 (10 months)
• Project Leader: Neil Ward
• Staff: Neil Ward and Terry Carroll
• Sponsors: Lincolnshire Development

ODPM placed an obligation on those authorities awarded Beacon status to devise suitable programmes for the transfer of best practice. In response to this requirement, the eight “rural Beacon authorities” decided to pool their expertise and financial allocations and develop a unique programme of bespoke mentoring support which could be tailored to meet the varied needs of authorities seeking external guidance on improving their rural economies.

This study was commissioned to evaluate the Bespoke Mentoring Programme. It sought to draw conclusions on the achievements of the Project as measured against its overall aim and objectives and to provide some guidance about the further development and application of the mentoring concept within the scope of Local Authority support for the rural economy.