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The pros and cons of council funding for LETS

A view from Ireland

Based on the experience of LETSystems in Ireland where workers have been paid under various government employment schemes to develop LETS, I would strongly advise you not to seek government money at all.

What happens when the money/employment scheme runs out? The likely result is that the system goes into serious decline because the administrative infrastructure which has been built up cannot be maintained.

So don't look for government money. It is poisonous. LETS is all about communities doing things for themselves.

Richard Douthwaite
West Port, Co Mayo

A view from Calderdale

My view is somewhat different. Here in Calderdale rather than asking for local authority grant aid as such we have made an arrangement which results in them doing all our postage, photocopying and printing effectively for local currency. This means that we have been able to reduce our members annual cash charge (formerly UKP 5-10 depending on circumstances) to a once for all payment of between UKP 2-10 whatever the new joiner wants to pay.

The council spends the currency earned on commissioning work by individuals in the system to the benefit of local voluntary groups. Technically what happens is that the council made a "grant" in spring 94 (after we had been trading for a year) to support what was seen as a useful local economic initiative - I was careful not to oversell it -. We dont see any of this cash as it is transferred within the council according to the amount of work they undertake for us. It can be represented as though having given us a grant we then pay it back to them and they spend it again.

They are happy with this deal and have indicated that they want to, gently, explore how they can use local currency more. At the moment only one department is involved and I expect that as things evolve so other departments will seek to join.

Unfortunately for me I shall not be around to see this as I am about to move, to Worcester, where I will start another system. Anyone wanting further info on this or any of our other initiatives just get in touch.

Nigel Leach
Calderdale LETSystem & LETS Solutions.

note: LETSystems can be run in a totally sustainable way and therefore not require outside funding. Development of the system on the other hand is quite separate and cash (with no strings) will do nicely thankyou!

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Last Revised 09 March 1996 by Nigel Stewart