Rural community councils in the South West have been working together since 1986. In 1998 SWAN (the South West ACRE Network) was registered as an independent charity. SWAN is a member of the family of rural community council, whose national association is ACRE (Action for Communities in Rural England).
SWAN’s Board of Trustees comprises the chief executives and trustee representatives of the 7 RCCs in the South West:
- Community Action (former Avon area)
- Cornwall Rural Community Council
- Community Council of Devon
- Dorset Community Action
- Gloucestershire Rural Community Council
- Community Council for Somerset
- Community First Wiltshire
The Board of Trustees meets quarterly and is advised by a steering group. The Annual General Meeting is held in October.
SWAN Business - A Plan for 2007-10
Each year SWAN arranges a conference, the SWANUpping, attended by staff and trustees from the seven rural community councils. The conference helps to inform the Board about priorities for the following year.