Government's
Rural Advocate launches inquiry into future for England's
upland communities
COMMISSION FOR RURAL
COMMUNITIES News Release (CRC 11/08) issued by COI News Distribution
Service. 9 October 2008
Today (Thursday,
October 9, 2008), Dr Stuart Burgess the Government's Rural
Advocate and Chairman of the Commission for Rural Communities
(CRC) is launching a wide-ranging inquiry into the future for
England's upland communities. England's uplands
correspond to 'less favoured areas' and can be found in
the north and south west and in areas along the Welsh border. The
English uplands occupy 18 per cent of the country's land area
and have special significance, not just for their contribution to
rural economies, but also their key role nationally in landscape
conservation, recreational activities, biodiversity, heritage and
water management.
Speaking at the North West Rural Affairs Forum's annual
conference in Cumbria Dr Burgess said: "I am delighted to be
here today to launch this important inquiry into the future for
England's upland communities. By their very nature, upland
communities face tough conditions. I am continually impressed by
the energy, industry and determination of the people living and
working there and also by their current and potential contribution
to wider environmental and other ambitions. But it was the
concerns being expressed in these upland areas that led to me
stating my intention to the Prime Minister to establish an inquiry
examining how England's upland communities can best equip
themselves to thrive in the twenty-first century.
"My visit to Cumbria last year, to see first-hand the
impacts of livestock movement restrictions on hill farmers and the
wider economy, revealed a much wider set of concerns and
inter-related issues regarding the future of upland areas. I have
since visited the south west, Yorkshire and most recently the
north east to explore these important issues with local
communities and to begin our preparations for the inquiry. These
visits have proved invaluable in increasing my understanding of
the issues and helping to identify the specific challenges needing
attention. Today I am announcing what the inquiry is intending to
achieve and the start of an extensive period of consultation to
hear views from people and organisations up and down the country,
before preparing a full report this time next year.
"The inquiry will aim to identify and evaluate the key
drivers of change in the upland communities of England, and to
develop and promote realistic policy recommendations that enable
and equip these communities to move towards more secure,
economically prosperous and sustainable futures.
"The CRC's distinctive contribution to this issue stems
from our role as the Government's advisor on economic and
social challenges in rural England. We are very grateful for
advice and support from Natural England, the Regional Development
Agencies and Local Authorities, who have key roles in strategic
planning and delivery. We are very grateful also for the advice
and support from the Regional Rural Affairs Forums. We look
forward to continuing our close work with all of these partner
organisations and of course with the upland communities and their representatives."
Jack Ellerby, Chair of the North West Rural Affairs Forum and
conference chair, said: "The special upland landscapes of the
North West are vital to the health and prosperity of not just the
people of our region but the many millions who visit each year.
Yet we should not forget that we need vibrant rural communities
underpinning the management and economies of these upland areas.
We applaud and support the CRC's inquiry and our conference
in Kendal will help to shape the future success of our upland communities."
ENDS
For further information contact Chris Wynne-Davies on 01242 534070
Notes for editors:
1. CRC's upland communities inquiry is being launched at the
North West Rural Affairs Forum's conference entitled Land use
in the uplands - strengthening businesses and communities taking
place at the Castle Green Hotel in Kendal on Thursday 9
October.
Further details of the North West Rural Affairs Forum
and its work can be found at: http://www.gos.gov.uk/gonw/nwraf/
2. Information about the English uplands can be found on
Defra's website at: http://www.defra.gov.uk/rural/uplands/default.htm
3. The CRC was established in April 2005 and became an
independent body on 1 October 2006, following the enactment of the
Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act, 2006. The role of
the CRC is to provide well-informed, independent advice to
Government and ensure that policies reflect the real needs and
circumstances of people living and working in rural England. We
give particular focus to tackling disadvantage and economic under-performance.
We have three key functions:
* advocate: the voice for rural
people, business and communities;
* expert advisor: providing
evidence-based, objective advice to Government and others;
and
* independent watchdog: monitoring and reporting on the
delivery of policies nationally, regionally and locally.
Further information about the CRC and its work can be found at:
http://www.ruralcommunities.gov.uk