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Faith in the Countryside

Faith in the Countryside. The Role of Rural Community Councils David Wood Rural Action East. Topics for Discussion. The State of the Countryside & Its Role Characteristics of Rural Communities The Work of RCCs. The Countryside. Agriculture Fall out from F&M, BSE, etc

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Faith in the Countryside

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  1. Faith in the Countryside The Role of Rural Community Councils David Wood Rural Action East

  2. Topics for Discussion • The State of the Countryside & Its Role • Characteristics of Rural Communities • The Work of RCCs

  3. The Countryside • Agriculture • Fall out from F&M, BSE, etc • EU CAP, farming subsidies • EU suppliers, especially new eastern countries • WTO and third world suppliers • Leisure • Tourism, rural crafts • New wetlands, woodland, heath-land • Dormitory • Rural idyll – quality of life • Affluent immigrants Reality is need for combination of all above plus new sources of economic vitality

  4. Rural Life • Low crime • Healthy environment • Good community spirit • Pleasant place to live, with high quality of life BUT…

  5. Realities of Rural Life • Economic income needed to enjoy rural life • Low paid & few jobs • Fewer services • Shops, banks, GPs, schools, leisure • Little or no public transport - isolation • Lack of affordable housing • Reduced utility provision, eg gas, Broadband

  6. Characteristics of Small Rural Communities • Low population density – rural premium • Lack of viability statutory & community services • Insular, less connected to networks • Administrative isolation • Greater reliance on volunteer groups • Community not LA owned facilities • Community transport, shops, groups • Interdependency of groups & facilities • Reduced access to support & training

  7. Rural Communities, cont • Parish Councils • Hidden deprivation • Low concentration not captured • Hidden social exclusion • Poverty & affluence side-by-side

  8. Rural Community Councils Aim to achieve rural regeneration through: • Integrated support tailored to the needs of rural communities • Economic & social regeneration through local projects & strategic programme delivery • Community capacity building through empowerment • Rural advocacy in policy development & delivery

  9. Characteristics of Approach • Work at county level • Dispersed network engaged with communities • Holistic approach to whole community • Address specific needs within rural village context • One-stop integrated service • Specific detailed technical source • In-house skills • Partnership Local Auth, other volunteer orgs

  10. RCC Work • Direct delivery of services • Good neighbour, Parish Plans, social inclusion • Grant applications • Delegated fund administration • Training, information, advice • Village hall committees, child care, etc • Community consultations • Bring community together

  11. Rural Action East • Regional autonomous charity • Works for rural regeneration • Advocacy – input on policy definition and programme delivery • GO East, EEDA, Countryside Agency, EERA • EECN, COVER • Regionalisation – encourage and support collaboration between RCCs • Staff networks; Joint projects • Regional projects • Market Town Initiative • National ACRE • Action with Communities in Rural England

  12. Contact Details David Wood Rural Action East Regional Development Officer 01473 242500 david.wood@RuralActionEast.org.uk www.RuralActionEast.org.uk

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