Rural communities can 'lead the way' says Rural Advocate

The report of the Rural Advocate has just been published (3 March 08) and is Dr Stuart Burgess' second report since appointment in September 2004.

In the report Dr Burgess refers to Ashton Hayes as an example of a rural community 'leading the way'.  He acknowledges the important role rural communities are making and can make to mitigating climate change and recommends the following priority areas for action:

"...the experience and good practice of villages like Ashton Hayes [encouraging personal and community action to tackle climate change] should be promoted and replicated more widely."

"...there is an opportunity for Defra to take the lead in encouraging rural communities to fulfil [their] potential [to contribute to climate change mitigation], and to encourage community initiatives within a local, regional and national framework."

http://www.ruralcommunities.gov.uk/publications/ruraladvocatereport2007

The Rural Advocate is a non-political appointment made by the Prime Minister to put the case for rural people at the highest levels of government.  The Rural Advocate is also Chair of the Commission for Rural Communities (CRC), which has a particular focus on people who are disadvantaged and on areas suffering from economic underperformance.