xPRESS Digest

Helping businesses in Lincolnshire become wealthy and wise

A wealth of guidance and practical help will be on offer to small and medium sized enterprises at an event to be held at Market Rasen in Lincolnshire. Free information on a wide range of topics - from income tax and VAT to importing and exporting procedures, smoke free environment law and funding for growing businesses - will be available at the HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) Business Advice Open Day at Market Rasen Race course on Thursday 26 April 2007. Organised by HMRC, the Open Day brings together a wide variety of organisations under one roof and is a unique opportunity to obtain quality advice in a relaxed and informal setting. 

Country/Regional Focus: England, Lincolnshire

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© HM Revenue & Customs (East)

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Royal praise for pub scheme

A scheme which encourages public houses to become the hub of a community has been praised by HRH the Prince of Wales. East Midlands Development Agency's (emda) support for the Pub is the Hub (PITH) scheme was also commended at a special reception at Clarence House recently. Since November 2005 emda has supported the Pub is the Hub scheme with £186,100 of funding. The scheme operates in rural areas across the UK with the aim if improving rural life through the provision of new or improved services, such as shops and post offices. It was established through the Rural Action Team of Business in the Community following support from HRH the Prince of Wales. Of the 18 licensees who attended the event, which was hosted by Prince Charles, eight of them were from successful PITH schemes from across the East Midlands.

Country/Regional Focus: England, East Midlands

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10 April 2007
© emda

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Plunkett and Virsa Response to the Post Office Consultation

Plunkett and ViRSA have already contributed to the Post Office network consultation process in the following ways. Plunkett undertook research on behalf of the DTI in 2006 examining the community owned shop sector and Post Office provision. Both Plunkett and ViRSA were included in the 25 organisations consulted prior to the document being published in December 2006. ViRSA sits on the Postwatch Counter Advisory Group which has submitted a number of responses and the concerns raised through this process will not be repeated here. This submission focuses on those questions that are of particular concern to Plunkett and ViRSA; namely the impact on rural community life and the rural disadvantaged in particular.

Country/Regional Focus: UK

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10 April 2007
© Cancer Research

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Royal Mail announces plans to charge rural areas more for bulk mail

Royal Mail has applied to charge higher prices for delivery of bulk mail to rural destinations. Royal Mail calls this 'zonal pricing' and Postcomm has up to nine months to assess whether, and if so when, this new pricing structure can be implemented. Postcomm, the independent regulator for postal services, has written to customers and operators about an application by Royal Mail to charge large mailers using products which are not part of the Universal Service Obligation (USO) different prices depending on where in the UK their mail is delivered. Nigel Stapleton, Postcomm chairman, said: 'Postcomm will study with great care Royal Mail's request to charge large customers different prices depending on where mail is delivered in the UK. Although these business tariffs are outside the 'one price goes anywhere' guarantee of the Universal Service, customers are entitled to understand Royal Mail's justification and have their say on its plans to charge more for delivery in Greater London and rural areas. In highly populated areas outside London, Royal Mail proposes to reduce prices.'

Country/Regional Focus: UK

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03 April 2007
© Rural Gateway

Crofters Commission

Deputy Rural Development Minister Sarah Boyack today announced the new Chair and three appointments to the Crofters Commission. Drew Ratter will succeed David Green as Chair of the Commission. Ronald Eunson, Angus McHattie and Murdo Maclennan join the Commission as members. Ms Boyack said: 'I am very pleased that we have been able to strengthen the Board at a time of new challenges through the implementation of the Crofting Reform Act. I am delighted that we have been able to attract such a wealth of experience and expertise onto the Board. We are determined to secure the future of crofting well into the 21st century. I am confident that Drew Ratter as the new Chair is well qualified to lead the Commission and help us to deliver that goal.'

Country/Regional Focus: Scotland

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03 April 2007
© Scottish Executive

Green farming schemes on secure footing

Natural England welcomes the Government's announcement that spending on agri-environment schemes will increase from £1 billion from 2000-2006 to almost £3 billion from 2007-2013. Dr Helen Phillips, Natural England's Chief Executive said: 'Natural England has consistently called for increased funding for green farming schemes. As a result of the Government's successful negotiations in Europe and its commitment to the protection and enhancement of our natural environment, the financial future for England's Environmental Stewardship scheme is now on a secure footing.' The Government has confirmed that substantial new investment is available for Higher Level Stewardship. HLS funding will support first-rate environmental land management practices on England's most important and sensitive areas, such as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs). Higher level funding could be targeted to support England's scarce and declining bird species, such as corn bunting and tree sparrows, and breeding waders such as snipe, redshank and lapwings. It could also be used to conserve important wildlife habitats, such as ancient hay meadows, wetlands and heathlands, and boost the condition of England's most sensitive landscapes. Dr Phillips added: 'Significant money has already been invested in agreements under the Environmentally Sensitive Area and Countryside Stewardship Schemes that will expire over the next seven years. We still have a lot to do and will need to take tough decisions to prioritise Higher Level Scheme funding in those areas which produce the highest environmental benefits'.

Country/Regional Focus: UK

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02 April 2007
© Natural England

New look for Defra's website

On Monday 2 April Defra's public website takes on a new look. This is part of Defra's 'brand refresh'; not a new brand, but a fresh, simplified version of the existing brand which allows for a more flexible and creative use of its components. As well as looking different, we have changed the way the site is put together, making it more consistent and easier to maintain. This is part of ongoing work to improve our websites, making them more user friendly in response to customer needs.

Country/Regional Focus: UK

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02 March 2007
© Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs

3.9 Billion Pounds for the English countryside

A £3.9 billion budget for the new Rural Development Programme for England 2007 to 2013 has been agreed. This is more than double the budget available for the previous programme which ran from 2000-2006. This programme will implement the European Rural Development Regulation – also known as the Second Pillar of the Common Agricultural Policy. £3.3 billion of the total budget will be allocated to agri-environment and other land management schemes. This funding will help farmers manage the land more sustainably and deliver important environmental outcomes on biodiversity, landscape and access, water quality and climate change. Some £600 million will also be made available to make agriculture and forestry more competitive and sustainable and to enhance opportunity in rural areas. The rate of voluntary modulation (the transfer of funds from farming subsidies in the first pillar of the CAP to rural development schemes) required to underpin this budget will be 12% for 2007, rising to 13% for 2008, and 14% for the years 2009-2012. 80% of the money raised through voluntary modulation will fund agri-environment schemes and will be co-financed by the UK Government at a rate of 40%. This means that for every £60 raised for agri-environment schemes through voluntary modulation, the Government will contribute a further £40 from national funds. Based on current plans, this decision to co-finance voluntary modulation will result in a net total increase to overall CAP spending in England of some £725 million by end 2013.

Country/Regional Focus: UK

29 March 2007
© Department for Environment, Food And Rural Affairs (National)

New chapter added to agriculture in the United Kingdom 2006 report

Following concerns about the impact on agriculture of crude oil price increases, a new chapter entitled Intermediate consumption has been added to our annual report into UK agriculture. The chapter presents long-term trends in crude oil prices and intermediate consumption e.g. fuels, feed, seeds etc and demonstrates how key inputs, such as fuels, electricity and fertiliser are closely linked to the oil price. Our report Agriculture in the United Kingdom 2006 , is the most authoritative statistical release on agriculture produced by Government, provides a statistical overview of important developments in agriculture in the United Kingdom. Other report contents include information on farming income, farm structure, prices, crop and animal production, costs, the food chain, overseas trade and other agricultural issues.

Country/Regional Focus: UK

29 March 2007
© Department for Environment, Food And Rural Affairs (National)

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Western Isles coast protection

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar has been given approval in principle to proceed with proposals for four coast protection schemes. The Comhairle is now free to progress these schemes and obtain relevant approvals and licences. The Comhairle can then apply to the Scottish Executive for grant of up to 80% of the cost of the works. The Executive has previously approved in principle an investment appraisal for a coast protection scheme at Balivanich, Benbecula. However, without further studies, the Comhairle's investment appraisal for coast protection measures at Gualan Island does not meet technical and economic grounds for Scottish Executive support. Under the Coast Protection Act 1949, it is for local authorities to come forward with suitable coast protection schemes. Schemes are prepared by the local authority, advertised and finally need to be approved by Scottish Ministers to qualify for grant of up to 80 per cent of the cost. The acceptance today of these investment appraisals allows the Comhairle to progress these schemes for statutory approval.

Country/Regional Focus: UK

29 March 2007
© Scottish Executive

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Audit report calls for action to encourage people to visit the Welsh countryside more often

Efforts by the Welsh Assembly Government and other bodies to improve access to the countryside have been successful, according to a new Audit Committee report. However, a number of constraints still have to be overcome if more people, particularly from disadvantaged groups, are to be encouraged to visit and use the countryside more often. The Countryside and Rights of Way Act, which came into force in Wales in May 2005, provided a public right of access to open country and increased the proportion of the Welsh countryside to which the public has access to around 21 per cent. In addition the Assembly Government last year announced a project to improve public access to the Welsh coast.  The Audit Committee’s investigation into access to the countryside found that the Assembly Government, the Countryside Council for Wales and local access authorities implemented the new legislation effectively and on time. This was a notable achievement, not least because the early stages of preparation for implementation coincided with the outbreak of foot and mouth disease.

Country/Regional Focus: Wales
 
27 March 2007
© Department for Work And Pensions (National)


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Funding round-up from Rural Community Gateway

Sandra Hogg's latest news on funding, including new programmes, deadlines and events. Plus "Spotlight on..." For general funding advice, links and information visit Your Funding Guide including: Rural Development Small Awards Fund; Natural Scotland:It's Our Future; Crisis  - Changing Lives Programme; Lloyds TSB Foundation Overseas Award; The People's Millions; Youth in Action; The Hilden Charitable Fund; Lankelly Chase Foundation - Childrens' Playschemes Programme

Country/Regional Focus: Scotland

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16 March 2007
© Rural Community Gateway

Investigation exposes land sales scam

A company marketing plots of land on behalf of a 'land-bank' business has been wound-up by the High Court in Manchester following an investigation by the Companies Investigation Branch (CIB) of the Insolvency Service. From August 2005 to July 2006, Actionjack Limited, using the trading style 'English Land Partnerships' (ELP), carried out a telesales campaign recruiting private individuals to a scheme in which parcels of land were purchased for investment purposes. ELP is described in promotional literature as a land bank business aimed at identifying and securing prime undeveloped land before planning consent is granted. The land is then divided into smaller plots and sold to private individuals with a view to planning permission for the whole site being obtained. Investors were recruited on the basis that the value of a site may increase tenfold if planning permission was obtained. CIB's investigation found that the company had been offering investment advice to the public despite Actionjack and its sales staff having had no previous experience or qualifications to advise members of the public on purchasing land as an investment.

Country/Regional Focus: UK

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15 March 2007
© Insolvency Service (National)

Livestock markets roadshow arrives in Norwich

Defra's Livestock Markets Roadshow is to visit Norwich on Monday, 19 March as part of a round-England tour of 80 market towns and livestock markets throughout 2007. It will spend the day at Norwich Livestock Market in Hall Road at the beginning of week two of the programme. The Livestock Markets Roadshow aims to speak to farmers face-to-face and communicate important messages about biosecurity, new and existing diseases, and many other animal health and welfare issues. The campaign is designed to raise awareness of existing legislation and to impress upon farmers the need to implement best practice to prevent disease outbreaks and the damage they cause to the farming industry. Ben Bradshaw, Minister for Animal Health and Welfare, said: 'The Livestock Markets Roadshow is an excellent opportunity for us to spread the word on best practice and animal welfare requirements to the farming community. Of course the majority of farmers will be law-abiding and looking after their animals properly, but there is always room for improvement and the Livestock Markets Roadshow will help to remind farmers of their obligations while offering practical support and advice.'

Country/Regional Focus: East of England

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13 March 2007
© Department for Environment, Food And Rural Affairs (East)

Spreading prosperity across borders is key to the fortune of North East Wales

North East Wales will be a key driver of the Welsh economy and a place where the strengths of prosperous areas are enhance, linked to areas in need of regeneration, according to the Welsh Assembly Government’s 20-year plan for the development of Wales. An Interim Statement published today (Friday 9 March) on the progress and key findings of the Wales Spatial Plan work in North East Wales, recognises the Wrexham/Chester/Deeside hub as the regional economic driver, supported by a strong network of coastal towns from Llandudno to the Dee Estuary. Inland rural areas will be strengthened in recognition of their central role in proving jobs and services to local communities and the social and economic opportunities stemming from the area’s high quality environment will be utilised in a sustainable way. ‘People, Places, Futures – the Wales Spatial Plan’ engages with a range of sectors to ensure that the Assembly Government and its partners makes decisions based on the different challenges and opportunities in different parts of Wales.

Country/Regional Focus: Wales

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09 March 2007
© Welsh Assembly

Miliband has spoken - now have your say

Countryside campaigners CPRE is inviting everyone to blog their vision for the future of England’s countryside following the major speech it hosted today by David Miliband, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. CPRE Chief Executive Shaun Spiers said: ‘England’s countryside is living through extraordinary times, and it’s changing faster than ever before. The coming years represent a period of unprecedented threats and opportunities.‘David Miliband has made a big and bold speech after spending the day out about in the Green Belt with us, finding out about our concerns and ideas. We’re very grateful for that. Join the debate on how we use our land at www.cpre.org.uk/debates

Country/Regional Focus: UK

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09 March 2007
© CPRE

Flower businesses in Lincolnshire set to bloom

Flower growers in Lincolnshire and elsewhere in the UK are to benefit from a new initiative funded by Leader+ and the Department of Food and Rural Affairs. Although sales of cut flowers have gone up dramatically in the last ten years, a large proportion of the flowers being sold are imported. The UK's first Cut Flower Trials Centre at Kirton, Lincolnshire will be leading the way in reversing this trend. The Trials Centre, to be based at Warwick University's Horticultural Research Institute, will demonstrate, trial and problem solve cut flower production.

Country/Regional Focus: England, East

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09 March 2007
© Department for Environment, Food And Rural Affairs (East Midlands)

Latest agricultural survey for Scotland

Results from the December 2006 Agricultural Survey, which gives a picture of agricultural activity in Scotland, were published today. The trends between December 2005 and December 2006 show:For intensive livestock, the number of pigs fell by five per cent to 469,700, and the number of poultry fell by 11 per cent from 14.6 million to 13.1 million. The number of sheep fell by one per cent from 5.3 million to 5.2 million. The number of cattle also fell by one per cent from 1.90 million to 1.87 million. The area of wheat rose by six per cent from 96,000 hectares to 102,000 hectares. The area of barley was unchanged, remaining at around 55,000 hectares. The total number of regular staff employed fell by four per cent, and there was an increase of seven per cent in the number of casual/seasonal staff. Overall, there was a slight drop in the number of staff employed (down by around 500 to 20,000). The results relate to the annual December agricultural survey of main holdings - i.e. holdings above a certain economic or physical threshold (generally, those of more than one hectare or where the net value of crops & livestock is more than 1.67 European Size Units). The returns are completed by farmers, who provide information on the crops and livestock on the land which they own or rent on a permanent basis. Since 2000 an annual reclassification exercise has been carried out, which results in a number of main holdings being reclassified as minor holdings and vice versa. As these statistics cover main holdings only, there are slight discontinuities in the data since 2000. In 2006 the December agricultural survey covered around 12,000 of the 27,000 main agricultural holdings in Scotland. Since these results are based on a sample, the estimates are subject to a degree of uncertainty.

Country/Regional Focus: Scotland

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07 March 2007
© Scottish Executive

Way forward for crofting

Implementation of the Crofting Reform Act will be taken forward in two stages following Royal Assent, it was announced today. Measures to allow for the creation of new crofts, address neglect or misuse of crofts and ensure that crofters are able to take full advantage of the economic benefits of securing croft land will commence in June this year. Further measures covering the regulatory work of the Crofters Commission and information held on the register of crofts will commence in January 2008. Deputy Rural Development Minister Sarah Boyack said: 'Crofting plays a vital role in the economic and social fabric of rural Scotland. We are committed to securing its future well into the 21st Century. The Crofting Reform Act is a significant piece of legislation. It will allow the creation of new crofts for the first time in a century, ensure that existing croft land is properly used, extend crofting tenure beyond the crofting counties and ensure that crofting communities who acquire their land will secure the economic benefits that come with ownership. Now that the Bill has received Royal Assent we will move quickly to ensure that existing crofters and those who wish to take up crofting can benefit from this new legislation.' The Crofting Reform etc. Act received Royal Assent on March 1, 2007. Scottish Ministers have agreed to commence the provisions in the Act in two stages, June 2007 and January 2008.

Country/Regional Focus: Scotland

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06 March 2007
© Scottish Executive

The British Countryside: The State we're in, 2007

The University of Gloucestershire are holding a conference on the British countryside on 3rd April 2007, from 9.15 until 16.15. It is an opportunity to meet other graduates from the university and professionals within the sector of rural development. This is an opportunity to meet others from your field and discuss initiatives in your area of expertise. This one-day event is an opportunity to consider a multitude of issues surrounding the economy, social factors, environment, heritage, planning, and agriculture, access to the countryside and much more besides. The plan for the day is to have formal presentations in the morning session and after lunch delegates are able to choose their own participation in a workshop relevant to their needs. Workshops will be considering a variety of issues including planning, agriculture, regeneration, rural housing, wildlife and rural transport. The cost for this event is £30 for non-graduates of the University of Gloucestershire and £15 for graduates of the University of Gloucestershire. James Derounian will host the event, in association with the Centre for Active Learning. If you would like to attend this event, or would like further information please contact Laura Lannin, Postgraduate Research Assistant, via email llannin@glos.ac.uk, or telephone (01242) 714685.

Country/Regional Focus: UK

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26 February 2007
© University of Gloucestershire

NFU members can have their say online

NFU members have been given a direct line to the heart of NFU policy-making with the launch of an interactive forum on its website, NFU Online. The 'Have Your Say' feature of the website will enable members to express views on any and every farming-related subject, as well as highlighting consultation exercises and focusing debate on a different key question each week. NFU director of communications Anthony Gibson said: 'This new feature will give grassroots NFU members the chance to get their views direct to the very heart of the organisation. That is good for the members who use the site and it will also be enormously helpful in guiding the policy-making process, because there is nothing like an informed debate for producing good decisions. The timing is ideal, on the eve of our annual conference and with NFU Online celebrating the first anniversary of its re-launch.' www.nfuonline.com replaced the NFU's original website in February last year. The site is visited by over 30,000 people each month, generating around 200,000 page impressions.

Country/Regional Focus: UK

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27 February 2007
© NFU

Non-food crops on menu at farmers breakfast

Non-food crops will be on the menu at a special farmers' breakfast event at Alnwick Gardens next week (Thursday, 1 March). Hosted by the National Non-Food Crops Centre (NNFCC), in York, the event aims to provide information and networking opportunities to farmers, rural businesses and the general public. Exhibitors from across the non-food crops sector will attend, showcasing their renewable products and technologies and delegates will be able to access a host of information on the crops that underpin the expanding renewables sector. Entry to the event is free with the NNFCC flyer, available from the website.

Country/Regional Focus: England

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27 February 2007
© Department for Environment, Food And Rural Affairs (North East)

Postwatch Scotland questionnaire findings in

Did you complete the Postwatch Scotland questionnaire about the consultation on the future of the post office network? Well, the results are in and you can view the findings of the questionnaire in the Rural Gateway document library. The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) are currently consulting on the future of the post office network. Postwatch Scotland recently placed a questionnaire on their website, on the Rural Gateway and sent it electronically to stakeholders. Postwatch received a total of 127 responses by the closing date of 14th February 2007, with many Rural Gateway users taking part. The information gathered will be used to inform Postwatch Scotland's response to the DTI. Tricia Dow, director of Postwatch Scotland said, 'Postwatch Scotland would like to thank everyone who took the time to complete our questionnaire on the Department of Trade and Industry's consultation into the post office network. This consultation ends on 8th March and our response to the consultation, which will incorporate findings from this questionnaire will be placed on Postwatch Scotland's website shortly thereafter.'

Country/Regional Focus: Scotland

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26 February 2007
© Rural Community Gateway

Minister addresses farmers' union

A new food and drink body must help Scottish farming focus on the requirements of consumers, Rural Development Minister Ross Finnie said today. The Minister said that the industry-led body Scotland Food & Drink would help bring farming closer to the demands of the market. Addressing the annual NFU Scotland conference, Mr Finnie said: 'Agriculture must be able to work more closely with food and drink industries to develop markets and educate consumers about food choices. All parts of the industry - producers, processors, the food service sector and retailers - have to work together, communicating with consumers, responding to shifts in consumer demand and making better use of marketing and branding. The vehicle to help us meet that objective is Scotland Food & Drink, the new organisation led by industry and supported by the public sector and others. Scotland Food & Drink will provide leadership, set priorities, anticipate trends, co-ordinate delivery, and utilising Scotland's excellent research, will provide a strong and consistent industry voice on key issues.'

Country/Regional Focus: Scotland

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23 February 2007
© Scottish Executive

Helpline for Muslim women seeks workers in Highlands

A helpline for Muslim women is currently seeking sessional development workers in the Highlands. The Muslim Women's Helpline is part of Amina - the Muslim Women's Resource Centre. It is a confidential information, advice and listening support for Muslim women. The helpline is available Monday to Friday from 9.30am to 5pm on the freephone number 0808 801 0301. The service offers help on a range of concerns including family matters, marriage, domestic abuse and leisure acitivities suitable for Muslim women. Immediately required for the Highland area are sessional development workers. The role will include raising awareness, publicising the helpline and doing outreach work. Spoken fluency in English must be demonstrated and it is desirable, but not essential, to converse in one of the following languages: Urdu, Arabic, Bengali, Punjabi.

Country/Regional Focus: Scotland

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08 February 2007
© Rural Community Gateway

Housing is Scotland's biggest rural issue according to poll

Housing is the biggest issue facing rural Scotland today, according to 29 percent of those who voted in the latest Rural Gateway poll. This is the third time the Gateway has asked users, 'What is the biggest issue facing rural Scotland today?' Windfarms have topped the two previous polls, but this year received only 14 percent of votes, making it joint second along with rural services. Rural housing issues include lack of affordable housing and lack of property to rent. Rampant housing development was also raised as a concern. The Rural Housing Service holds its annual conference on 22nd February 2007, with First Minister Jack McConnell giving the keynote speech. There are still some day delegate places left, and bursaries are available for community groups. The Rural Housing Service works with rural communities and individuals across the whole of Scotland. It is a free service and they are able to visit rural communities who are having local housing problems.

Country/Regional Focus: Scotland

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16 February 2007
© Rural Community Gateway

Scotland's Rural Development Strategic plan published

A strategic plan outlining how the government will target financial support to benefit rural Scotland over the next seven years was published today. Rural Development Minister Ross Finnie said: 'The Strategic Plan shows how Scotland's Rural Development Programme (SRDP) gives us a major opportunity over the next seven years to improve the lives of people in rural Scotland.' The Strategic Plan is being released in advance of the SRDP which will be formally submitted to the European Commission once the necessary European regulations are in place. The Minister added: 'Overall, I'm clear the SRDP will help prepare rural Scotland for the future beyond further reform of the Common Agriculture Policy in 2013.' Scotland's Rural Development Programme will be submitted to the EC once the voluntary modulation regulation is adopted.

Country/Regional Focus: Scotland

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16 February 2007
© Scottish Executive

Government creates greenfield grab for new homes

Green fields in the South East are in danger from housebuilders thanks to new Government rules, says the South East England Regional Assembly's Planning Committee. New rules in Planning Policy Statement 3 on Housing (PPS3) prevent local authorities from relying on unexpected 'windfall' sites when planning where new homes will be built, even though they are an important source of land. This will undermine both local authorities' planning role and Assembly targets for 60% of development on previously used land, as set out in the region's 20 year planning vision - the South East Plan. The Assembly's Planning Committee argues that PPS3 also contradicts other Government policies which encourage building in urban areas and on previously used (brownfield) land.

The new housing rules encourage councils to use greenfield land as a reserve for new homes and also indicate councils can no longer rely on 'windfalls' (land that is not allocated in development plans but could be used). Windfall sites such as small industrial sites, car parks or bus depots often become available for housing after development plans are written, but an allowance for such sites can no longer be built into councils' plans. Councils must therefore identify extra greenfield land for potential housing, but once it is identified - even as a reserve site - Planning Inquiry Inspectors will bring it forward for development. This will undermine councils' role in planning for their areas' needs and will use greenfield land for housing unnecessarily.

Country/Regional Focus: South East
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12 February 2007
© South East England Regional Assembly

Natural England proposes legislation to improve access to England's coastline

Natural England today (14 February) unveiled its proposals for improving access to the English coast. Subject to the approval of its Board on 21 February, Natural England looks set to advise the Government to introduce legislation to create a new right of public access to England's coastline along a continuous access corridor. Natural England was asked by the Government to recommend how best to deliver its manifesto commitment to improve people's access to the English coastline. Comprehensive rights do not currently exist, making access to the coastline difficult, or creating a stop-start effect, in many parts of the country. Since it was created last October, Natural England has re-consulted stakeholders and analysed the options. Sir Martin Doughty, Chair of Natural England said: 'We are minded to advise the Government to provide Natural England with the powers to deliver a new right of access to the coast. My Board will be recommended to approve proposals to create clear and well managed public access along the entire 4000 km length of England's coast. This solution would enable us to focus our resources where they would make the maximum difference. Where existing access works well, we won't intervene.'

Sir Martin continued, 'We want to ensure the right balance between national momentum and local flexibility. Our solution would provide the public with continuous access along the length of the undeveloped English coast and land managers with the opportunity to be involved in designing sensible local solutions. We also want to enhance the coastal environment for both wildlife and the public. This integrated solution exemplifies why Natural England was created in the first place.' A full copy of the proposals that will be considered by Natural England's Board can be found on www.naturalengland.org.uk/about/board/feb07/default.htm

Country/Regional Focus: England
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14 February 2007
© Natural England

Natural England takes wrong turning on coastal access - NFU

Natural England's plans for creating a statutory right of access to coastal land have been sharply criticised by the NFU as being a recipe for confrontation and controversy. The Government's recently formed conservation advisory body has recommended that a coastal access corridor should be created around the whole of the undeveloped English coast, other than where good quality access already exists.  It is arguing against compensation to landowners, despite the fact that there is no provision in the proposals as they stand for land to be closed off for short periods - during lambing, for example - as there is under the access to open country legislation. The NFU argues that this is the wrong approach, and that increased coastal access could be achieved more speedily and with much less controversy and confrontation through local solutions put together by local partnerships.

NFU Deputy President Meurig Raymond commented:  'We share Natural England's aspiration of improving access to the coastline, but we firmly believe that this should be achieved by agreement rather than by imposition. 'These proposals, which appear to take no account at all of entirely justifiable agricultural concerns, can only generate conflict and confrontation, when what we should be cultivating is co-operation and consent. It is a great pity that Natural England should embark on a course of action which, as they must know, risks miring an issue as sensitive and important as increasing access to the coastline in unnecessary controversy."

Country/Regional Focus: England
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14 February 2007
© National Farmers Union

North Wales landowners invited to land a 25 per cent discount with voluntary registration

Landowners in North Wales are being invited to take advantage of a scheme which will give them certainty and security about what they own. Land Registry - the government department responsible for registering land ownership in England and Wales - is currently encouraging landowners, to voluntarily register their land. Wrexham, Gwynedd, Anglesey and Conwy currently have amongst the highest proportions of unregistered land in Wales, while in Wales as a whole, around 47 per cent of the land remains unregistered. Landowners who act now to register their land voluntarily can benefit from a 25 per cent discount on the registration fee. In a bid to urge landowners to register their land, representatives from Land Registry were at Valle Crucis Abbey, near Llangollen, which will be included in the voluntary registration exercise by its managers Cadw on behalf of its owners, the Welsh Assembly Government.

Country/Regional Focus: Wales

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13 February 2007
© HM Land Registry (Wales)

Outstandingly beautiful and sustainable projects thrive thanks to new fund

In its first year, a new fund to boost sustainable development in Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) has succeeded in getting more than four hundred environmentally friendly, community focussed and economically beneficial projects up and running. A total of £8.7m of sustainable development funding helped create projects in thirty-four AONBs (nearly fifteen percent of England) including the re-instalment of a water wheel at Howsham Mill in the Howardian Hills, a biomass development project in Nidderdale Woodlands and a disabled access composting loo called 'Pooh Corner' in the Kent Downs. Andrew Wood, Executive Director of Science and Evidence for Natural England, who manage the scheme, said: 'This funding helps create a sustainable way of life for people living in areas of finest countryside. AONBs prosper when communities work together to support the local economy and care for the sensitive and unique environment. 'In a rapidly evolving and ever-encroaching modern world, it's great to see so many people-powered projects working for a healthy and sustainable natural environment. This helps us look at future challenges and the measures needed to protect our treasured landscapes.' Defra asked Natural England to set up a Sustainable Development Fund to help protect AONBs, while ensuring local communities prosper. Natural England is working with local AONB partnerships on issuing funds and finding the best ways of making the money work for individual sites.

Country/Regional Focus: England

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12 February 2007
© Natural England

Capacity Building in Progress!

Networks Online, the collaborative ICT network provided by ruralnet|uk has been relaunched. A capacity building grant from the Active Communities Directorate has enabled ruralnet|uk to radically overhaul its online services. This has allowed ruralnet|uk to make its service simpler, easier to access and more effective. This will benefit over 4,000 Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) customers by simplifying access to the capacity building resources contained within the network. Exhaustive research into customer need in partnership with Community Action Network (CAN) and Action with Communities in Rural England (ACRE) has resulted in significant improvements to the layout, functionality and content of the service, including: A simplified, cleaner look and feel to the interface; Coupled with new and improved content to Experts Online, the Networks Online service providing knowledge, support and skills for the sector. The service has been restructured and new experts have been recruited growing the breadth of the service into accounting and book keeping. A strategic alliance with GRANTfinder has been forged so Networks Online customers can access funding information directly.

Country/Regional Focus: UK

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12 February 2007
© ruralnet|uk

Turning dreams into reality in a Leicestershire village

A couple from a Leicestershire village wanting to open a community youth facility have been receiving expert business advice to help turn their dream into a reality. Paul and Heidi Allen, of Avenue South in Earl Shilton, want to set up 'Iggies Play Emporium' to increase the number of facilities for young people in the village. The couple are registered child minders and would like the venue to become an asset for Earl Shilton offering something to those aged from eight upwards. To help them get it off the ground, the couple have received support through the Leicestershire Social Enterprise Development Project. This new project offers step by step professional guidance and training to people across Leicestershire thinking about setting up social enterprises with community benefits and residents are being urged to make the most of it.    Zee Sunsoay, the Business Services Coordinator at Leicester Community Action Network (CAN) who are managing the project, said, 'We are on the lookout for more people like Paul and Heidi who are hoping to make real changes in their local community.'

Country/Regional Focus: England

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08 February 2007
© Leicestershire Rural Partnership

Call for Evidence: Can rural councillors make a difference?

We're launching a national inquiry to explore the opportunities and challenges for rural councillors and what stands in the way of them doing more to help rural people have greater influence over local decisions. Rural England’s population is represented by shire county, unitary and district councils, over 8000 parish and town councils, plus a wide variety of local groups and partnerships. Yet nearly half of rural people do not believe they can influence decisions and only a quarter of rural people would channel their views through their local councillor. 'We know that rural councillors play a hugely important role on behalf of rural communities. But we also know that many rural people do not feel involved in local decision making, even though they would like their views to be heard. We're seeking views about how to strengthen the role of local councillors in rural areas. We want to hear people’s views, experiences and ideas about what works, what needs changing and what the role of councillors should be in the future.'

Country/Regional Focus: UK

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09 February 2007
© Commission for Rural Communities Communities

Parish to lead MEPs in agriculture

Somerset pig farmer makes it big in the European Parliament. A UK MEP will take a central role in EU agriculture after being elected by colleagues to become the chairman of the European Parliament’s Agriculture Committee. Neil Parish, Conservative Member of the European Parliament for the South West, started farming at the age of sixteen when he began running his parents farm. Mr Parish is known for his free market attitude and liberal thinking. He worked on the lifting of the UK beef ban and has been vocal in campaigning against the European Commission proposal to introduce national modulation from farm payments. In his new role, Mr Parish would like to see a comprehensive reform of the Common Agricultural Policy, and will push for farmers to get involved with energy crops and to take advantage of the increased demand for local production. He said: 'As a former farmer, I am delighted to have been chosen for this role. In the next thirty months, my main goal will be to move EU spending priorities away from production-based subsidies while ensuring we maintain a level playing field across Europe.'

Country/Regional Focus: England, South West, EU

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06 February 2007
© NFU Online

Funding for Edinburgh Festival

The Scottish Executive and the Scottish Arts Council have pledged £350,000 funding support for The Edinburgh International Festival. Scottish Arts Council (SAC) will contribute £200,000, while the Scottish Executive will contribute a further £150,000 to the Festival's 2007 programme. Culture Minister Patricia Ferguson said: 'This funding for the 2007 Festival recognises our commitment to the event and also reflects its contribution to the cultural life of the whole economy. It is important that we consider the Festival's longer term financial stability with the Director and other key stakeholders, as recently recommended in the 'Thundering Hooves' report. We are closely examining the report's recommendations about future support for all of Edinburgh's festivals to ensure their longer term survival and international competitiveness.' Graham Berry, Chief Executive, Scottish Arts Council, said: 'The Scottish Arts Council has always expressed its desire to share the exceptional work shown in Edinburgh during August with a wider Scottish audience and we believe that this proposal from the Edinburgh International Festival serves that need. There is also an incentive in the proposal for Scottish artists to develop work which aims for the high standard for which the International Festival is world-renowned. Partnerships are central to the success of this type of initiative and we welcome the City of Edinburgh's commitment to considering the proposal, alongside the Scottish Executive's agreement that the plan merits our additional support from the Scottish Arts Council.'

Country/Regional Focus: Scotland

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09 February 2007
© Scottish Executive

Laser trial: guilty until proven innocent

Countryside campaigners CPRE are sceptical over Southampton City Council’s decision to carry out a trial of its laser lighting scheme before deciding whether to go ahead with a permanent installation. They remain fundamentally opposed to the concept, which would see beams of laser light shooting across miles of countryside – including the New Forest National Park, the East Hampshire and South Downs Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the Isle of Wight. CPRE Hampshire’s planning group chairman John Cooper said: 'This trial is better than blundering straight into this ill-conceived idea. But the basis on which the trial is taking place is flawed. We need to know exactly when and how the trial will take place and everyone should be given the opportunity to observe and comment. We'll be watching carefully, but we have grave doubts. The notion that Southampton would strengthen its ‘brand’ by beaming bright green beams of coloured light deep into rural night skies is utterly mistaken. The city would be a much better neighbour if it left it to nature to provide a light show of moon, stars and planets in the nearby countryside. From the reactions we have heard so far, the City risks upsetting its immediate neighbours if it adopts this idea.'

Country/Regional Focus: England, South West

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08 February 2007
© CPRE

Get your voice heard - the rural post office network - www.ruralaction.org.uk

Everyone has a view on the future of the rural post office network - but will everyone's views be heard? Perhaps you have a good idea on the future of the network; perhaps your own experience shows a vital aspect has been over-looked.  Now there is a simple way to get your point across quickly and easily. The recent popularity in 'blogging' - contributing to a weblog or online message board - has inspired ruralnet|uk to set up a blog for this issue: a simple technique allowing thousands to add their personal comments to the debate. Over half of all UK homes have access to an online computer - as well as libraries, youth clubs, schools, day centres, UK online centres, and even some Post Offices! Anyone with an interest can visit the blog and leave their comment on the consultation questions, and read what others are saying.

ruralnet|uk Chief Executive, Simon Berry said 'Government consultations are all very well, but they are time consuming and complicated. Fine for the professionals but not for the people affected. It will take just a few moments for anyone to have their say in our collective consultation and their views will go straight to the government.' Visit www.ruralaction.org.uk, click any of the 'Comment' links and have your say. You can comment on as little or as much as you like. It is as simple and quick as that. There is no printing or sending to do. At the end of the consultation period, ruralnet|uk undertakes to summarise objectively all the comments received, and feed them into the Government's consultation procedure. Says Simon: 'We were the first to use the internet to run a collective consultation on the 'first' rural white paper way back in the spring of 1999 when we received 1154 contributions. It was said to be 'one of the most useful submissions received'. So we know that a collective view from rural people, presented by us will carry a lot of weight. So, don't be left out: go to www.ruralaction.org.uk state your views and have an impact on the future of post office services in rural areas.

Country/Regional Focus: UK
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08 February 2007
© ruralnet|uk

37 out of 38 proposed Exempt Postcode Districts are in Scotland

Postwatch Scotland, the watchdog for postal services, has learnt that under the government's proposals for access criteria to post offices in remote rural areas, currently being consulted on, 37 of the 38 postcode districts that are proposed to be exempt will be in Scotland. The proposed criterion for remote rural areas is that 95 percent of customers should live within 6 miles of a post office service. This could be a traditional post office or a service provided by innovative means, such as a mobile post office. The government has stated, however, that of the 2,795 postcode districts throughout the UK, 38 do not currently meet this criterion, and they would continue to be exempt from doing so.

Alan Alexander, Chair of Postwatch Scotland, commenting on this news said: 'This is obviously a significant issue for many customers in remote rural areas of Scotland. Communities will want the government to arrive at a decision that ensures their needs are taken into proper consideration. 'Postwatch will be addressing this point in our response to the government's consultation. Whilst we are still formulating our final response, we believe there is either a strong case for customers in these postcode districts to be given the same protection as other deep rural dwellers, or there may be a need for the government to set specific access criteria for remote Scottish areas.

Country/Regional Focus: Scotland
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24 January 2007
© Postwatch Scotland

Farm income figures show tide is turning but problems remain

The improved farm income figures announced by Defra today are good news for farming and good news for Britain but significant short-term problems remain for the industry, NFU President Peter Kendall said. Mr Kendall said: 'While these figures give a clear indication that the tide is turning for British farming, there are still significant issues that need to be resolved if the industry is to exploit fully the opportunities that are out there. The underlying situation has improved significantly, thanks to a consuming public who are increasingly conscious of food miles and food provenance, the growing demand for biofuels both at home and abroad, and a tighter world food supply/demand balance. But while all this is good news for farming, and for Britain, very real short-term problems remain that need to be tackled to ensure the improvement continues. Milk, beef and lamb prices remain well short of the level needed to provide long-term sustainability, SPS delivery is still causing problems for many farmers, and the issue of bovine TB and pre-movement testing needs to be sorted out. The tide is turning but there is still a lot of work to do and we look forward to working with the Government so we can take full advantage of the changing situation and strengthen security in food and bioenergy supplies, meet the growing demand for local, high welfare, low food mile, food products, contribute to a stronger and more vibrant economy, and provide an even more diverse and beautiful countryside.'

Country/Regional Focus: UK

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02 February 2007
© NFU

Access All Areas: Meeting the needs of rural communities

Does your voluntary or community organisation work across both urban and rural areas? Or perhaps you are based in a town or city but support organisations across a wider area? If so, Access All Areas, the forthcoming NCVO guide to rural proofing for voluntary and community organisations is for you. Access All Areas provides voluntary and community organisations with an introduction to rural proofing, explaining why it is important and providing ideas on how you could start rural proofing your work. It has been developed with a Steering Group made up of voluntary sector representatives and draws on existing guides and voluntary sector good practice. Access All Areas will be launched at NCVO's Rural Conference on 1st February and will be available to download following the launch. Access All Areas will be launched at NCVO’s Rural Conference on 1st February and will be available to download following the launch.

Country/Regional Focus: UK

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30 January 2007
© NCVO

New paper outlines views on the place of 'Rural' Within Central, Regional and Local Government

The Commission for Rural Communities have prepared this paper of our views to help Defra and others with an interest in 'rural' to think about how this can be best managed, nationally regionally and locally, in the future. Defra has been reviewing all its activities and policies. This includes the 'governance architecture' introduced by the Rural White Paper 2000, the Rural Strategy 2004, and the Modernising Rural Delivery review 2003-06. An important part of the review has been looking at the experience of, and further prospects for rural proofing (taking rural needs and circumstances into account when developing policies and delivering programmes), and mainstreaming (considering rural circumstances as part of everyday policy making, and not separately, throughout government).
Country/Regional Focus: UK

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29 January 2007
© Commission for Rural Communities

Partnership Initiative tackles Digital Divide in Northern Ireland

The EverybodyOnline project was launched in Northern Ireland this week to help excluded communities engage with digital technology and the Internet. EverybodyOnline Northern Ireland was launched by Minister David Hanson at a reception at The Grand Opera House, Belfast on Tuesday 23rd January.   Despite 100% broadband availability, research commissioned by the Digital Inclusion Unit within the Department of Finance & Personnel in 2006, shows that 43% of Northern Ireland's population do not make use of the Internet  (NISRA Northern Ireland Omnibus Survey March 2006). Alastair Hamilton, Managing Director, BT Northern Ireland said: 'BT is especially pleased that the programme addresses the obstacles people encounter getting online through the lack of skills or confidence. Most importantly the projects will address the needs of the elderly, the less able bodied and those living in rural communities and help them become digitally included. ' The EverybodyOnline project in Northern Ireland is a joint initiative of BT and the Delivery & Innovation Division within the Department of Finance and Personnel, delivered by charity Citizens Online.
Country/Regional Focus: Northern Ireland

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23 January 2007
© Citizens Online

Migrant workers are vital to rural communities, but a report reveals that exploitation by employers isn't their only problem

We have become increasingly concerned about the effect this has had on already over-stretched public services in rural areas. Stuart Burgess, Chair of the Commission for Rural Communities. With virtually no unemployment amongst the Eastern European migrants, 90% of businesses in Lincolnshire dependent on agriculture and related food processing rely on cheap migrant labour. Peter Hetherington paints a bleak picture of the living conditions that these diligent workers are bound to by gangmasters. The Commission for Rural Communities' latest paper doesn't deny the economic benefits of the 600,000 new workers but highlights the strain on public services. Stuart Burgess, Chair of the CRC says, 'It is now up to the government, local councils, businesses and voluntary services to work together to ensure migrant workers are fully integrated'. The report says: 'Doctors, electricians, managers can be found working as line operatives...Labour providers do not appear to be interested in the qualifications migrant workers have, or in utilising them accordingly.'

Country/Regional Focus: UK

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25 January 2007
© BITC

Bill passed to secure future of crofting

The Scottish Parliament today overwhelmingly backed a Bill to revitalise Scotland's crofting communities. The Crofting Reform Bill introduces powers to create new crofts, bring neglected croft land back into productive land and extend crofting tenure beyond the crofting counties. It builds on the Executive's land reform legislation which has already seen successful community buy-outs of croft land. Speaking during the stage three debate Rural Development Minister Ross Finnie said: 'This is an important Bill. Already the Land Reform Act has liberated and inspired crofting communities. This Bill was introduced to promote more sustainable crofting communities, more local involvement in crofting administration, simplified crofting regulation, more active crofters and to give crofters greater scope to diversify their activities.' Deputy Rural Development Minister Sarah Boyack added: 'Crofting has played a vital role in sustaining remote rural communities and the economy of the Highlands and Islands. This Bill is not the last word in crofting legislation.. It is part of a long term commitment by the Executive to the future of crofting, crofting communities and some of the most fragile island and rural parts of Scotland. Its will help to bring new business and new blood into crofting areas, revitalising crofting for the 21st century.'

Country/Regional Focus: Scotland

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25 January 2007
© Scottish Executive

Retail at the crossroads?

'The Competition Commission's inquiry is now entering a critical period. We want its final report to stem the remorseless growth of superstores and the big retailers that dominate our food shopping and to support remedies that offer a real choice of shops with accessible, affordable local food for local communities.' This was the reaction of CPRE's rural policy campaigner Graeme Willis today (Tuesday) to the Competition Commission's 'emerging thinking' from its UK groceries market investigation. While the Commission is set to focus on local markets, it has little to say so far about Tesco and Sainsbury moving into the convenience sector or the continuing loss of local independent stores. On their own analysis 2,400 have disappeared since 2000. The commission's analysis of market structure also misses a vital point: while considering the choice of large grocery outlets (above 1,400 square metres) within 10 or 15 minutes drivetime of shoppers, it says nothing about those wanting to or having to shop on foot, bicycle or public transport. Superstores do little to improve access for the elderly or disadvantaged or the carbon conscious among us. Nor do they do much for rural populations losing their local village store as superstores increase their market share.

There are useful findings on the planning system in today's 'emerging thinking' report. According to the Commission there is little to show that it is acting as a barrier to entry into the market or to hold back competition. It suggests that the 'sequential test' in planning - prioritising town centre locations for retail development - and the 'needs test' - assessing the requirement for additional retail floorspace - are not 'constraining the building of larger supermarkets'. This provides welcome support for retaining both tests to maintain a strong planning system which can bring together environmental, social and economic concerns in decisions that work for the whole community.

Country/Regional Focus: UK
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23 January 2007
© Campaign to Protect Rural England

Living in rural Scotland photo competition launched

The Rural Gateway website has launched its first photo competition, with the theme 'Living in rural Scotland.' The public are being asked to submit images that reflect what it is like to live and work in Scotland's rural communities. Photos could feature people at work, taking part in a community event or enjoying a hobby, for example. Launching the competition, Gateway Editor Norette Ferns said , 'This is an exciting new development for the Rural Gateway. I am very much looking forward to seeing the submissions and predict that there will be a lot of variety in the subjects we see. The theme is living in rural Scotland, so we don't want to see beautiful sunsets. We want to see people doing things like going to work, walking the dog and taking part in a family activity. We would prefer that photos reflect the season they are submitted in, but apart from that we would encourage people to be creative!'

The competition will run for a year, with monthly prizes being awarded at the end of each calendar month - the winners chosen by the Rural Gateway team. But, at the end of the year, it will be down to the public to decide which image deserves the title of Rural Gateway Photo of the Year 2007, when all 12 monthly winners go head to head in an online poll. The best submissions will feature in a monthly gallery on the Rural Gateway website.

Country/Regional Focus: Scotland
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16 January 2007
© Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations

Capacitybuilders Grant to Help Rural Communities

It's a great start to the year for Rural Regeneration Charity, ruralnet|uk who have secured £96,000 grant funding from Government body, 'Capacitybuilders'. The funding will be used to provide isolated rural communities with the expertise and support to use ICT to build capacity and overcome isolation. In partnership with the 'Teesdale Village Hall Consortium', the programme will initially benefit 33 community groups. It will then be promoted on a national basis through further partnerships. ruralnet|uk will use this experience to deliver solutions that support Third Sector organisations' work, build capacity and enable organisations to help their beneficiaries through an outcome-based approach. Simon Marshall, ruralnet|uk's Business Development Manager says, "We are delighted to receive this grant and look forward to working with the Teesdale Village Hall Consortium. The partnership will provide an opportunity to make a real difference by developing strategic management skills along with ICT capacity in one of the most isolated areas within the third sector."

Country/Regional Focus: England

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22 January 2007
© ruralnet|uk

State of the Countryside Updates

In addition to our annual State of the Countryside report we recognise the need for more detailed, topic-focused updates, produced as new data and information is released. These State of the Countryside Updates will allow us to monitor key national rural indicators and to track change over time. The updates are also one way in which we fulfil our role as an independent watchdog. Our first update is on Population and Migration More updates will be added here over the coming months, including: Benefit Claimants in rural England and cash purchases of housing stock

Country/Regional Focus: UK

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19 January 2007
© Commission for Rural Communities

Standing Up, Taking Part: Participation and Rural Voluntary Action

Event: 1 February 2007, NCVO Conference Suite, London. Develop your understanding of how rural voluntary organisations can contribute to community engagement. This event includes a range of workshops on topics like community assets, volunteering and local governance. Bursary places are available for small, low income organisations.

Country/Regional Focus: UK

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17 January 2007
© NCVO

Landbankers selling rural England by the pound

Countryside campaigners CPRE today (Friday) launch a campaign against a growing carve up of England’s countryside. It leaves fields and woods at risk of being disfigured and neglected. Small investors from across the globe are being sold plots of rural land on hundreds of sites across England in order to build homes on them. Their chances of success are very low and their ‘investments’ are likely to fail, because permission to develop cannot be obtained on the great majority of the land.But that has not stopped more than two dozen separate ‘landbanking’ operations from using glossy advertising and high pressure sales techniques to lure in gullible investors. CPRE fears top economist Kate Barker’s review of planning, commissioned by HM Treasury and published last week, could pour fuel on the flames of small investor landbanking.

CPRE is combining with MPs from all parties to call for the Government to clamp down on the schemes. Greg Mulholland, Liberal Democrat MP for Leeds North West, has today issued an Early Day Motion (494) supporting our campaign.CPRE has found nearly 30 operators involved in buying up land in open countryside and subdividing it into small plots, sometimes with stakes and fences. They then market the plots, mostly via the Internet, as having potential for development, with inflated prices to match.

Country/Regional Focus: England
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15 December 2006
© Campaign to Protect Rural England

Pensioners will be biggest losers from Post Office closure programme

Britain's biggest pensioner organisation, the National Pensioners Convention (NPC), has accused the government of deliberately undermining the Post Office network in order to propose future closures.   Dot Gibson, NPC vice president said: "The government clearly has blood on its hands from these cuts. Even though the closures have been known about for sometime, they still come as a devastating blow for millions of pensioners who rely on their local post office as a lifeline to the wider community. The government deliberately undermined the post office network when it started paying pensions and benefits directly into people's bank accounts and must now take the blame for the loss of income that has inevitably followed as a result."
Country/Regional Focus: UK

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14 December 2006
© National Pensioners Convention

Council leaders offer help to keep rural post office services as local as possible

Following the announcement by the Department of Trade and Industry to launch a consultation into cutting the subsidy to rural post offices across the country, council leaders have offered to help preserve rural post office services by investigating ways in which the services can be maintained through council offices or premises. The Chairman of the Local Government Association, Sandy Bruce-Lockhart has offered to look at ways that councils could reduce the impact on rural communities and vulnerable people if post offices were to close. If Ministers agree, councils up and down the country will be urged to begin a process to try and identify publicly owned buildings near to local communities; such as libraries, town halls and council run leisure centres, to ensure that key services currently provided by the post office are not moved miles from local people.
Country/Regional Focus: UK

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14 December 2006
© Local Government Association

NFU gives cautious welcome to Rural Development Programme contingency arrangements

The NFU has given a cautious welcome to the Government’s plan to keep the Environmental Stewardship and Hill Farm Allowance schemes open for new applications as attempts to sort out the controversy surrounding delays to the next Rural Development Programme for England and voluntary modulation regulation continue. But it expressed disappointment that no new applications would be accepted under the Energy Crops Scheme during the first part of next year. The news came in a written statement by David Miliband about the contingency arrangements for the delay to the start of the RDP for England 2007-13. An NFU spokesman said the Government needed to take steps to ensure farmers’ positions were safeguarded if any changes were needed to 2007 agri-environment agreements. 'While we’re happy that the land management schemes remain open, especially HFA and ELS, the news that no new applications will be accepted for the Energy Crops Scheme in the first part of 2007 is very disappointing and we sincerely hope the scheme will be reopened to new applicants in the summer.'
Country/Regional Focus: UK

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13 December 2006
© NFU

Cost sharing debate must redefine Defra's relationship with farmers, says NFU

The debate over responsibility and cost sharing for animal health and welfare must bring about a cultural change in the relationship between Defra and farmers, the NFU said today. Following the launch of a Defra consultation on the principles of responsibility and cost sharing, NFU President Peter Kendall said: 'This consultation exercise must bring about a real and genuine discussion about how farmers and Defra can work towards a partnership approach to animal health and welfare policy. Farmers are aware of the importance of keeping their animals healthy and free from disease so it is clearly in our interest to have a much greater say in how animal health and welfare policy is developed and implemented.' While the NFU acknowledges there are pressures on Defra’s budgets, it is adamant that this debate must not be focused just on costs. Mr Kendall said: 'While costs are clearly an issue for Defra, they are also an issue for farmers. Livestock keepers already pay a heavy cost and regulatory burden for animal health and welfare policies and the industry simply cannot afford to have further costs imposed on it.'
Country/Regional Focus: UK

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14 December 2006
© NFU

Government sets out proposals to preserve National Post Office network

The Government today announced an investment package worth up to £1.7 billion for the Post Office designed to preserve the national network, and set it on a firm footing. The new strategy for the Post Office network was announced by Trade and Industry Secretary Alistair Darling today in a statement to the Commons. He stressed that with ongoing Government support and some rationalisation, the national network could be maintained for the long term, particularly protecting vulnerable communities in our villages, towns and cities. 

Alistair Darling outlined the Government's ongoing support for a national network, but stated the need for there to be some reduction in network size, to reflect the fewer number of people regularly using the post office and the losses the network continued to make. Last year the network lost £2 million every week, rising this year to £4 million despite an annual public subsidy of £150m. As part of the strategy Post Office Ltd will open at least 500 new outlets to provide access to services for small remote communities using mobile post offices and hosting post offices in other businesses such as pubs, community centres and village halls. A consultation seeking views on the Government's proposals opens today, with the last date for responses being 8 March 2007.

Country/Regional Focus: UK
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14 December 2006
© Department of Trade and Industry

All Party Parliamentary Group for Sub Post Offices

In anticipation of the Government's announcement on the Post Office network expected later this week, the All Party Parliamentary Group for Sub Post Offices and the National Federation of SubPostmasters today convened a meeting of organisations with the shared interest of securing the post office network in the future.   The group plans to campaign together over the coming months to co-ordinate the wide spread public concern over the future of post office services. All the organisations present will press the Government to recognise the social and economic importance of post offices in both rural and urban areas.  Collectively these organisations have members in and work with every community in the United Kingdom.   

The organisations represented at the meeting were:  Age Concern,  Citizens Advice,  Communication Workers Union,  Countryside Alliance,  National Consumer Council,  National Federation of Womens Institutes,  National Federation of SubPostmasters,  National Pensioners Convention,  Royal National Institute for the Blind.  Kate Hoey MP, Chairman of the All Party Group said, 'Post offices provide hugely significant social and economic benefits to their communities. The Government must recognise this in its forthcoming announcement and commit to funding the network accordingly.'

Country/Regional Focus: UK
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12 December 2006
© National Federation of SubPostmasters

Post Office Card Account is a lifeline for pensioners - says Help the Aged

As Ministers consider the future of the Post Office network, Help the Aged has published the results of a survey into older people's views about the Post Office Card Account. An overwhelming majority (85 per cent) of respondents want the Government to keep the Post Office Card Account. That figure rises to 90 per cent among pensioners who do not have immediate access to a bank branch nearby.  84 per cent also want local post offices to continue with distribution of pensions and benefits, even when the Post Office Card Account is scrapped.

David Sinclair, Senior Policy Manager at Help the Aged, said: 'The long term future of the Post Office network is at a tipping point. Ministers must commit to the subsidy for rural branches, and help must be given to small post offices in deprived communities.  'There is lot more to the Post Office than merely places where older people go to a buy a stamp - they are literally a lifeline for thousands of poorer pensioners. Closing down branches or scrapping services with no thought for the future will be a real blow. 'The Post Office Card Account is a vital part of their services. It allows older people to access simple banking facilities which are so important to their daily lives. Scrapping it will hit pensioners hard, and deliver the very worst sort of Christmas present.'

Country/Regional Focus: UK
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14 December 2006
© Help the Aged

Businesses demand a shake-up of postal services

The Federation of Small Businesses has called for a sustained approach from regulators to preserve the existing levels of post offices across the UK and to improve the postal service offered to small business customers by Royal Mail. The survey of more than 3,000 small businesses across the UK found that post offices were vital to the survival of 82% of small businesses.  It also found that the introduction of Pricing in Proportion (PiP) by Royal Mail has increased postage costs for 43% of firms and time spent on preparing the mail for 44% of businesses.  48% of firms reported that their mail arrives later than it used to before the Single Daily Delivery was introduced.

Clive Davenport, FSB Trade and Industry Chairman, said: 'It is impossible to overstate how vital the postal system is to small firms and to the UK economy.  With small firms employing fifty eight per cent of the private sector workforce, the Government has to commit to supporting the future of post offices.  Greater scrutiny of Royal Mail is also required. In terms of paying bills and invoicing customers the postal service remains the only small business choice despite the increasing use of new technology.  This is partly explained because of recent closures of high street bank branches. The future of post offices cannot be considered in isolation and policy decisions, such as the post office card account, have to be made with the bigger picture in mind.  Unintended consequences from such decisions could spell disaster for the UK economy.  This can and should be avoided.' The survey of FSB members found: 88% of small firms send mail every day; 69% send invoices through the post; 87% of all mail is business mail; 41% of firms use the postal system to order goods on which the running of their business depends.

Country/Regional Focus: UK
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05 December 2006
© Federation of Small Businesses

Stop a 'Beeching Axe' falling on rural post offices

The Government must take responsibility for preventing the axing of thousands of rural post offices which would damage rural communities and their sustainability. This is the message from the Campaign to Protect Rural England as the nation waits to see whether rural post offices will be thrown a life line by the Government or be consigned to wholesale closures from 2008. 'Despite a clear and articulate campaign across the land led by the National Federation of Subpostmasters, there is still no sign that the great social and environmental value of the network of rural post offices has been recognised, said Tom Oliver, Head of Rural Policy at CPRE. 'It would be shameful were the Government to wash its hands of this urgent issue. The welfare of many people who live in rural areas and specially those who are old or young or without cars is at stake, Tom Oliver continued.

CPRE's own research and monitoring of local rural communities indicates that rural post offices play a key role in: making it possible to live and work in smaller rural settlements without excessive dependence on car journeys; retaining a day to day central place for much community life, particularly significant for the young, old, infirm and vulnerable and; acting as a seed bed for many local businesses, specially where a local shop and a post office are combined. 

Country/Regional Focus: UK
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11 December 2006
© Campaign to Protect Rural England

Committee of Inquiry on crofting

A Committee of Inquiry established to examine how crofting can best contribute to improving the economy, social infrastructure and environment of rural Scotland will be chaired by Professor Mark Shucksmith. The Committee aims to engage proactively with crofting communities to establish a vision for the future of crofting. It will look at the role and functioning of the Crofters' Commission and the other issues surrounding modern day crofting. Announcing the appointment and the Committee's terms of reference, Deputy Minister for Environment and Rural Development Rhona Brankin said: 'I welcome the appointment of Professor Shucksmith, who has considerable experience of working in crofting and rural communities and of the rural housing market. Crofting has supported and sustained rural communities for generations. It is now time for us to look again at how best to ensure that future arrangements for crofting help to sustain and enhance the population of rural Scotland, improve economic vitality, safeguard our landscape and biodiversity and promote cultural diversity. I look forward to working with Professor Shucksmith to determine the composition of the committee so that it can call on the full range of skills required to address the important task before it. We shall be looking to appoint members with knowledge of crofting conditions across all the main crofting areas of the Highlands and Islands.'

Country/Regional Focus: Scotland

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12 December 2006
© Scottish Executive

Responsibility and cost sharing for animal health and welfare: Defra seeks views on principles

Defra today launched a consultation exercise on the principles that will help shape future policy on the sharing of responsibilities and costs in relation to animal health and welfare. This seeks to open a discussion with the livestock industry, consumers and all those with an interest in animal health and welfare on future options of the future management of animal health policy. This type of approach will provide opportunities for improved regulation and reduce the regulatory burden in the future. The industry will benefit from an increased involvement in the decision making process in this area which should result in a greater ability to respond and deliver efficient solutions in the future. This consultation applies to England only; parallel consultations have been issued in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The consultation will close in twelve weeks time on the 12th March 2007. Animal Welfare Minister Ben Bradshaw said: 'This consultation is not a Government presentation of detailed options, or proposals. It is about defining a new relationship between Government and industry. The detail of how that relationship will work needs to be developed in partnership.'

Country/Regional Focus: UK

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11 December 2006
© Department for Environment, Food And Rural Affairs (National)

Ensuring appropriate development in flood risk areas On CPRE's 80th Birthday, Poll Shows, Countryside Matters More than Ever

Exactly 80 years after the Campaign to Protect Rural England was founded, an opinion poll has revealed how important England's countryside is to people -wherever they live. Four in every five people say they visit the countryside for leisure and pleasure at least a few times a year, while more than half (54%) say they visit at least once every quarter. 45% say they get out into the countryside for recreation at least once a month; more than a quarter visit at least once a fortnight (29%). The need to get out into the countryside runs strong and deep among people living in large towns and cities. Almost half of them (48%) say they visit it for leisure at least once every quarter. Our survey, carried out by YouGov Plc, asked people to write down, in a few words, what they most valued about the countryside. 'Peace and quiet' or tranquillity came top, followed by fresh air, beautiful landscapes and nature and wildlife.

Country/Regional Focus: UK

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07 December 2006
© CPRE