Archived decisions

Hampshire County Council

Cabinet Item 5a

7 July 2008

Rural Delivery Strategy for Hampshire County Council - Supporting Hampshire's Rural Communities

Report of the Chief Executive (Rural Delivery Task Group)

Contact: John Tickle Tel: ext. 6000 e-mail: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 The following decision is sought:

      That Cabinet:

        a) Agrees the vision underpinning the role of the County Council in supporting rural communities and that this should link to the Local Area Agreement and Sustainable Community Strategy - "Rural Communities that are resilient and sustainable socially, economically and environmentally".

        b) Supports the development of a Rural Delivery Strategy for the County Council and agrees the timeline and approach set out in Appendices 1 and 2, including appropriate external consultation, and that this process:

            i. reviews existing spatial policy to identify the changes needed to deliver sustainable rural communities;

            ii. builds upon successful projects and experience emerging from the Rural Pathfinder Programme and other good practice;

            iii. engages effectively with key partner organisations involved in supporting rural communities;

            iv. establishes an appropriate mechanism to monitor and review the implementation and effectiveness of the strategy;

            v. supports the development of the socio-economic profile for rural areas as an important evidence base for future action.

        c) Fully supports and facilitates better inter-departmental collaboration and co-ordination of work to maximise effectiveness and efficiency, with particular focus upon existing County Council assets, information, grant support initiatives and accessibility to services in rural areas.

    d) Approves the implementation of a series of early interventions to support capacity building in rural communities, listed in Appendix 3 (identifying the resources required to achieve them.)

    e) Agrees the need for a more joined up approach to the communication and `branding' of support for rural communities and development of an associated communication and marketing plan.

    f) Supports the move to develop a Hampshire Rural Forum and Central Hampshire Conference with a focus upon securing advice, support and action in rural communities. (See separate agenda item).

2. Reasons for the Recommendation

2.1 This report and supporting document highlights the key service delivery issues faced by Hampshire County Council in supporting rural communities and areas. It considers how the County Council can improve its service delivery and work more effectively with its partners to support rural communities. The crucial interdependence between more rural areas and major urban settlements is recognised as a key factor in sustaining the vitality of the County. With the planned level of development in Hampshire over the next 20 years, major changes in agriculture, and the expectation of the designation of a second national park, it is of vital importance that the County Council protects and enhances the rural environment, its economy and its communities. Hampshire County Council is uniquely placed through its delivery of services and the management of its assets to influence the shaping of Hampshire's rural areas and their links to urban areas.

2.2 The key challenges, opportunities and service delivery issues include:

        - accessibility to services and the costs/impacts of delivery in rural areas

        - small pockets of disadvantaged, harder to reach groups dispersed across rural areas

        - strong reliance on external partners, particularly the voluntary sector, in developing capacity to support rural communities

        - the need to support business and rural economic development

        - significant economic and social change in rural areas; increased housing cost, lack of employment opportunities and threatened loss of services

        - the importance of developing an evidence base and rural profile to inform and assist policy and service development

        - the strong environmental importance of rural communities and areas, the quality and designation of a large part of the County including one existing and a further proposed National Park

        - the opportunities provided by the County Council's own assets to respond to community needs e.g. extended community use of schools; infrastructure development; access to the countryside; multiple use of premises; grants and support for rural enterprises and activities.

2.3 The proposed outcomes of the development of a Rural Delivery Strategy for Hampshire County Council are;

        a) Adopting a clear vision underlying our work in supporting rural communities and providing a focus for greater recognition and understanding of the major contribution that Hampshire County Council is making and will continue to make to rural communities.

        b) Recognising the crucial role played by rural areas and communities in terms of the social, economic and environmental vitality of the County.

        c) Developing a new approach to rural spatial policy recognising the importance of appropriate, managed development to support employment, local housing and retention of services in rural communities.

        d) Developing an effective evidence base to inform future action and service development across the organisation by developing the Rural Profile.

        e) Securing more effective engagement with rural communities and partner organisations through the development of a Rural Delivery Strategy for Hampshire County Council.

        f) Providing improved accessibility to services within rural communities

        g) Identifying some potential early interventions for Members in making a difference and building capacity within rural communities.

        h) Achieving more effective corporate collaboration and co-ordination when delivering and developing services within rural communities through `rural proofing' of our work.

        i) Strengthening the role for Hampshire County Council at regional and national levels by building on the lessons of the Rural Pathfinder.

2.4 These decisions relate strongly to all three of the Corporate Strategy priorities: Hampshire safer & more secure for all, Maximising wellbeing and Enhancing our quality of place.

3. Other options considered and rejected

      Not developing a Rural Delivery Strategy for Hampshire County Council. This was rejected on the basis of a perceived need to coordinate and develop support for rural communities within the context of an appropriate corporate service delivery framework for the County Council. It was also seen as essential to consult with key partner organisations and agencies to seek effective joint working in this area.

4. Conflicts of interest declared by the decision maker or other Executive Member consulted - None.

5. Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee - Not applicable.

6. Reasons for matter being dealt with, if urgent - Not applicable.

Approved by: (Signature) Date: (of decision)

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Councillor T. K. Thornber