Archived decisions

REPORT OF THE

CABINET/LEADER

PART II

RURAL DELIVERY ACTION PLAN FOR HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

At its meeting on 27 April 2009, Cabinet considered a report from the Chief Executive and Director of Recreation and Heritage which proposed an action plan in support of a Rural Delivery Strategy for Hampshire County Council. The action plan that was approved aims to `rural proof' the delivery of key services delivered in rural communities, particularly through the development of new partnership approaches and projects

(/decisions/decisions-docs/090427-cabine-R0420101912 for details).

The action plan was developed following earlier Cabinet consideration, in July 2008, of what the aims for delivery of services to rural areas should be like and what the overall vision underpinning the role of the County Council in relation to rural Hampshire should be, i.e. working to achieve "rural communities that are resilient and sustainable socially, economically and environmentally."

Throughout summer 2008 a work programme to identify all the key work that the County Council was undertaking in rural areas was put in place. This exercise also considered the strategic context and the key issues and priorities driving that work. The findings were then shared through a stakeholder consultation process that took place during autumn 2008 with the consultation results being used to inform the Rural Delivery Strategy that has been prepared.

Key areas for action that emerged from the consultation focus upon:

Supporting sustainable rural communities, including affordable housing, rural broadband, access to services, supporting volunteering, and community engagement; Providing effective rural transport; Farming, food and access; Promoting economic development and then climate change, including renewable energy, and making better use of the county's wood-fuel resource.

Discussion with District and Parish Council representatives highlighted the need and importance of working collaboratively in helping to tackle some of these issues but the action plan that has been developed will assist the County Council in meeting its Local Area Agreement targets under a wide range of National Indicators.

Cabinet welcomed the action plan as a means to rural proof the delivery of services in rural communities across all HCC departments and also offered its support to the range of partnership approaches and arrangements being proposed to help solve rural issues. The ongoing work to influence rural policy at a regional and national level was also endorsed, along with the principle that each departmental Action Plan be formally referred to the appropriate Executive Member for detailed consideration and implementation.