Hotline to government for rural areas

Rural businesses and communities in the West Midlands now have a direct link to government through the newly-established Rural and Farming Network.  The network will be run by the Rural Hubs Partnership of Shropshire, Herefordshire and Staffordshire.    

The network is one of seventeen new rural and farming networks set up around the country to bring together people from rural communities, rural businesses and the food and farming industries to make a direct link between rural areas and government to help ensure that rural interests are taken into account when decisions are made in government. 

The partnership, which has representatives from farming and rural businesses, met with rural champions from local councils in Shropshire, Herefordshire, Staffordshire, and Telford and Wrekin, on Tuesday 30 October 2012.  The joint inaugural meeting was set up to establish how the views and concerns of grassroots rural businesses and farmers can be taken straight to the heart of government.

Marcus Themans, Chair of the Shropshire Rural Hub, said:

“Shropshire now has a better opportunity, by working with our neighbours, to make sure that our rural communities and businesses have more of a say.  The network stakeholders will work together to make our voice heard in central government to help to create new and better opportunities for people living and working in our more rural areas.  We will also be a vital point of contact in the event of local emergencies, such as flooding – giving advice and information, so that the right kind of assistance can be provided to keep businesses running.”

Cecilia Motley, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member responsible for rural affairs, said:

“I feel very positive about the new network.  It adds strength to the way we work with our neighbours, and will give us a stronger collective voice to push central government directly for the things that are most important to the people who live and work in our more rural areas, to help to tackle the different issues they face.  The network agreed to meet regularly, to keep communication going, and to encourage closer working on important rural issues between the different councils.”