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Rural Affairs Minister opens Rural Communities First Seminar

3rd Aug 2009

Over the next three years the group of four Rural Communities First areas intend to develop a debate by, in the first instance in 2009/2010, facilitating a series of seminars called ‘Exploring the Rural’. Rurality, as a concept, is at best difficult to define in realistic and meaningful terms, and at worse means different things to different people. The Rural CFs would like to begin this discussion by exploring aspects and issues of that which is described as ‘rural’ from the local community or micro level, to the macro level of rural policy, through the mechanics and machinations of translating issues and designing policy tools.

On the 5th March 2009, Rural Affairs Minister, Elin Jones, opened the first of these seminars aimed at exploring rural realities in Communities First areas.

The Seminar organised by Bro Ddyfi Communities First was held at Plas Talgarth, Pennal, Machynlleth, with the focus being on translating local rural indicators into effective policy.

The seminar was chaired by Paul Dear, Head of Communities First Unit, WAG, who introduced the Minister to delegates. She spoke about the Welsh Assembly Government’s commitment to supporting sustainable rural communities. This included the establishment of a Rural Policy Unit within the Welsh Assembly Government to help all Departments identify key rural issues relevant to their area of work and the inclusion of proofing for rural issues as a mandatory part of policy making.

Talking about the importance of engaging with communities on rural issues, the Minister said:

Engagement with rural communities and the people in them is vital if we are to ensure our actions reflect the true needs of rural Wales, and not our perception of them. The Welsh Assembly Government is committed to engaging and consulting with our rural communities throughout the development, implementation evaluation of policies and projects.

The Minister highlighted the important part that the Rural Development plan - which would bring some £795m to Wales between 2007 and 2013 - had to play in developing rural communities. She particularly mentioned Axes 3 and 4 of the plan which were all about community regeneration and developing grass root approaches.

This series of seminars are being held collectively by the four Rural Community First Partnerships in Bro Ddyfi, Pen Llyn, Tregaron and Uplands, and Rural North Flintshire.

The Minister said:

Communities First is making an important contribution in 4 distinct rural areas across Wales. I consider Communities First Partnerships to be an important and valuable means of engaging and involving local people. I shall be following the progress of the CF partnerships with interest and hope that local communities will enjoy the benefits of these local, rural initiatives.

The morning session continued with Paul Dear introducing the three invited speakers, Terri Thomas, Rural Policy WAG; Barbara Castle, Independent Consultant; and Shan Ashton, UW Bangor; who presented a series of three very interesting and well received papers.

The afternoon session included two facilitated workshop sessions running parallel, and ending with a feedback/Q&A session.

The links below can be used to access the following:
The notes from the workshop sessions
Barbara Castle’s presentation Exploring the Rural
Terri Thomas’s presentation What do we mean by rural?
Terri Thomas’s full paper What do we mean by rural?

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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