| Weekly summary - 11 February 2011 | |
 I am back from Lanzarote, where amongst other things, in a place called Teguise, I discovered a Sunday farmers' market. I know I should leave my work at home but the Canarian sauces were worth the 4-hour plane flight alone. This week, without the sun of a Spanish island on my back, the news stories seem a bit grim. Still, spring is around the corner!
Ivan Annibal
ivan.annibal@roseregeneration.co.uk
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Services? What services? Manchester
in shock at £109m cuts programme | |
Another bad news day not just for Manchester. On Wednesday night the 10 o'clock news ran a feature comparing the impact of budget cuts on East Dorset and a London Borough.
The first thing to note is that representatives from both councils didn't get drawn into a "beggar my neighbour" discussion justifying their own position whilst criticising the other and I thought that was a dignified way to tackle things.
The second thing to note is that I never previously thought the staple fare of RSN, the inequities of the spending formulae for Local Government would make popular news in this way and the thing was really well presented. It set out in a nutshell what we know - many rural authorities rely heavily on council tax rather than Government grants to fund their activities.
In this scenario with the current cuts being mainly linked to Government expenditure those authorities with significant Government grants are being hit very heavily and those with a greater reliance on their own "tax base" are proportionately slightly less affected. Let's hope viewers didn't assume it was all "milk and honey" in rural England compared to the tough old world of "the smoke".
What it does emphasise is that rural and urban authorities do have different contexts and that the current way their funding works which treats them as broadly the same apart from their levels of deprivation doesn't work very well. It also causes me to reflect on the opportunities linked to proposals in the Localism Bill about giving authorities the opportunity to control their destinies more through more flexibility over managing their own tax base.
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| Co-op to create 1,700 jobs |
 (Link: The Guardian, 9 February)Lets hear it for the Co-op - according to this article: "The Co-operative Group is to create 1,700 new management jobs in its food stores over the next few months, the company announced today. Acquisitions of stores from other retailers and co-operative societies mean that management structures differ widely, the company said. The new jobs are in addition to plans to expand the Co-operative's food store network in the next three years, which will create around 7,000 jobs." My colleague Jessica is often confused about which "divvie card" to use in which shop as we have our own independent Lincolnshire Co-op as well as the national Co-op. When I was at Lincolnshire TEC our Chair Keith Darwin became national chair of the Co-op through his role as CEO at the independent Lincolnshire Co-op. I was confused about the relationship between the two organisations and he admitted that he still had some confusion about how the Co-op empire worked - he described Co-op politics as more "Byzantine" than local government. As I look back on this, having worked in a positively benign local authority world for 20 years, on an off, I feel strangely comfortable with this movement growing and developing. I am biased, but in these globally cynical times, there is something reassuring about the notion of the COOP. In Lincolnshire we also benefit from our Co-op CEO Ursula Lidbetter also being Chair of our new LEP - it is after all our county's largest rural business. |
UK governments have failed to support
organic farming, says report |
 (Link: The Guardian, 9 February)The Soil Association has put British policy towards organics in the dock - this article explains how it launched this report, The Lazy Man of Europe, at the start of its annual conference in Manchester, and will urge the government to follow the example of other European countries. In Denmark, which has the largest organic market in Europe, the Netherlands, France, Sweden, Italy, Germany and Austria, governments explicitly support organic. They provide more support in payments to organic farmers and have also launched major marketing initiatives to boost sales." I have not doubted the sincerity and economic value of the organic sector but I do query whether ethical and enlightened approaches to food production which don't have to be completely organic are not just as valid. I am also interested in the link between the notion of organic food and broader views about the importance and integrity of local food grown in a local environment. Anyone have any insights? |
| Norfolk's local hero fighting coastal erosion |
 (Link: The Guardian, 8 February)This story highlights the Big Society at its quirky best - I think it might be a bit unfair to characterise the man in the excerpt from the article which follows as an eccentric. I wonder if government policy which struggles to put a high enough premium on protecting rural coastal settlements with a limited a number of "chimney pots" is not more eccentric. For 14 years, Michael Kennedy he has spent two hours every day (except Saturdays) collecting rocks on Hunstanton beach to construct sea walls as a defence against the erosion that is rampant along this stretch of coast, this article explains. "I'm like King Canute," he says with a laugh." From time to time I get the opportunity to raise the importance of rural coastal communities and promote a consideration of their unique challenges - I heard the inspirational story of how a community had achieved super-fast broadband by digging its own fibre cable trenches recently to overcome the connectivity challenges it faces through the graft of local people - I wonder if we oughtn't to get a few more people in coastal communities interested in following Michael Kennedy's approach? Not that we should let government off the hook on the issue of leading the charge on coastal erosion. But with Liverpool pulling out of the Big Society pilot because it feels government is not providing the right funding climate to make the project work, this highly apposite tale of a local "Canute" does also make me reflect on the limits to individual endeavour in the face of the big challenges communities face. |
| VisitBritain tourism agency to cut jobs |
 (Link: The Guardian, 9 February)How important to rural England is its tourism offer? Do the assets sell themselves or do nationally funded representatives in countries like Mexico and Thailand have a major role in driving tourism visits to places like Stonehenge? It is all too easy in these hard financial times to be seduced by simplistically criticising the overseas work of organisations like Visit Britain. But when we all have to take a hair-cut (including those like me with no hair!) these are legitimate questions. Downstream from the sad news that 13 overseas offices are to shut as part of efficiencies at VB I still have a debate about why the public sector "does" tourism. I am not saying it is bad thing per se, but as local authorities are concerned with economic development across all sectors I have often wondered why they choose to engage directly in tourism on a commercial basis when they don't choose to get involved directly in mainstream manufacturing or commercial financial services. Not that I am advocating the latter! I am sure the roots of this are historic in the context of the inheritance of tourism assets by councils and I am sure that where market failure predominates, particularly in view of the new general power of competence proposed for local authorities in the Localism there is no reason why councils shouldn't be more entrepreneurial. Everything is up for grabs in these strange times. I am sure you will have views! |
| Consultations |
Simple financial products - HM Treasury
The government wants views from all interested parties - including the financial services industry and consumers themselves - on how simple products can best be developed and implemented, what the challenges such an initiative would present and how these can be overcome. The intention is to help people to choose the right financial services product for their needs and be able to trust the market to give them a fair deal. Closes 25 March 2011.
Draft Sustainable Development Guidance for Local Flood Authorities - Defra
This consultation invites views on our draft sustainable development guidance for Local Flood Authorities. Section 27 of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 states that a lead local flood authority, district council, internal drainage board or highways authority must aim to make a contribution towards the achievement of sustainable development when exercising a flood or coastal erosion risk management function. The Act requires the Secretary of State to issue guidance about how authorities are to discharge this duty. This draft guidance has been developed for that purpose. Closes 16 Feb 2011.
Road network policy consultation - the Department for Transport
The DFT is proposing to devolve responsibility on the classification of local roads. The Department wants to increase the freedom of local authorities to set road classifications and routes on the primary route network, and to reduce its role in guidance and appeals cases. The consultation outlines existing policy on the strategic road network, data reporting procedures and how satellite navigation technology fits into existing arrangements and includes a set of questions for response. Closes 1 May 2011.
Future of the public forest estate
This consultation is about the future ownership and management of the public forest estate in England (NB: land that is currently managed by the Forestry Commission on behalf of the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs). The consultation document sets out a rationale for a move away from the Government owning and managing significant areas of woodlands in England and the principles which will guide the Government in deciding the way forward. Defra is inviting views on its mixed model approach, the safeguards for providing public benefits and alternative approaches.
This consultation has already attracted a great deal of press attention with 300,000 people (and counting) signing an online petition; MPs representing rural constituencies being put under pressure to rebel against the Government's plans; and the Country Land and Business Association (CLA) coming out in favour of the sell-off. There was an interesting cartoon in the Daily Telegraph of Pooh Bear and Piglet standing in front of a sign that read "100 acre wood privatised property". I urge Hinterland readers to read the proposals and contribute to the consultation. Closes 21 April 2011
The future of fire and rescue control services in England
Communities and Local Government (CLG) is seeking views on the future arrangements of fire and rescue control services in England following the decision to close down the FiReControl project. The FiRe project was part of the previous Government's Fire and Resilience Programme launched in 2004 to replace standalone fire and rescue service control rooms with nine regional control centres. While there are no public safety implications emerging from the decision to cancel the project, the Government is seeking views on what lessons can be learnt from FiReControl, the role of central Government in supporting fire and rescue authorities (including service delivery) and setting funding priorities. Closes 8 April 2011.
Simple financial products
HM Treasury is aiming to gather views from all interested parties (including the financial services industry and consumers themselves) on how simple products can best be developed and implemented; what the challenges such an initiative would present; and how these challenges can be overcome. The intention is to help people choose the right financial product for their needs and trust the market to give them a fair deal. Closes 25 March 2011.
Draft Sustainable Development Guidance for Local Flood Authorities
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is inviting views on its draft sustainable development guidance for Local Flood Authorities. Section 27 of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 states that 'a lead local flood authority, district council, internal drainage board or highways authority must aim to make a contribution towards the achievement of sustainable development when exercising a flood or coastal erosion risk management function'. The Act requires the Secretary of State to issue guidance about how authorities are to discharge this duty. This draft guidance has been developed for that purpose. Closes 16 February 2011.
An invitation to shape the nature of England (an update)
Last year the Government invited comments and submissions from anyone with an interest in the Natural Environment White Paper. Defra received more than 15,000 responses. A factual summary of these responses is now available online here. The responses will feed into the development of the White Paper which Defra is due to publish this spring. Watch this space.
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The Rural Services Network - working with Knight Frank
 Knight Frank is RSN's property partner and specialises in helping the Public Sector maximise the value of its rural property portfolios. This is particularly important at a time when budgets are under immense pressure.
Because we are the only Office of Government Commerce (OGC) approved rural property consultancy, we can provide immediate strategic advice if needed. Our specialisms include strategic asset reviews, Landlord and Tenant compliance assessments, enhancing capital and revenue positions and full or partial management.
For a no obligation discussion, please contact rsn@knightfrank.com. To find out more about our services, please look at our website.
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LPGenius from Calor - Our Energy Partner
 Calor Gas Ltd is the RSN's energy partner and the UK's leading supplier of bulk and bottled LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) - a low carbon, low cost energy solution for rural homes and businesses.
Calor LPG plays a vital role in meeting the countryside's diverse energy requirements and is used in thousands of applications across many different sectors. And we don't just supply LPG; we are continually innovating and investing in new technologies to bring the next generation of energy efficient and renewable appliances to the rural market.
Fuelling the British countryside since 1935, we offer unmatched service and customer support. Visit www.calor.co.uk or call 0800 181 4530. Alternatively, email at Holly Sims at hsims@calor.co.uk.
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| And finally... | The dog did WHAT?! Lily the Chihuahua causes freak house fire by chewing child's phone
Daily MailThis article speaks for itself. All three of my dogs are asleep as I pen Hinterland this week and now our children are grown up I suspect it would be hard for this to happen to us! Still on the strength of the story, from my perspective, it is probably a good thing to let sleeping dogs lie!! And finally, finally...Aaron Gould, who happens to work for DECC, though this is not an official survey, is researching whether and to what extent community energy has a role to play in the future energy mix of the UK. Community energy is based upon the premise that it builds upon community values and can help bring people together. It can also reduce bills and has benefits for the environment. On the basis that his work may well provide scope for a future Hinterland story, it would be great if you could let him have your views by answering a few questions here. |
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| About Us: | Hinterland is an exclusive weekly service offering a rural perspective on national news events from the past week.
It is provided by the Rural Services Network - a national network devoted to
safeguarding and improving services in rural communities across England.
We are the only national network focusing specifically on this vital aspect of rural life.
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