- To download the agenda associated with this meeting click here

- To download the minutes for this meeting, click here

- The Attendance and Apologies for this meeting can be found at the bottom these minutes

Rural Assembly Meeting

1. Attendance & Apologies. (Appendix A)

Graham Biggs MBE, Chief Executive of the RSN welcomed everyone to the meeting and apologised for the Chair Cllr Motley and Vice Chair Cllr Phillips both being unable to attend the meeting. Apologies were taken as read.

2. Notes from the previous RSN AGM & Rural Assembly meeting.

The record of the meeting held on 15th November 2021 was noted.

3. Notes from the previous RSN Executive meetings.

The record of the following two meetings of the RSN Executive were noted.

• RSN Executive meeting 10th January 2022
• RSN Executive meeting 21st March 2022

4. Guest Speaker from Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Discussing the Levelling Up White Paper.

Owen Little, Senior Policy Advisor, Levelling Up Unit at Cabinet Office.

Owen delivered a presentation to attendees on the Levelling Up White Paper. He highlighted the four pillars and twelve missions of the White Paper. This policy is not about a one size fits all approach but tackling inequality and looking at where outcomes and opportunities are weaker and how public sector, private sector, voluntary sector agencies can all work together to start to change that.

He mentioned how the approach is about using the information that the Government has, to look at systems change and rewiring how decisions are made and properly understanding the impacts of policies on different areas of the country.

It was discussed how the Levelling Up White Paper does not address increased costs of delivery, particularly in rural areas and we need to think about how that could look in practice and how we achieve it.

Click here to view presentation from Owen Little, Levelling Up Unit at Cabinet Office.

The following two links were also provided to delegates from the RSN:

- Rural Lens Review: Levelling Up White Paper
- Critique: Overarching rural issues, plus actions proposed by the RSN

5. RSN Achievements 2021.

Kerry Booth, Deputy Chief Executive of the RSN, highlighted last year’s RSN achievements and explained the wide range of activities that the RSN does on behalf of its membership.

6. National Rural Conference 2022.

Kerry Booth gave an update on preparations for the National Rural Conference 2022, outlined the programme of potential conference sessions and informed that bookings are now open. Further details on the speakers and sessions will be announced in the coming months.Click here to view and book your place at the National Rural Conference 2022.

7. Guest Speaker Presentations with Short Q&A’s.

• Steve Dowling, Public Affairs Manager, The Association of Convenience Stores

Steve Dowling gave a presentation which highlighted key points from the Rural Shop Report 2022 and the vital role that local shops play for our rural communities.

79% of rural convenience stores are independently owned and almost 50% of customers know the people running and working in their shop quite well or very well.  In addition, 49% are isolated store, with no other retail or service business nearby.  These statistics help to shape the key role that the shops play, and the ways in which they need to be supported. The Association of Convenience Stores have a number of asks of Government including:

• Prioritise Levelling UP Fund applications which improve access to local services.
• Ensure LEPs reflect rural business at board level.
• Rural proof all government legislation, including the Levelling Up Bill.

Click here to view presentation Steve Dowling, The Association of Convenience Stores.

• Georgina Edwards, Policy & Research Manager, Plunkett Foundation

Georgina Edwards’ presentation discussed the role of Community Businesses and Keep It in the Community (KIITC), an online register of Assets of Community Value (ACVs). Plunkett has taken over this database, relaunching it and refreshing the data included. Click here to access the database. The database will support members of the public to access information about ACVs in a consistent approach across an area or locate other similar successful projects. It can also be used by Local Authorities as an easy way to publish information about ACV in the public domain and create a consistent joined up approach across the country.

Attendees may be interested Protecting your pub – a guide prepared by CAMRA & The Forum of Private Business can be accessed here.

Click here to view presentation Georgina Edwards, Plunkett Foundation.

8. Ukraine Refugee Situation.

What steps are organisations taking to support the settlement of Ukraine’s refugees and are there any particular barriers and challenges that need to be addressed in rural communities.

The following issues were discussed:

• Difficulties in matching offers of accommodation with Ukraine refugees at the moment if you don’t have local contacts.
• Impact on rural agriculture – supply chain length.

9. Any Other Business.

There was some discussion amongst delegates of the issues surrounding AirBNB and second homes in rural areas and the negative impact on the rental accommodation market.

NICRE are currently collaborating with Building Digital UK (BDUK), part of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) to seek businesses’ views on rural broadband connection. SMEs in rural areas are being invited to share their experiences of broadband connection and the effect this has on their business by completing a short survey. Click here to access the survey.

The next joint RSN AGM & Rural Assembly meeting is scheduled for Monday, 14th November 2022. Please click here to book your place in advance.

Attendance and Apologies:

Attendance

Apologies