Member Article

Rural communities join forces

Small rural communities could have a stronger network of support as the region’s Rural Community Councils (RCCs) explore ways of working together more closely.

The North East England RCCs in Northumberland, Tees Valley and County Durham are the first line of support for people in rural communities on local regeneration These RCCs are developing a regional network to give rural areas a stronger voice in planning and policy.

The work, supported in part by a £50,860 grant from regional development agency One NorthEast, has also seen the existing RCC’s joining together to share training, different approaches to common issues, and their experience of what works for rural communities and what doesn’t. They are also building links and partnerships on issues such as energy efficiency and community supported agriculture with councils, Northumberland Strategic Partnership, Government Office for the North East and the North East Rural Affairs Forum.

Bob Burston, chairman of the North East England RCCs, said: “One NorthEast’s funding has been an enormous help in developing a stronger voice for rural areas in the region, and has also shown that there is a real will - not just amongst the RCCs, but from other partners too - for that voice to be heard.”

Pat Ritchie, One NorthEast Assistant Chief Executive (Strategy), said: “For us, this is about helping rural communities across the region to work together on the key issues affecting them and to achieve a bigger impact. “Rural areas have an important contribution to make to the regional economy and the RCCs’ have a key role in making that happen - helping to run local services in remote areas, supporting rural enterprise, promoting affordable housing and tackling issues around climate change, so we were pleased to support this project.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .