Richard Ellis Chair, East of England Development Agency A New Rural Agenda – ‘Moving in From the Margins’ 08 June 2006
Mar 27, 2015
Richard EllisChair, East of England Development Agency
A New Rural Agenda – ‘Moving in From the Margins’ 08 June 2006
a dynamic rural economy
Employs larger workforce than whole of Belgium
25% of GDP and 33% of VAT registered businesses – from only 20% of population
80% of jobs based in manufacturing, public administration, final services, wholesale and retail
An entrepreneurial and innovative countryside
Rural Enterprise ValleyRural Enterprise Valley
challenges for a new rural agenda One in four rural households on income of £10,800/yr.
One in eight rural adults lack formal educational qualifications, compared to one in six adults in urban England (2003)
20% of rural households in South and East have annual incomes below national average, 26% in North and West
Must build economic and social framework to handle influx of new migrant workers attracted to countryside areas.
Ensure access to employment for all, including most disadvantaged.
the role of Regional Development Agencies
Place specific local needs within a long-term economic vision for the entire region.
Provide energy, leadership
and focus.
taking a mainstream approach
More efficient
Produces better alignment of funding streams
Often leads towards more innovative thinking
And ensures a level playing field
Increasing employment and skills levels
Supporting new business start-ups
Attracting inward investment
Tailored business support through Business Links networks
Regional Skills Partnerships overseeing supply of skills with economic demand
ADER
ADER helped farmers Tony and Nicola Bulgin in Essex with a business plan, marketing strategy and an application for a
Rural Enterprise Scheme Grant.
The Bulgins have now built a new brand and a new business delivering straight to the door of customers
work in progress
funding broadband solutions for remote rural areas
Market Towns Initiative
Modernising Rural Delivery programme
Working to improve rural productivity
Responsive to economic shocks
New Rural Development Regulation from January 2007
a new rural agenda
Nurture economic dynamism in rural areas.
Ensure accessibility for all members of society.
Take a strategic approach - empowering local communities by connecting them with the overall growth of the regional economy.
Ensure that the rural viewpoint is mainstreamed across all policy.