Centre for Rural Economy - Newsletter

Glendale Gateway Trust, based in Wooler, is featured in a recent publication from the regeneration magazine New Start.

Communities Secretary Hazel Blears will today publish a White Paper setting out proposals to deliver a fundamental shift in power, influence and responsibility into the hands of communities and citizens.

Steve Stewart has been appointed as the first Chief Executive of the Northumberland Unitary Council, subject to ratification by a full meeting of the County Council on Wednesday 9th July.

Council leaders at Northumberland yesterday pledged to support communities through possible Post Office closures.

The Leader of the new council for Northumberland spelled out priorities to be “more local, more accountable and more democratic” at a meeting with Local Government Minister John Healey earlier today.

Natural England has launched a series of lesson plans to build children’s knowledge of food and farming after research showed youngsters are more likely to have holidayed abroad than to have explored England’s fields and farms.

Heritage Lottery Fund and English Heritage Announce £6.87 million of Repair Grants for Grade II Listed Places of Worship

Attached is issue 1 of Migration Matters

Newly qualified tourist guides from North East England will be getting to know the region’s key tourism businesses in a speed-dating style event tomorrow (Wed July 2nd).

Post Office Ltd is planning to close 57 post offices across Northumberland, Tyne and Wear and County Durham. A further 23 branches will be replaced by outreach outlets. There will now be a six-week consultation period to allow local people to comment.

People need more power to influence and control their local services Communities Secretary Hazel Blears said today, as new figures show that fewer than four in ten people feel their voices are being heard at local level.

CRC is encouraging parish and town councils to play an increasingly dynamic and influential role in local government.

Local Government Minister John Healey today confirmed that 371 councils will share almost £300m as a reward for successfully promoting economic growth in their areas.

The Renewables Advisory Board welcomes publication of the government's consultation on its proposed renewable energy strategy

Conservationists, industry and government must work together to find the right places for renewables, said Natural England today (26 June 2008) welcoming the Government’s Renewable Energy Strategy.

Defra has today announced that the Protection Zone will be extended at midday on Friday 27 June, following the latest delivery of 2 million doses of Bluetongue vaccine.

Sport England today launched a public consultation to make sure future sports projects can access up to £45 million of sports lottery funding as quickly and simply as possible.

Three of the biggest national players in economic development and regeneration have outlined their commitment to work closely together to deliver sustainable economic growth across England - in a significant partnership agreement.

The Association of North East Councils (ANEC), One NorthEast and the North East Assembly have submitted a joint response to the Government’s consultation on the Sub-National Review of Economic Development and Regeneration (SNR), which is aimed at improving economic development and regeneration in the North East.

Police forces across England and Wales and front line agencies will today receive an £18 million cash boost from assets seized between 1 January and 31 March 2008. This is in addition to the £47 million they received in 2007/08.

Housing Corporation Chief Executive says the public sector must provide leadership to help the Government achieve affordable housing targets

Capacitybuilders announces new £6 million Social Enterprise Programme, and Improving Reach grant awards

Defra has today published an epidemiology report into the Avian Influenza outbreak confirmed in Oxfordshire on 4 June.

People working in agriculture, forestry and land management in North East England will get the chance to develop their skills in a £1.2m investment in providing training for land-based businesses.

Researchers at Newcastle University suggest a much more positive approach is required towards the UK's ageing rural population.

Local Development Framework Core Strategy – Submission Draft including people’s preferences now ready for consideration and questions. Consultation between: 13 June – 25 July 2008.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has launched a twelve-week consultation on the European Commission’s proposals for the “Health Check” of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).

Farmers, foresters and biomass producers can apply for up to £200,000 each under a new round of grants opened today by Environment Minister Phil Woolas.

World Environment Day: The Act on Co2 calculator - which helps people to work out and reduce their carbon footprint - has received its one millionth unique visitor, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs announced today

Alan Clarke, One NorthEast Chief Executive and Chairman of the Northern Rock Response Group, welcomed today’s news that Northern Rock is expected to retain around 100 jobs as part of a new business deal.

Lloyds TSB has reached a deal so that Northern Rock mortgage customers coming to the end of their fixed rate deals will be encouraged to switch to it.

Chief Veterinary Officer Nigel Gibbens has today confirmed that the strain of Avian Influenza found on the premises near Banbury in Oxfordshire is highly pathogenic H7N7.

Food and drink producers and distributors are being reminded that there’s still time to take part in a study aimed at improving routes to market for regional produce.

InfoNet update (June 2008)

North East England has been named as one of only three English regions to test a new scheme to help homes in deprived areas cut their heating bills.

Survey shows Volunteers have improved mental and physical health

Business Secretary John Hutton today welcomed Nissan's announcement of a multi-million pound investment at its Sunderland factory, safeguarding hundreds of jobs and leading to the production of a brand new model.

Tynedale has been named the most enterprising place in North East England and is in the running for a national accolade.

The Esmée Fairbairn Foundation is launching three exciting new approaches to its funding: a new funding strand based on Food, a pilot programme of work in Northern Ireland and a Finance Fund.

Organisations in the region could be eligible for as much as £1m each as part of a £40m funding pot to raise awareness of the benefits of renewable energy technologies.

The nation's most important historical landmarks are to receive greater protection than ever before, Communities Minister Baroness Andrews announced today.

The Natural England Future of Farming Awards application form is now live and open for business.

Natural England has announced its £25 million Lottery funded grant programme ‘Access to Nature’ is now open for business.

Defra has today announced that the Bluetongue Protection Zone will be extended again on Monday 26 May, following the delivery of additional doses of Bluetongue vaccine.

The dormouse, rare orchids, orchards and even ponds are just some of England’s most threatened species and habitats set to benefit as Natural England announces today (Thursday 22 May) an extra £5 million to support wildlife recovery.

North East England has scored a national first for developing leadership in and among voluntary and community organisations.

There are only four weeks to go before the Energy and Environment Conference 2008.

Communities Secretary Hazel Blears today heralded a new era of 'parish power' where parishes have a real purpose in modern society - a far cry from the way they are often perceived as outdated, 19th century institutions.

Eight of the region’s top chefs will battle it out in a culinary competition on 22 May to find North East England’s very own Chef of the Year 2008.

Hilary Benn today welcomed the publication of the proposals for the next stage of the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy.

Publishing his Department's Annual Report, Environment Secretary Hilary Benn reaffirmed Defra's commitment to helping people live within their environmental means and acknowledged the role of staff in some key achievements over the past year.

Natural England publishes its first report into the state of the natural environment.

The Alnwick Garden is generating almost £7m per year for the county’s economy, according to a new study

Defra has today announced that the Bluetongue Protection Zone will be extended again on Monday 19 May, following the delivery of additional doses of Bluetongue vaccine.

An update on the Rural Development Programme for England from One NorthEast.

North East England’s economy continues to show strong growth rates and is making progress in closing the gap on other English regions – according to the new State of the Region Report.

A pilot scheme set out to promote Northumberland’s distinctive cultural and culinary products to Northumberland’s tourism businesses, retail outlets and visitors has been so successful that it is to run for a second year.

Northumberland leaders are being sought to help shape the economic, social and environmental future of some of Britain’s most rural communities.

Over 5 million hectares of land in England, an area roughly twice the size of Wales, are now covered by schemes which aim to conserve our valuable landscape and its wildlife, according to a report published by Defra and Natural England today.

Lord Smith of Finsbury has been appointed as the new Chair of the Environment Agency. He replaces Sir John Harman, who stands down at the end of June after eight years.

Defra has today announced that the Bluetongue Protection Zones will be extended and merged on Monday 12 May, following the delivery of additional doses of Bluetongue vaccine.

The publication today of the Ofsted inspection report on the Workers’ Educational Association (WEA) confirms a strength for the UK’s largest voluntary sector provider of adult education.

Following a meeting of its Board, Natural England has announced that an additional £72m will be spent on the natural environment this year.

Local Government Minister John Healey today published the framework - regulations and guidance - which the Government intends to put in place for the transfer and appointment of staff to the new unitary councils.

New and existing rural businesses looking for support to grow and develop are in line for a share of more than £1m in funding from the recently-launched Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE).

Food and drink producers and distributors from across the region are invited to take part in a study aimed at improving routes to market for regional produce.

Defra has today launched a consultation on how £34 million of funding for England’s fishing industry should be spent.

Due to the large and predominantly rural geography of Northumber-land, the county’s Business Advice Centres (BACs) have been externally evaluated as an important factor in the success of the Northumberland’s enterprise strategy.

Forgotten hero of Hadrian's Wall, John Clayton is back in the limelight after English Heritage re-launched the museum housing his unique collection at Chesters Roman Fort.

Berwick WorkSpace, a new enterprise centre in Berwick, opened its doors to businesses for the first time at a preview event on 15th April. Many of the 50 businesses from Northumberland and the Scottish Borders who have already expressed an interest in the £3.75m scheme attended the event and became the first visitors to view the centre.

A brand new state-of-the-art observatory was launched to the public over the weekend of 25th to 27th April as Kielder Water and Forest Park unveiled the facility which forms part of its Art and Architecture programme.

Food and drink producers and distributors from across the region are invited to take part in a study aimed at improving routes to market for regional produce.

As of 1st April 2008 Commissions North and Inspire are working in partnership under a new name, Inspire Northumberland, to advise, advocate and support the delivery of public art and design commissions within the county’s priority regeneration projects

Further information on the priorities for Berwick's Future

As part of the development of the Leader approach in Northumberland a proposal will go to One NorthEast setting out the stall for further action to stimulate rural development in the North Pennines area.

Proposals for the Leader approach in the Coast and Lowlands are being developed by the Northumberland Coast AONB Partnership, the Federation of Northumberland Development Trusts (FONDT) and the East Northumberland Regeneration Initiative (ENRgI) with support from the Local Authorities, NSP and Community Action Northumberland.

On Monday 28th April 2008 the newly formed Northumberland Uplands Leader Action Group agreed key and final changes to their Local Development Strategy. This Strategy aims to improve the lives of people and health of businesses in Northumberland’s most remote and rural areas.

The search is on for England’s top market town project. The 2008 National Market Town Awards, promoted by Action for Market Towns with its regional partners, were launched at the end of March and towns have until 23rd May to enter.

The search is on for the best places to stay, eat, visit and enjoy a thoroughly good day out in North East England.

Reports now show that rural communities are being hit hardest by the rising cost of fuel and this is only likely to get worse as fuel prices continue to rise. This I&DeA case study looks at tackling transport-induced social exclusion in rural areas through car clubs.