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A rural seminar, hosted by Hampshire County Council at Sparsholt College (14 October), has given key partner organisations the chance to contribute their views on the challenges and opportunities involved in delivering effective services to rural communities.

The County Council is currently consulting upon a discussion document aimed at helping it target service delivery to meet the particular needs of rural communities. This effort to ’rural proof’ services is encouraged by central government in an attempt to ensure that both national and local government takes proper account of those needs.

Over 60 delegates were welcomed by the newly appointed County Council Executive Member responsible for Rural Policy, Cllr Dr Ray Ellis, who described the County Council’s vision as wanting to see ’rural communities that are resilient and sustainable socially, economically and environmentally".

Cllr Ellis highlighted the fact that over 85% of Hampshire’s area was defined as rural catering for 23% of its population. Key issues around affordable housing, transport and accessibility, economic and social vitality all required collaborative action across all sectors to sustain the quality of our rural communities and environment. He wanted to achieve greater collaboration with District, Parish and voluntary sector partners which would be crucial to the delivery of a sustainable rural policy.

Cllr Ellis was joined on the platform by Mr Merrick Denton-Thompson OBE, until recently a Board Member of Natural England, who welcomed the County Council’s initiative. He encouraged all present to challenge the obstacles and constraints they face in making the most effective use of resources and to work collaboratively in securing change at local, regional and national levels for the benefit of rural areas. He also highlighted the crucial interdependence between urban and rural, particularly in a County like Hampshire, and the need to make the essential re-connections between them.

Delegates contributed views to five workshops which covered issues of community life, transport and accessibility, environment, food and farming, together with the rural economy. The results of this workshop will be fed in to the overall consultation process which ends upon the 31st November 2008. More details and background to the County Council’s consultation can be found at: http://www.hants.gov.uk/rural

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