Purpose:

This event is aimed at rural and farming interests in central England and is one of several that will take place across the country between March and June 2013 to inform the next RDPE. Delegates will have an opportunity to hear from and question senior Defra officials, and to help set priorities for the next Programme.

Date: 25th March 2013

Time: 1.30pm to 4.30 pm

Venue: Conkers: The National Forest Visitor Centre, (Post Code: DE12 6GA)
Cost: Free

To Register: email lois.dale@emcouncils.gov.uk with contact details

Closing Date: 15th March 2013

http://www.bis.gov.uk/news/speeches/lord-heseltine-no-stone-unturned-speech?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+bis-speeches+%28BIS+Speeches%29

Geoff Stevens will be attending the next RFN meeting with Ministers on 28th Nov. We are seeking your input to help create a  useful, informative and relevant briefing for use at the meeting and to leave with the Ministers

Please add your experiences, issues, examples anything you would like to make Defra Ministers aware of. We have been given a structure for the day but if there is anything else that you feel is important then please let us know on a separate sheet as we are going to leave a written briefing for the Minister, should the meeting not allow all our points to be raised.

Please reply by Friday 16th November so that we have the time to collate the responses into a briefing note.

BRIEFING FOR MINISTERIAL MEETINGnov

The TCPA, in partnership with EMC, is running a seminar on the afternoon of 12 November 2012 at EMC’s offices in Melton Mowbray to look at the challenges and opportunities of planning and housing reform on rural communities in the East Midlands. The keynote speaker is Dr Hugh Ellis, Chief Planner at TCPA. Topics include the implications of the new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and the introduction of the neighbourhood tier of planning to explore how communities, local government, universities and businesses in the East Midlands can get the best outcome.

http://www.emcouncils.gov.uk/write/EastMids-Rural-Seminar-12Nov.pdf

http://www.emcouncils.gov.uk/Networks/Planning-for-Sustainable-Rural-Communities/9294

Your input is required as we seek to sustain the network after funding runs out in the new year. Please see the document below and complete with your opinions, ideas and feedback.

future expression of support

http://news.bis.gov.uk/Press-Releases/-60m-small-business-scheme-launched-through-Regional-Growth-Fund-6811e.aspx

The Forestry Commission and Natural England are seeking views on the potential for woodland creation in the landscapes that you know.

Forestry

Around 30 people enjoyed lively presentations in inspirational surroundings at the network meeting to discuss Tourism, Belvoir Brewery, Old Dalby.

tourism feedback summary

Presentations from some of the speakers can be found here. Visit England and Northants Enterprise partnership presentations were too big to upload but can be made available if you contact me by email. jbowers@rcan.org.uk

East Midlands RFN Tourism 041012

Canoe2 Rural Network East Midlands Sept 2012

RNEMevent LRP

A special meeting has been arranged for those interested in tourism and potential for economic growth in the region. Supported by the Leicestershire Rural Partnership, the meeting is being held in the Belvoir Brewery, Melton Mowbray and will include speakers from Visit England, The Rural Policy Unit, Northamptonshire Enterprise (LEP) and local case studies.

We are looking for agencies, voluntary organisations, councilors, businesses and anyone generally interested in developing tourism to attend

The event is free but places are limited so to book yours email via this website or directly to  Julie Bowers on jbowers@rcan.org.uk to reserve your place.

The Commission for Rural Communities (CRC) has recently published a major report into social isolation experienced by older people in England’s rural areas. At a time when spending reductions are leading to changes in the way that public services such as care, housing and transport are provided in rural areas, the report considers the impact of those changes on the lives of older people.

http://www.defra.gov.uk/crc/social-isolation-experienced-by-older-people-in-rural-areas/