Issue - meetings

Recommendations:

The Executive are asked to:

i.    Receive and consider the report on progress since publication of the report of the North Yorkshire Rural Commission in July 2021.

ii.   Integrate the challenges set out by the Rural Commission and the work undertaken by the Rural Task Force into the strategy and delivery of North Yorkshire Council.

iii.  Lobby the Government again on the need for it to recognise the distinctive challenges experienced by rural communities and place the rural dimension and rural problems at the heart of the national policy framework.  In particular by the provision of fairer funding for super-sparse schools, more support for electric vehicle charging infrastructure, more support for the farming sector and additional resources to achieve digital inclusion in rural communities.

Considered: A report of the Assistant Director for Policy, Partnerships & Communities providing an update on progress since the launch of the Rural Commission report in July 2021.

Richard Flinton - Chef Executive,  introduced the report outlining the background to the Commission and highlighting the work of the Task Force and the 47 actions arising, as detailed in the Appendix to the report.  He drew attention to:

·         The work to date and ongoing, to deliver the 47 actions;

·         The key achievements in some areas;

·         The consultation on the double devolution deal, and;

·         Some of the challenges faced by rural communities

County Councillor Gareth Dadd admitted his early scepticism of the Rural Commission but acknowledged it had brought forward the key issues affecting rural communities.  He also noted the move to unitary would help with supporting rural communities.

Executive Members expressed gratitude for the work of the Commission and agreed the campaigning and lobbying of central government would need to continue, if the issues affecting rural residents were to be addressed.

Resolved – That:

i.       The report on progress since publication of the report of the North Yorkshire Rural Commission in July 2021 be noted.

ii.      The challenges set out by the Rural Commission and the work undertaken by the Rural Task Force be integrated into the strategy and delivery of North Yorkshire Council.

iii.     The Government be lobbied again on the need for it to recognise the distinctive challenges experienced by rural communities and place the rural dimension and rural problems at the heart of the national policy framework.  In particular, by the provision of fairer funding for super-sparse schools, more support for electric vehicle charging infrastructure, more support for the farming sector and additional resources to achieve digital inclusion in rural communities.