POLITICAL NEWS – IS THE GOVERNMENT PAYING ATTENTION TO THE NEEDS OF THE RURAL AREAS?

Is the government paying attention to the needs of rural areas?

Lords to ask local councils and Local Enterprise Partnerships

Over two evidence sessions on Tuesday the 23rd of October, the House of Lords Select Committee on the Rural Economy will question witnesses from local government and Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) on their role in the rural economy.

In the first session, the Committee will ask the witnesses what the main challenges are for supporting rural business growth and development, and how local government can assist. The Committee will also ask how effective LEPs are in supporting economic development.

The Committee will begin taking evidence at 9.45am and will question:

• Cllr Sue Baxter, Chairman, National Association of Local Councils
• Cllr Bob Egerton, Cornwall Council
• Cllr Mark Hawthorne, Chairman of the Local Government Association’s People and Places Board and leader of Gloucestershire County Council

LEPs are supposed to play a central role in determining local economic priorities to drive economic growth and job creation, improve infrastructure and raise workforce skills. However the Committee have heard evidence that their performance is “patchy”.

The Committee will ask the LEPs whether this is a fair assessment and whether they have the capacity and resources to effectively deliver for rural areas.

At 10.45am the Committee will question:

• Mr Richard Baker, North East Local Enterprise Partnership
• Mr John Mortimer, Swindon and Wiltshire Local Enterprise Partnership
• Councillor Louise Richardson, Leicestershire Rural Partnership

The evidence session will be held in Committee room 1 in the House of Lords. Other topics the Committee are likely to cover include:

• Access to rural services
• How the battle against rural crime is tackled
• How devolution arrangements can be reformed to support the rural economy more effectively
• The impact of Brexit on rural economies and the role of LEPs.