Within the regions, Government Offices seek to foster greater understanding of rural issues, and ensure that the Government’s rural policies are fully integrated into strategies and initiatives in the regions. In particular, Government Offices ensure that ‘rural proofing’ (see below) is carried out.
The ‘Rural Strategy 2004’ set out the Government’s strategy and its new approach to rural policy. The strategy sets out the specific actions that will drive progress forward, including the enhanced role for stakeholders and partners in the regions.
The three key priorities for the Government are:
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Economic and social regeneration - supporting enterprise across rural England, and targeting greater resources at areas of greatest need.
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Social Justice for all – tackling rural social exclusion, wherever it occurs and providing fair access to services for all rural people.
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Enhancing the value of our countryside – protecting the natural environment for this and future generations.
The main tasks for Government Offices include:
- Ensuring that the needs of rural areas are addressed in regional strategies, such as Regional Spatial Strategies and Regional Economic Strategies
- Making connections between the work and interests of other regional partners for the benefit of rural areas
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Shaping the delivery of rural development programmes, and influencing future programme delivery
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Ensuring that the voice of rural stakeholders within their region is heard
Rural Proofing
Rural Proofing is a commitment by Government to ensure that all its domestic policies take account of rural circumstances and needs. It is being integrated into the work of all teams in the Government Offices, which are asked to identify specific priorities and to install mechanisms to ensure rural needs are addressed. Government Offices must also identify good practice examples of where implementing rural proofing has made a real difference. Government departments and Government Offices are required to report annually on how their policies have been rural proofed.
Rural Affairs Forums
Government Offices have played a major role in the establishment and operation of Regional Rural Affairs Forums, enabling the forums to take forward the rural agenda in the regions, raise the profile of rural issues in Government and ensure that the voice of those living in rural areas is heard.
