Chair’s Update

Graham Ward OBE

Chairman's update: June 2008

Much of the month has been taken up discussing the SNR and the consultation response.  I have had formal meetings with representatives from Yorkshire Forward, the Local Govt Yorkshire and Humber, the Assembly and RCC’s.  The Rural Practitioners Group and our Forum last week also added input.  The result is the response which you can read on the consultation section of our website YHRAF response.  There will be much ongoing discussion so please feed in your views as we go along.

The Forum last week was very poorly attended I am afraid, despite a strong speaker line up including the Regional Minister the Rt Hon Rosie Winterton.  I would like to hear from members why they could not come.  Is the subject, ”How we try to ensure there are channels for the rural voice to be heard“ too boring? Do you think you will not achieve, so why bother?  Seen it all before?  Nothing will change?  Was it the venue/access?  For those who missed the event the papers are on the website.

I have already booked the Rt Hon Michael Jack the Chair of the Defra select committee for the October 16th meeting.  Michael’s committee is looking at how Defra are looking after its policy on stronger rural communities at the moment (see website link Defra).  He will share the platform with Stuart Burgess the Rural Advocate speaking about his rural economic opportunities report.  The meeting will be in York to accommodate the speakers.  I hope you will put this date in your diary.

The RAF is not all about process so we are trying to do other things.  The LSP/LAA proposals are with Govt for approval.  I have been visiting our predominately urban areas in West Yorks (and shortly in South Yorks) to see how we can help to ensure equitable service delivery to rural spatial separated communities which they all have.

To this end I am discussing with Helen and her colleagues in East Riding how to share the Pathfinder experiences where relevant.  I am thinking some workshops might be in order organised jointly with the RPG.  Many of the contacts I have visited have arisen from the letter I wrote from RAF to all LSP chairs

The bluetongue vaccine has been delayed, however, it will be here soon.  Please talk to our smaller scale livestock owners to inform and encourage them to vaccinate.  Their vets will be running a combined list to maximize vaccine use and minimize cost.  These livestock keepers usually miss out on communication because they are not members of farming organizations.  I am part of a group which will be looking to improve liaison routes to these stallholders.

Finally the NFU display in the Flower Hall at the Great Yorkshire Show will be looking at 100 years of growing flowers and vegetables in Yorkshire.  We are holders of the Champion Cup and are determined to keep it.  See you there Tuesday or Thursday.

Graham Ward