News from Cornwall Labour

Labour’s ‘rural proofing’ welcomed – now have your say

An independent organisation representing rural communities has welcomed Labour’s ‘rural proofing’ of government policies and launched a consultation aimed to influence debate on the needs of the countryside.

According to the Rural Services Network:

“The formal inclusion of rural proofing into the Government’s policy-making process is to be strongly welcomed. It has been strengthened by the Commission for Rural Communities’ May 2009 ‘Rural Proofing Toolkit’. In it, CRC makes plain that sparsity and rurality are essential considerations of all good policy-making.”

Jude Robinson is urging people in rural communities to help shape rural policy by taking part in the Rural Services Network manifesto consultation, which is open until 30 September.

Jude said: “Rural proofing’ means that government departments have to consider whether policies put forward are likely to have a different impact in rural areas.

“The RSN’s independent consultation will give people living in the countryside a chance to have their say. Rural communities and organisations will help shape a rural manifesto for the future and influence policy development.”

Topics for discussion are:

* Rural Proofing
* The Rural Economy after the Recession
* Supporting Rural Communities
* Central Government Funding Formulae
* Safeguarding Small Rural Schools
* Affordable Rural Housing
* Healthcare in the Countryside
* Rural Transport and Safer Roads
* Digital Britain in the Countryside
* Fuel Poverty in the Countryside

The consultation is open until 30 September.

Other news from Cornwall Labour

• Hundreds sign Falmouth for Orders petition - 30 January 2012
• Labour and unions campaign for dredging the port of Falmouth - 18 January 2012
• Regional funding put at risk by ministers' failure to act - 8 January 2012