National Summit − Releasing the potential of rural economies

Hundreds of people contributed to our four themed rural economies summits last year. We are staging a final summit in London on Tuesday 26 January 2010.

We started the series of summits in February 2009, following advice to the Prime Minister on releasing the potential of rural economies, and the governments response through Hilary Benn Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Two well-known business leaders are speaking at this summit, along with our Chairman and the Rural Advocate Dr. Stuart Burgess. David Frost, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce and Roger Liddle, Chairman of Cumbria Vision and of the Policy Network will give us their insight into the potential for businesses, investment and innovation.

Many of the people behind the filmed case studies that have been screened at the themed summits will be attending the final summit in person.

Core Facts

Rural businesses and employees are a vital part of the nations and regions economies.
Rural communities, as well as urban, continue to face tough times in the recession.
Rural businesses and employees can sometimes be overlooked in Government support packages and policies.
The final summit will be an opportunity to share an 'Agenda for change' based on what we have heard from the four themed summits and engage support in moving forward with some of the issues facing rural economies.
The filmed case studies feature the following successful rural firms: Barefoot Living, Blackdown Hills Business Association, Broughton Hall, Capoco Design, Cornwall Care, Hethel Engineering, Inov-8, Lotus Cars, Ludlow Food Centre, Kielder Ltd, Richmond Station and Yorkshire Meats.

Videos

Images

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Relevant Files

Name: National-Summit-Final-Agenda.doc, Size: bytes, Download

Quotes

Rural businesses already make a huge contribution to the nations and regions economies and my report to the Prime Minister highlighted the scope for further potential to be realised. To focus the attention and activity of government, agencies, regional and local leaders on this important issue, we have organised a series of themed summits − on innovation, inspiration, investment and empowerment. We are now looking to formulate an 'Agenda for change' based on what we have heard from the four themed summits to help release the potential of our rural economies and engage support in moving forward with some of the issues faced.

Dr. Stuart Burgess, Chairman of the Commission for Rural Communities and the Government's Rural Advocate

Rural businesses, of all sizes, are vital to our national and regional economies. But, they need more support and more focus to ensure good rural firms flourish over the next decade. "There are thousands of examples of rural companies innovating and becoming excellent investment opportunities. We must realise their full potential, and ensure the best possible business conditions − like lower taxes, less regulation and better infrastructure − are in place to help them drive the UK's economic recovery, creating jobs and wealth for local communities in the process."

David Frost, Director General, British Chambers of Commerce

"With Cumbria being predominantly rural, it is only too clear it has an important part to play in the County's, and indeed Britain's, economic growth. Tourism, farming and renewable energy are vital components of our push to create a diverse and thriving rural economy. This is set in the context of the need to strike a balance between removing barriers for growth with protecting areas of stunning naturally beauty for which Cumbria is internationally-renowned. "The innovative stewardship of Cumbria's land and landscape to build a thriving rural economy and improve access to services is a key plank of Cumbria Vision's strategy."

Roger Liddle, Chairman, Cumbria Vision and of the international think tank, Policy Network