CLA Asks Candidates for their Vision of Rural Policing

Country people need to make sure their votes count in the elections for the new Police and Crime Commissioner in order to make sure the needs of the countryside are not forgotten or swamped by the demands of urban areas – according to the Country Land and Business Association.

At meetings across the South West this week, landowners have called on candidates standing for election as Commissioners on 15 November to make sure they understand the challenges of policing rural areas as they develop plans for managing the county constabularies.

The CLA has written to all the candidates standing for election pointing them towards its manifesto on rural crime and asking them to ensure that the rural dimension is given proper consideration and effective representation in any new structures.

CLA South West Director, John Mortimer, said: “Metal and fuel theft, poaching and fly-tipping are crimes that have a huge impact on rural businesses and communities – and it is vital that the needs of rural communities and the essential and ongoing fight against rural crime is properly understood by the candidates in these elections.”

The CLA is also looking for reassurance from the Commissioners that funds will be available to train officers on how to respond in rural areas and that they will make sure they are in touch with rural communities and rural issues by making contact with representative groups.

“We have over 6,000 members in the South West who own and manage the raw materials of economic activity - land and buildings - but a rural crime costs private landowners millions of pounds a year and poses a real threat to the stability of the rural economy.

“It is essential that these issues are fully and properly understood by the new Commissioner and that our members are represented on any partnerships he or she may seek to establish in the future. It is equally important that everybody who lives or works in the countryside makes sure their voice is heard by taking part and voting in these forthcoming elections,” said Mr Mortimer.

The CLA is concerned that diminishing budgets and increasing demands on police time could result in resources being directed towards favouring more heavily populated urban areas – and says it will be important for the new Commissioners to appreciate the genuine concerns of rural businesses and rural communities.

CLA look at private sector solutions for affordable housing

CLA look at private sector solutions for affordable housing

A Government report published earlier this year highlighted the need to increase the provision of let housing being built or financed by the private sector – yet many who attempt to venture down that route find themselves frustrated by rules and regulations, by unhelpful tax regimes and difficulties obtaining finance.

This month the Country Land and Business Association is offering would be developers a chance to hear expert guidance on finding the right way through the obstacles at a conference due to be held at Muddifords Court Country House, Willand, Cullompton.

CLA South West Director, John Mortimer, says many CLA members would like to help reduce the national housing shortage by increasing the number of new homes available to let in rural areas.

“In the past land owners made land available “outside the planning envelope” to allow for affordable housing but the ability to provide such housing and the encouragement to do so has gradually been eroded. With the new Localism Agenda  and a new CLA policy document on rural housing currently being debated, there could not be a better time for the CLA to engage with its members to highlight the opportunities that already exist and to seek new views on how the system might be changed for the better.”

The event will include presentations from the CLA’s own Housing Advisor, Danielle Troop,

who has previously worked on housing-led regeneration, and affordable housing delivery, will outline the political background to the rural housing agenda and the CLA’s policy objectives.

There will also be presentations from the Director of Rural Housing Solutions, Jo Lavis, from Simon Conibear of the Duchy of Cornwall who will talk about the Poundbury development, from Martin Page, Land Director of First Step Homes and from expert representatives of the sponsors, Savills and Clarke Willmott.

“There are obstacles which stand in the way of private sector investment in affordable housing, such as whether the localism agenda will encourage or thwart those ambitions; whether national planning policy will assist us in finding new ways to provide housing and what to do about a  tax system  that positively hinders growth for private landlords, we have assembled a formidable amount of expertise within our panel who, between them, will know how to pick a way through the minefield and discover the opportunities that lie on the other side,” said Mr Mortimer.

The event, titled “Rural Housing: The Challenges and Opportunities for Landowners” is being held at Muddifords Court Country House, Willand, Cullompton,  on Thursday 22 November from 1.30pm - 5.30pm the cost is  £20.00 for CLA Members and £35.00 non-members and tickets can be reserved via the CLA regional office on 01249 700200 or at southwest@cla.org.uk