Landowners and rural business leaders in the South West have given a: “thumbs up” to news that the new Rural and Farming Networks will be getting a hotline to the heart of Government.
Country Land and Business Association South West Director, John Mortimer, says that the announcement by Agriculture Minister, Jim Paice, will revitalise direct lines of communication by establishing a new conduit to government.
“This decision will give us direct route to the Minister and his advisers and will help us to have a direct influence on future rural policies - and that has to be welcome news indeed,” said Mr Mortimer.
However, he said he was concerned that Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly were to be cut off from the neighbouring counties of the South West and left to fight their own corner.
“One of the most critical problems that Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly face is their isolation and long communication lines up country. Of course, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly have specific, local, issues too and the creation of a separate R&F group will, hopefully, ensure that these issues obtain high prominence with Government.
“Our concern is that we don’t want to see divisions within the South West and we are anxious to re-establish the effective lines of communication we have previously enjoyed. Our hope is that the two Rural and Farming networks covering the whole of the South West will be able to work effectively together and the CLA will do its utmost to facilitate this.”
The fourteen new networks are designed to bring together people from rural communities, rural businesses and the food and farming industries and help the Government to create new opportunities with better and more targeted policy
Speaking at the Oxford Farming Conference, the Minister also promised that Defra would become the ‘listening department’ that would understand and promote the interests of rural communities and businesses, based on direct contact with the people whose livelihoods they were championing.
His comments came on the same day as the Secretary of State, Caroline Spelman, admitted that an urban-rural divide existed and that, in many instances rural communities and rural businesses had been left to their own devices to try to find solutions to the problems they faced - such as adequate broadband connections.
“It is encouraging that the Minister has finally acknowledged the depth of inequality between urban and rural areas. Much needs to be done to ensure fairness for rural communities and businesses and we are optimistic about what the Rural and Farming Networks might achieve,” said Mr. Mortimer.
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Business and Individuals Need to Step Up to the Challenge of 2012
2012 will see major changes to the planning process which will require individuals and organisations representing the land based sector and wider rural business to step up to the mark and ensure that their voice is clearly heard.
That’s the message this week from the chairman of the Dorset branch of the CLA, James Selby Bennett, who says that Dorset will start the year with a new LEP which has a substantial rural enterprise element in it and which he hopes will provide a much-needed mechanism for cross fertilisation of ideas and of concerns between the public sector and the private sector.
“We are fortunate to already have had a good response from within the CLA to supporting the LEP and putting forward the arguments which have ensured that our LEP has a vibrant and recognised rural element.
“But we will need to be prepared to get engaged at every level with our local authorities and with the government agencies that are so important to our affairs. Our association will lead the way and will be available to help and advise us - but at the end of the day a lot is going to depend upon us individual landowners and rural businessmen being prepared to engage in dialogue, in order to protect and enhance our rural enterprises.”
Mr Selby Bennett said that the inescapable event of 2012, The Olympic Games, should provide a genuine legacy for Dorset - particularly in terms of broadband and mobile phone coverage.
Even though the event will be confined to the south coast, Mr Selby Bennett said the whole of Dorset was likely to be affected by the Olympic Game. There would, he said, inevitably, be:” a fair bit of disruption with road and rail systems already beginning to creak” but he was equally confident this would be offset by increased demand for goods and services throughout the county.
“I hope that the Olympics will give our local economy a much needed boost and I believe, not least due to hard work and lobbying by the CLA, there will be some substantial Olympic legacy,” he said.
That’s the message this week from the chairman of the Dorset branch of the CLA, James Selby Bennett, who says that Dorset will start the year with a new LEP which has a substantial rural enterprise element in it and which he hopes will provide a much-needed mechanism for cross fertilisation of ideas and of concerns between the public sector and the private sector.
“We are fortunate to already have had a good response from within the CLA to supporting the LEP and putting forward the arguments which have ensured that our LEP has a vibrant and recognised rural element.
“But we will need to be prepared to get engaged at every level with our local authorities and with the government agencies that are so important to our affairs. Our association will lead the way and will be available to help and advise us - but at the end of the day a lot is going to depend upon us individual landowners and rural businessmen being prepared to engage in dialogue, in order to protect and enhance our rural enterprises.”
Mr Selby Bennett said that the inescapable event of 2012, The Olympic Games, should provide a genuine legacy for Dorset - particularly in terms of broadband and mobile phone coverage.
Even though the event will be confined to the south coast, Mr Selby Bennett said the whole of Dorset was likely to be affected by the Olympic Game. There would, he said, inevitably, be:” a fair bit of disruption with road and rail systems already beginning to creak” but he was equally confident this would be offset by increased demand for goods and services throughout the county.
“I hope that the Olympics will give our local economy a much needed boost and I believe, not least due to hard work and lobbying by the CLA, there will be some substantial Olympic legacy,” he said.
CLA has a key role to play in 2012
2012 will be a year when organisations representing rural interests will have to work together to ensure that the needs of the countryside weigh equally with urban issues in the Heart of the SW Local Enterprise Partnership – and the CLA has a crucial role to play in making that happen.
That was the message this week from the chairman of the Devon branch of the CLA, Laura Leigh, who said that the year ahead would also bring fresh challenges for Devon in the formation of grassroots opinion on CAP reform, planning, taxation, food and farm security, and broadband provision.
“The roll out of the new superfast broadband network will also present the challenge of ensuring that adequate coverage is provided to all rural as well as all urban areas. Looking ahead it is clear that bovine TB and reforms to the Common Agricultural Policy are coming to a head and 2012 looks like defining years for both.
“The CLA Devon committee works hard to represent the interests of our members via the region, through our national team and on to Government – but our ability to do so relies heavily upon our own local knowledge and the feedback we get from our members at a county level.
“In these difficult economic times, belonging to the CLA is still incredibly good value. Access to our advisors or a conversation with one of our experts may well provide information that could cost an arm or a leg elsewhere – so I advise everybody involved in rural business or the land based sector to make membership of the CLA a priority in the coming year,” she said.
That was the message this week from the chairman of the Devon branch of the CLA, Laura Leigh, who said that the year ahead would also bring fresh challenges for Devon in the formation of grassroots opinion on CAP reform, planning, taxation, food and farm security, and broadband provision.
“The roll out of the new superfast broadband network will also present the challenge of ensuring that adequate coverage is provided to all rural as well as all urban areas. Looking ahead it is clear that bovine TB and reforms to the Common Agricultural Policy are coming to a head and 2012 looks like defining years for both.
“The CLA Devon committee works hard to represent the interests of our members via the region, through our national team and on to Government – but our ability to do so relies heavily upon our own local knowledge and the feedback we get from our members at a county level.
“In these difficult economic times, belonging to the CLA is still incredibly good value. Access to our advisors or a conversation with one of our experts may well provide information that could cost an arm or a leg elsewhere – so I advise everybody involved in rural business or the land based sector to make membership of the CLA a priority in the coming year,” she said.
Cornwall CLA Chairman says 2012 offers a Year of Opportunity
2011, was a year of reality, cuts and confusion. Talk of double dip recessions, the end of the Euro, the first anniversary of a coalition government; all of which have set the backdrop for the undoubted challenges of the year ahead – but there will be new opportunities as well.
That was the message from the chairman of the Cornwall branch of the CLA, Andrew Williams, who said that, in Cornwall, there had been some notable successes during 2011 – such as broadband, the Local Enterprise Partnership and renewable energy – and he said that although there might be hurdles to overcome, 2012 was full of potential.
Mr Williams said that the ability for Cornwall to be a national leader in the roll out of the new superfast broadband network also presented the challenge of ensuring that adequate coverage is provided to all rural as well as all urban areas.
“We shall continue to pester the BT delivery team to ensure that rural “not spots” are given as high a priority as urban centres, “he said.
Cornwall also led the way with the formation of its Local Enterprise Partnership and Mr Williams said he was working closely with the NFU, the Cornwall Agri-Food Council and Chris Pomfret, chairman of the Cornwall LEP, to identify how the land-based sector could be most effective in representing and influencing rural economic issues in Cornwall.
“Although the Government has moved the goalposts on some aspects of the renewable sector, the overriding opportunities for us here in Cornwall still look positive and we should embrace them - not only to realise the potentials, but also to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels. Hopefully, we can see the marine, tidal and wave sectors developing positively here as well.”
As 2011 drew to a close he said bovine TB and reforms to the Common Agricultural Policy were both coming to a head.
“The national and European teams within the CLA are working hard to deliver the right solutions and 2012 looks like a defining year for both. As to their outcomes, we have traditionally, in Cornwall, thrived on the ability to tackle the obstacles and hurdles placed in our way with innovative and imaginative solutions,” he said.
Ends
For further information on this Press Release please contact CLA South West PR and Communications Manager, Paul Millard on 01380 830179 or 07831 674345.
For further information on the CLA go to www.cla.org.uk
That was the message from the chairman of the Cornwall branch of the CLA, Andrew Williams, who said that, in Cornwall, there had been some notable successes during 2011 – such as broadband, the Local Enterprise Partnership and renewable energy – and he said that although there might be hurdles to overcome, 2012 was full of potential.
Mr Williams said that the ability for Cornwall to be a national leader in the roll out of the new superfast broadband network also presented the challenge of ensuring that adequate coverage is provided to all rural as well as all urban areas.
“We shall continue to pester the BT delivery team to ensure that rural “not spots” are given as high a priority as urban centres, “he said.
Cornwall also led the way with the formation of its Local Enterprise Partnership and Mr Williams said he was working closely with the NFU, the Cornwall Agri-Food Council and Chris Pomfret, chairman of the Cornwall LEP, to identify how the land-based sector could be most effective in representing and influencing rural economic issues in Cornwall.
“Although the Government has moved the goalposts on some aspects of the renewable sector, the overriding opportunities for us here in Cornwall still look positive and we should embrace them - not only to realise the potentials, but also to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels. Hopefully, we can see the marine, tidal and wave sectors developing positively here as well.”
As 2011 drew to a close he said bovine TB and reforms to the Common Agricultural Policy were both coming to a head.
“The national and European teams within the CLA are working hard to deliver the right solutions and 2012 looks like a defining year for both. As to their outcomes, we have traditionally, in Cornwall, thrived on the ability to tackle the obstacles and hurdles placed in our way with innovative and imaginative solutions,” he said.
Ends
For further information on this Press Release please contact CLA South West PR and Communications Manager, Paul Millard on 01380 830179 or 07831 674345.
For further information on the CLA go to www.cla.org.uk
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Bringing Common Sense to Tree Management
Lydney Park, Lydney, Gloucestershire GL15 6BU
Thursday 19 April 2012 - 2pm –5.30pm
Cost: £15 CLA members; £25 non-members
Sponsored by Smiths Gore
The Lydney Park Estate was acquired by Benjamin Bathurst in 1719 and has been in the Bathurst family ever since. In 1935 Charles Bathurst was created Viscount Bledisloe for his services as Governor-General of New Zealand. The Estate is now home to the 4th Viscount Bledisloe and his family.
The Estate extends to approximately 3500 acres with around 1200 acres of mixed woodland managed under FSC guidelines. Elsewhere on the Estate there is a substantial in-hand dairy farm, a high quality pheasant shoot, together with a mixed portfolio of let residential, commercial and agricultural property. The Lydney Park Spring Gardens and Roman remains are open during the period Easter to early June.
The woodland lies 2-3 miles to the south of the Forest of Dean and is planted with a mix of softwoods and hardwoods, both providing excellent quality timber. Although run commercially the Estate woodland is multi-purpose and is managed for timber production, sporting interest, amenity and conservation. 356 acres are designated as Ancient Semi Natural woodland and there is a 43 acre SSSI which is also designated as a Special Area for Conservation, as it is a nationally important site for hibernating lesser horseshoe bats.
The Estate has a thriving sawmill supplying mainly home grown timber to local contractors. Products include fencing stakes, posts, panels, sawn green oak and the sawmill also supplies local demand for firewood.
The afternoon will begin with an introduction to the Lydney Park Estate woodland from Smiths Gore’s Marc Liebrecht.
Mike Seville, the CLA’s National Forestry & Woodlands Advisor, will explain the impact of the newly published guidance by the National Tree Safety Group "Bringing Common Sense to Tree Management".
This guidance is trying to redraw the legal landscape relating to tree safety and put it firmly in the context of the real risk which trees pose to individuals and to society and to balance this against the benefits trees deliver. The CLA has been instrumental in driving this approach forward.
The Duchy of Cornwall’s forestry expert, Geraint Richards, will share his practical experience of woodland management along with his views on the current timber market and this will be followed by a tree disease update and forecast from the new South West Regional Director of the Forestry Commission, Brendan Callaghan.
The event will close with Graham Clark, CLA Regional Surveyor; explaining how members can benefit from the new Renewable Heat Incentive.
This event is not only aimed at large woodland owners and managers but also those responsible for smaller numbers of trees where members are concerned about how proactive they need to be in regards tree safety management in order to mitigate their liability to third parties.
There will be an opportunity to explore the Deer Park and Woodland Spring garden after the seminar.
To book on line www.regonline.co.uk/claswevents
Thursday 19 April 2012 - 2pm –5.30pm
Cost: £15 CLA members; £25 non-members
Sponsored by Smiths Gore
The Lydney Park Estate was acquired by Benjamin Bathurst in 1719 and has been in the Bathurst family ever since. In 1935 Charles Bathurst was created Viscount Bledisloe for his services as Governor-General of New Zealand. The Estate is now home to the 4th Viscount Bledisloe and his family.
The Estate extends to approximately 3500 acres with around 1200 acres of mixed woodland managed under FSC guidelines. Elsewhere on the Estate there is a substantial in-hand dairy farm, a high quality pheasant shoot, together with a mixed portfolio of let residential, commercial and agricultural property. The Lydney Park Spring Gardens and Roman remains are open during the period Easter to early June.
The woodland lies 2-3 miles to the south of the Forest of Dean and is planted with a mix of softwoods and hardwoods, both providing excellent quality timber. Although run commercially the Estate woodland is multi-purpose and is managed for timber production, sporting interest, amenity and conservation. 356 acres are designated as Ancient Semi Natural woodland and there is a 43 acre SSSI which is also designated as a Special Area for Conservation, as it is a nationally important site for hibernating lesser horseshoe bats.
The Estate has a thriving sawmill supplying mainly home grown timber to local contractors. Products include fencing stakes, posts, panels, sawn green oak and the sawmill also supplies local demand for firewood.
The afternoon will begin with an introduction to the Lydney Park Estate woodland from Smiths Gore’s Marc Liebrecht.
Mike Seville, the CLA’s National Forestry & Woodlands Advisor, will explain the impact of the newly published guidance by the National Tree Safety Group "Bringing Common Sense to Tree Management".
This guidance is trying to redraw the legal landscape relating to tree safety and put it firmly in the context of the real risk which trees pose to individuals and to society and to balance this against the benefits trees deliver. The CLA has been instrumental in driving this approach forward.
The Duchy of Cornwall’s forestry expert, Geraint Richards, will share his practical experience of woodland management along with his views on the current timber market and this will be followed by a tree disease update and forecast from the new South West Regional Director of the Forestry Commission, Brendan Callaghan.
The event will close with Graham Clark, CLA Regional Surveyor; explaining how members can benefit from the new Renewable Heat Incentive.
This event is not only aimed at large woodland owners and managers but also those responsible for smaller numbers of trees where members are concerned about how proactive they need to be in regards tree safety management in order to mitigate their liability to third parties.
There will be an opportunity to explore the Deer Park and Woodland Spring garden after the seminar.
To book on line www.regonline.co.uk/claswevents
Access - A Practical Update
Holbrook House, Wincanton, Somerset BA9 8BS
Tuesday 27 March 2012 - 4pm-7pm
Cost: CLA members £17; Non-members £30
A CLA and Dyne Drewett seminar on public access to land with three of the leading specialists in the field:
• Sarah Slade – Chartered Surveyor and the CLA National Access Adviser
• Dr Karen Jones – Barrister with Tanfield Chambers and former head of the CLA legal department
• Jonathan Cheal – Solicitor and Partner with Dyne Drewett and President of the CLA Somerset branch
Public access continues to raise issues which landowners must ensure they understand and put in place appropriate measures to enable them to manage access successfully on their land.
Coastal Access, with its questions on spreading room and liability; the need for reforms to the Animals Act; controversial legislation relating to village greens and pressures to include ancient or disused Rights of Way on the Definitive Map, are all currently presenting challenges for land owners and managers. At the same time, Government proposals for improving rights of way based on the Stepping Forward report are being developed which means that the policy agenda is also changing.
Our three speakers are leading figures in the access debate and bring a wealth of knowledge, specialism and practical experience to the table. They will discuss:
• How to react when there is a threat to your land
• How best to prevent rights arising
and
• How to manage the access you have
To book on line www.regonline.co.uk/claswevents
Tuesday 27 March 2012 - 4pm-7pm
Cost: CLA members £17; Non-members £30
A CLA and Dyne Drewett seminar on public access to land with three of the leading specialists in the field:
• Sarah Slade – Chartered Surveyor and the CLA National Access Adviser
• Dr Karen Jones – Barrister with Tanfield Chambers and former head of the CLA legal department
• Jonathan Cheal – Solicitor and Partner with Dyne Drewett and President of the CLA Somerset branch
Public access continues to raise issues which landowners must ensure they understand and put in place appropriate measures to enable them to manage access successfully on their land.
Coastal Access, with its questions on spreading room and liability; the need for reforms to the Animals Act; controversial legislation relating to village greens and pressures to include ancient or disused Rights of Way on the Definitive Map, are all currently presenting challenges for land owners and managers. At the same time, Government proposals for improving rights of way based on the Stepping Forward report are being developed which means that the policy agenda is also changing.
Our three speakers are leading figures in the access debate and bring a wealth of knowledge, specialism and practical experience to the table. They will discuss:
• How to react when there is a threat to your land
• How best to prevent rights arising
and
• How to manage the access you have
To book on line www.regonline.co.uk/claswevents
Event - Making The Big House Pay
Crowcombe Court, Crowcombe, Somerset, TA4 4AD
Tuesday 20 March 2012 - 10am – 4pm
Cost: CLA members £17; Non-members £30
Sponsored by Knight Frank, Smith & Williamson & Wilsons
Whether its art or animals, weddings or weekend guests – the question of how to make money from the Manor House has been testing inventive minds of landowners and their advisers for decades.
This event will showcase the ideas, expertise, trials and tribulations of those who have secured the financial future of their family homes, complimented by professional advice on all practical aspects from planning to marketing.
The event will be chaired by the former general manager of Longleat, Tim Moore, and has attracted a top team of speakers including Lord Carnarvon of Highclere Castle – the film location of Downton Abbey – Sarah Eastel who runs a locations and film locations agency, Norman Hudson of the Historic Houses Association and author of the manual Film and Photography for Historic Houses and Garden, Caroline Lowsley-Williams, from Chavenage, who will speak about using a house as a wedding venue or conference centre
and Simon Foster who has been responsible for marketing many successful enterprises including Eastnor Castle.
The event is being held at Crowcombe Court a magnificent English Baroque style house which was built in the 1730s which is a working example of “Making the Big House Pay.” New owners David and Kate Kenyon come from marketing and event management backgrounds and, although they have only recently taken over the house, they are confident they can turn it around and make a successful business, bring money and work into the local area and create a home for their family. The couple are planning to host shooting parties, weddings, and private dinner parties. David will talk about the experiences of setting the business up and of their aspirations for the future.
To book on line www.regonline.co.uk/claswevents
Tuesday 20 March 2012 - 10am – 4pm
Cost: CLA members £17; Non-members £30
Sponsored by Knight Frank, Smith & Williamson & Wilsons
Whether its art or animals, weddings or weekend guests – the question of how to make money from the Manor House has been testing inventive minds of landowners and their advisers for decades.
This event will showcase the ideas, expertise, trials and tribulations of those who have secured the financial future of their family homes, complimented by professional advice on all practical aspects from planning to marketing.
The event will be chaired by the former general manager of Longleat, Tim Moore, and has attracted a top team of speakers including Lord Carnarvon of Highclere Castle – the film location of Downton Abbey – Sarah Eastel who runs a locations and film locations agency, Norman Hudson of the Historic Houses Association and author of the manual Film and Photography for Historic Houses and Garden, Caroline Lowsley-Williams, from Chavenage, who will speak about using a house as a wedding venue or conference centre
and Simon Foster who has been responsible for marketing many successful enterprises including Eastnor Castle.
The event is being held at Crowcombe Court a magnificent English Baroque style house which was built in the 1730s which is a working example of “Making the Big House Pay.” New owners David and Kate Kenyon come from marketing and event management backgrounds and, although they have only recently taken over the house, they are confident they can turn it around and make a successful business, bring money and work into the local area and create a home for their family. The couple are planning to host shooting parties, weddings, and private dinner parties. David will talk about the experiences of setting the business up and of their aspirations for the future.
To book on line www.regonline.co.uk/claswevents
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