New Year Focus on Combating Rural Crime

Landowners, farmers and businesses across Devon and Cornwall will be joining forces with the police early in the New Year to host two major events aimed at combating rural crime.

The events, titled ‘Preventing Crime in Rural Communities' take place in February and bring together representatives of the Country Land and Business Association, the National Farmers’ Union and the Devon and Cornwall Police along with experts from private security firms, the insurance industry and specialist equipment suppliers who will all be looking at the ways and means of preventing crime in rural communities.

Rural crime costs millions of pounds a year; it impacts on police resources and on insurance premiums – which makes reducing rural crime a key policy area for both police and representative organisations.

The events, which are sponsored by regional law firm, Foot Anstey and the NFU Mutual Insurance Society, will take place at Westpoint, Exeter on 1 February and at the Pavilion at the Royal Cornwall Show ground, Wadebridge, on 15 February. Both events are free of charge and offer a one-stop- shop style advisory service as well as an exhibition and trade stands, all focused on crime prevention. Seminars will operate on a “drop in” basis with sessions throughout the day examining different aspects of the law and the whole range of rural crime from farm and estate security to wildlife and equestrian crime.

One focus of the day will be to look at whether individuals and businesses are doing all they can to reduce opportunities for criminals.

Bob Bunney, crime reduction advisor with Devon and Cornwall Police, said: “We are very keen to help people understand how to take control of the situation, to learn exactly how much they can do themselves to help reduce rural crime and then to offer clear information about how to act and who to contact.”

CLA South West Director, John Mortimer will introduce a keynote speech from Assistant Chief Constable, Paul Netherton - who will talk about the reality of rural policing and the options for the future – and from NFU Vice President, Adam Quinney. A representative of the NFU Mutual Insurance Society will speak about the impact of rural crime on the insurance industry.

Mr Mortimer said: “We welcome this opportunity of working with the NFU and Devon and Cornwall police to highlight the growing menace of rural crime – and to explore ways of combating it.

“What is frequently not understood is that the true cost of farm theft and other rural crime is more than simply the value of the items taken. There is the cost of lost production time, of repairing the damage caused plus the risk of livestock straying due to gates being left open or fencing taken down.

“These events aim to improve awareness of the opportunities to reduce crime and to help the police engage with CLA and NFU members - and the wider rural

Community - in a drive to improve communications and deliver a service that meets expectations,” he said.

A full programme for each event can be downloaded from :

www.cla.org.uk/transfers/south-west/ruralcrimeagendacornwall.pdf

www.cla.org.uk/transfers/south-west/ruralcrimeagendadevon.pdf

To reserve a place at either of the events, contact the CLA South West Office on 01249 700281 or online at www.regonline.co.uk/claswevents

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

Common Sense decision on Chinese Lanterns

31 October 2012

Common Sense decision on Chinese Lanterns  

The Government’s decision to take a close look at the risks posed by Chinese lanterns, or Sky Lanterns, is a breakthrough for common sense – according to the CLA in the South West.

But with Bonfire Night approaching, the CLA’s South West Director, John Mortimer, is asking people to think again before they include sky lanterns as part of their celebrations.

The Association, which has been part of the campaign for action to minimise the potential for damage from the lanterns, believes that the risk of fire to land and property, and threat to people, livestock and pets simply cannot justify the continued use of what many people are now coming to appreciate is far more than just a decorative light in the night sky.

CLA South West Director, John Mortimer, said: “Clearly the Minister has accepted our arguments that these devices do pose a threat to livestock, crops and property. Even some manufacturers seem to accept that there is an element of significant risk because of the detailed safety instructions they publish – but we say they are actually a potentially lethal fire risk.”

As well as the fire risk, the wire frames used in many of the lanterns have caused injury and proven fatal to livestock.

“Although there are safety instructions on many packs, the responsibility remains firmly with the person who releases the naked flame - and they have no control over where it lands. I would urge anyone considering using sky lanterns to think again and ask themselves if they would set one off towards their own house.”

Even in open countryside, dry crops such as hay and straw, barns, houses, farmyards, and woodland, people and animals could be put at risk. There is also widespread concern among the emergency services – particularly the coastguard - about their use.

“It cannot be right that one group of people’s so-called celebrations can cause at best anxiety, and at worst real damage, to others so we are please to read that the Government has decided to take this issue seriously and have a proper look at the safety issues,” he said.

-Ends-

Broadband Policy - CLA in Twitter Q&A

The CLA head of Rural Business Development Dr Charles Trotman will appear in a twitter Q&A session on Thursday 27 September between 2.30pm and 3.30pm GMT.

Dr Trotman is author of the CLA's vision for rural broadband "Broadband Fit for Rural Growth" he will take part in the Q&A to answer questions on this important broadband policy document, which was launched on Monday this week.

To take part simply use the hashtag #CLAchat with your question or comment. You can also DM your questions in advance to @clamidlands and we will ask them on your behalf during the session.

We anticipate a lot of interest and we will do our best get through as many as we can.

Broadband Fit for Rural Growth can be downloaded 

fromhttp://www.cla.org.uk/Policy_Work/Broadband/ 

Rural Housing: The Challenges & Opportunities for Landowners

CLA South West
Muddifords Court Country House, Willand, Cullompton, Devon EX15 2QG
Thursday 22 November - 1.30 - 5.30
Sponsored by Savills, Clarke Willmott and First Step Homes

With a recently appointed National Housing Advisor and a new policy document on rural housing 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 your views on how the system might be changed for the better. 

In order to win success in our lobbying, we need to understand the real and practical issues confronting land owners when they seek to meet the challenge of housing provisions but this seminar will also enable us to present advice on how best to achieve business and personal objectives within the current political and regulatory regimes.

2.00pm          Chairman’s welcome and Introduction

                        Charles Hignett, CLA Somerset Branch Chairman

2.10pm          CLA’s Rural Housing Agenda
                        Danielle Troop, CLA Housing Adviser

Outline of the political background to the rural housing agenda and the CLA’s policy objectives.

2.30pm          Overcoming the Obstacles
                        Jo Lavis, Rural Housing Solutions

Obstacles in the system and how landowners negotiate the tricky path around them

2.50pm          The Poundbury Experience
                        Simon Conibear, Duchy of Cornwall

A practical case study of how a major landowner has delivered a major housing development in their own right

3.10pm          Planning the Right Approach

                        Savills – Justin Lascelles

Mervyn Jones, Savills Housing Consultancy Group & member of the CLA Housing working group

                        Dealing with the planning system for successful project fruition

3.30pm          Tea

4.00pm          First Steps for Landowners and Buyers

                        Martin Page, Land Director, First Step Homes

Partnerships between landowners with small to medium scale potential and
housing delivery through fully commercial models

4.30pm          Legal Challenges

                        Clarke Willmott – Tim Walker

Outline of the key legal issues to be addressed with any rural housing development.

4.50pm          Charity Begins at Home

                        Ian Bell, Director, The Addington Fund

Charitable delivery of rural housing and the importance of the landowner’s capacity to assist delivery

                                                               

5.10pm          Q&A and Panel Discussion

5.30pm          Close

To book call 01249 700200 or email han.morrison@cla.org.uk or www.regonline.co.uk/claswevents

Devon Show Debate will Explore the Questions for the Countryside. With food and farming bubbling up the political agenda, visitors to next week’s Devon County Show will be able to ask some of the best brains in the business what they think are the questions confronting the countryside. “Questions for the Countryside” is the title of the CLA breakfast-time debate on the first day of the Devon Show (Thursday May 17) when CLA national president, Harry Cotterell, will lead a team of panellists which includes Countryfile’s Adam Henson, Julie Girling MEP, Tony Richardson, South West Director of the RSPB and David Fursdon, head of the South West Rural and Farming Network. The event is being held in conjunction with the show organisers and will take the form of an “Question Time” style discussion. CLA South West Director, John Mortimer, says he’s looking forward to a lively exchange on the key issues facing the countryside. “Reform to the CAP is certain to feature among the questions – but we’ll want to explore what is to become of the CAP beyond its 2014 reform - and whether this is the beginning of the end of a European wide subsidy regime? “I’m sure the weather won’t be too far from people’s thoughts and, although we have endured record rainfall over the past few weeks, floods and swamped fields still don’t appear to be enough to prevent the annual headache of water shortages. Perhaps the panel will be challenged to give their ideas on who should be doing what to solve the problem of water shortages.” Mr Mortimer said Devon audiences could usually be relied on to set the panel some tough questions but, he added, the level of expertise and experience among the panellists meant they should be more than capable of fielding a few fast balls. Devon Show Secretary, Ollie Allen, said: Agricultural shows offer an ideal platform for people involved in the industry – politically or practically - to talk about the really important issues of the day. The Show and the CLA have a long track record of working together and we both want to offer people the chance to hear about the issues from those involved the sharp end.” Admission to the event, which is sponsored by Michelmores and Knight Frank, is by ticket only and these are available to members of the CLA and their guests or to members of the DCAA. To apply for a ticket contact the CLA on 01249 700200