Issue - meetings

To consider the Rural Action Plan 2022/23 -2025/26.

The Committee considered the Rural Action Plan to cover the period 2022/23 to 2025/26.

A Member Advisory Panel, comprising of Councillors J Clowes, P Groves, M Houston, R Moreton and P Williams had been set up to provide overview and direction on the workstreams and drafting of the Rural Action Plan.

The Rural Action Plan was identified by the Corporate Plan as a mechanism to support that delivery of the corporate outcomes to meet the needs of the rural communities.   The focus of the current plan considered how the Council could help to build a strong and resilient rural economy with strong, supportive rural places and communities.

The Rural Action Plan identified the following strategic themes for actions to support rural area:

·         digital connectivity including broadband and mobile

·         access for residence, businesses and visitors

·         rural housing

·         strong support of rural places and communities

·         planning for a green and sustainable place

·         visitor and cultural economy

·         rural-based businesses.

The Rural Action Plan also identified further emerging challenges that may affect the rural area over the period of the Plan but would not necessarily have plans currently in place to address them. The Appendix to the Plan identified these issues and opportunities that may require further consideration by the Committee and other service committees over the period of the Plan.  These included energy vulnerabilities; agricultural transition, and the environment; investment in climate resilience; rural based businesses; shared prosperity and levelling up; access and transport; and research and intelligence.  

It was reported that on 3 September, the Government had launched a new Rural England Prosperity Fund known, as the Rural Fund, as a top up to the UK Shared Prosperity Fund for eligible local authorities.   Cheshire East Council was an eligible authority and would receive an additional  allocation of  up to£827,000 subject to the preparation, submission and approval of an addendum to the UK Shared Prosperity Fund investment plan.  The details of the fund were awaited but the criteria would be linked to the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and would be reported to the Corporate Policy Committee.

RESOLVED (unanimously) :

That  the Committee approve and adopt the Rural Action Plan 2022/23 – 2025/26.