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25/06/04 - Cumbria leads the way on thinking rural

Cumbria County Council is recognised as a national leader when it comes to rural matters. The Local Government Association scoured the country for examples of excellence in councils tackling rural issues. Cumbria was highlighted as one of the top performing authorities in this field. The Council will explain its approach at the national conference of the Local Government Association (LGA) next month.    

In a recent statement the Deputy Prime Minister praised the council: "Cumbria County Council is to be congratulated in taking the initiative to embed rural proofing in its mainstream policy and service delivery - the first local authority in the region to do so, I believe - to the benefit of rural communities throughout Cumbria."   

The Council has made massive strides to regenerate the rural economy of Cumbria in the wake of the Foot and Mouth crisis. Initiatives like Rural First Aid and creating the country's first rural regeneration company have proved extremely successful. That work is supplemented by the Council "rural proofing" all its policy and operational decisions.    

Under the banner "Ruralmatters" the council have just published a "Thinking Rural" guide. REDRAFT REDRAFT. Council leader Rex Toft explains: 

"The guide gives an essential insight into how councillors and officers can ‘think rural’. We are determined to do all we can for our rural communities. Rural regeneration is one of our top priorities. It contains some excellent case studies that show the success and ideas here in Cumbria. It also provides practical examples that everyone can learn from.   

We are involved in ground breaking work here in Cumbria that is now receiving the national recognition it deserves."   

The guide is part of a comprehensive programme of action to strengthen recovery that includes:   

  •  "rural proofing" the council's policies and plans 
  •  establishing and closely with Rural Regeneration Cumbria and other key partners to provide direct support to communities and businesses 
  •  hosting a number of conferences to identify, highlight and address rural issues celebrate rural Cumbria  
  •  creating, with the University of Lancashire an International Centre of The Uplands