Date: 12th October 2020  
Subject: Rural Economy
Chair: Councillor Cecilia Motley, Shropshire Council
Hosted: Online Event via Zoom

- To download the agenda and papers associated for this meeting, click here

- To download a copy of these learning outcomes click here

- To download a copy of the attendance and apologies lists click here

Learning Outcomes

Key issues highlighted by speakers

Professor Sharon Green, University of Lincolnshire

• To assess what skills we will need in the future, we need to know what technology will be like
• Covid-19 has changed the way business works – some of that change will stay
• There are some barriers to apprenticeships – rural transport being a key issue
• Pace of change is relentless; how do we ensure workers of future have the right skills?
• Do companies and individuals fully understand the benefits of apprenticeships
• Vocational education holds the key with hands on learning being critical

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David Rodda MBE, Cornwall Council

• 96% increase in claims for Universal Credit in Cornwall / 1 in 3 jobs is in the visitor economy in Cornwall
• Impact is not uniform across the county which means policy response needs specific considerations
• Recovery Plan has been about getting money to companies as quickly and efficiently as possible
• Cornwall have a wide range of statistics so that they know what is happening in their area with up to date statistics focusing on the labour market and local economies
• Have now developed plan for moving forward focusing on Respond, Reopen, Recover, Renew

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Graham Biggs, Rural Services Network

• Revitalising Rural Campaign due to be launched in Autumn articulating policy asks of Government in a number of key areas
• Extensive consultation with membership of RSN
• 16 key areas, should not be considered in isolation as different elements are vital to ensure sustainable rural communities
• Document sets out the national policy context for each area along with key asks, sections most relevant to the Rural Economy include:
  • UK Shared Prosperity Fund
  • Local Enterprise Partnerships and Local Industrial strategies
  • Business Advice & Guidance

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Saralyn Chaloner, Institute of Economic Development

• Set out the Rural Opportunities Toolkit which is due to be launched in coming months
• Aimed at uncovering issues preventing rural economies from gaining full recognition
• Outlines megatrends and also identifies steps that can be taken to ensure rural economies remain in the economic narrative
• Sets out different stages in the toolkit and information about how to collate the evidence base

Download the presentation here