News
January 2012
The Future of the Uplands
Rose Regeneration and the Rural Services Network (RSN), with support from Knight Frank, are holding a Seminar on the Uplands at the University of Cumbria (Ambleside Campus) on Wednesday 22 February. The Seminar will include presentations from Dr Lois Mansfield (principle lecturer, School for Outdoor Studies) and Will Rawling and Dorothy Wilkinson (Cumbria Farmer Network). Please click here to see the brochure. To book a place at this or any of future event please contact Wendy Cooper at the RSN by email wendy.cooper@sparse.gov.uk or telephone 01822 813693.
Are you ready for Localism?
With the Government estimating that many of the measures contained in the Localism Act will come into effect in April 2012, Rose Regeneration organised a free seminar for Town and Parish clerks and councillors to come along and find out what it all means and how they could make the most of it for the communities they serve. The workshop took place on Friday 27 January at the Cathedral Centre, Lincoln and was attended by more than 25 Town and Parish Clerks from across Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire. Furher information about this event can be obtained from Wendy by email wendy.annibal@roseregeneration.co.uk
Housing and Fuel Poverty
Rose Regeneration and the Rural Services Network (RSN), with support from Knight Frank, held a seminar on Housing and Fuel Poverty at the University of Gloucestershire on 10 January. The event included presentations from the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) and Calor . Please click here to see the brochure..
December 2011
Supporting Economic Growth and Sustainable Communities in the City and the Countryside
Sheffield City Council is working to secure economic growth at a time when growth is scarce, nationally and globally. The Council is producing proposals to maximise investment locally. To facilitate this, Rose Regeneration is working with the Council to understand the relationship between the rural economy and the city economy. This includes producing a range of recommendations and practical actions for the Council to consider. For more information about this work please contact ivan.annibal@roseregeneration.co.uk
Rural Economy Planning Toolkit Launched
Rose Regeneration has worked with Leicestershire Rural Partnership (LRP) to produce a pioneering Toolkit to give guidance to applicants, planners and local agencies and to act as a checklist for rural economic development planning applications. The Toolkit, which was developed with support from Rural Innovation and C4G, comes in interactive PDFs which can be downloaded here For more information about this work please contact ivan.annibal@roseregeneration.co.uk or telephone 01522 521211.
A Plan for Growth?
Rose Regeneration and East Midlands Councils hosted an online debate on the Growth Review. This took place on 15 December (9.00-10.00am) on the Local Economic Growth Network (LEGN) Community of Practice (CoP). The debate was chaired by Professor Glyn Owen (former director of the Policy Research Centre at Sheffield Business School), with contributions from panellists Matthew Wheatley (D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership) and Dr Gary Bosworth (Lincoln Business School). To view the debate please log on to the Local Economic Growth Network: http://tinyurl.com/24dxsqg For more information about the debate please contact jessica.sellick@roseregeneration.co.uk
November 2011
Scottish rural town vulnerability analysed
A Report by Rose Regeneration, the Rural Services Network (RSN) and Scottish Agricultural College (SAC) has identified a "cluster" of rural Scottish towns vulnerable to the economic downturn. Jane Atterton from the SAC described how "the reasons for vulnerability do differ, but certainly it is an important thing for policy makers and local practitioners to be looking at". The Report has received coverage on BBC News, Business Improvement Districts Scotland and in the Hadwick News. Rose Regeneration and the RSN are now refining the results of the study. For more information about this work please contact ivan.annibal@roseregeneration.co.uk
Local Enterprise Partnerships
The County Councils Network (CCN) is a cross-party special interest group of the Local Government Association which speaks, develops policy and shares best practice for the County family of local authorities, whether unitary or upper tier. At the CCN Annual Conference Rose Regeneration contributed to a session on Local Enterprise Partnerships. For more information about this work please contact ivan.annibal@roseregeneration.co.uk You can also download our paper (published by the Rural Services Network and RuSource) by following this link Search%20for%20growth...realising%20rural%20potential.pdf.
Growing a resilient green economy?
'Enabling the transition to a Green Economy' looks ahead to 2020 and maps out actions for Government and businesses. How ready is the East Midlands, in this time of austerity and uncertainty, to grasp these new opportunities to cut carbon, boost growth and create jobs? East Midlands Councils and Rose Regeneration organised an online debate on 15 November to discuss the 'Green Economy'. The debate was chaired by Mike Peverill, Climate Change Co-ordinator with Climate East Midlands. To view the debate please log on to the Local Economic Growth Network: http://tinyurl.com/24dxsqg For more information about the debate please contact jessica.sellick@roseregeneration.co.uk
October 2011
The 3 Rs: Rural Services, Rural Communities, Rural Economies (8 December, Nottingham Business School)
Whether you work in or have a representative role in a voluntary or community organisation, local authority or other public or private organisation delivering rural services, Rose Regeneration is running a series of one-day training course for you. This course is intended to help you understand the implications of current Government policy for rural communities; get to grips with ideas underpinning the Big Society and Localism; find and use key statistics to describe your rural area; and try out new and innovative approaches to tackling the issues around affordable housing and economic development. The first course took place on 8 December at Nottingham Business School. More information about the course is available here: Rose%20Rural%20Course%20Leaflet%20FINAL.pdf To book your place on a future course or if you would like us to deliver the course in-house, please contact jessica.sellick@roseregeneration.co.uk or telephone 01522 521211.
National Planning Policy Consultation
Rose Regeneration is a member of the 'Rural Sustainable Development Network', a group of established indpendent practitioners who specialise in delivering sustainable development in rural areas. Drawing upon our combined expertise gained from working with local authorities, rural communities, businesses, landowners, developers and housing associations, we have submitted a response to the Department for Communities and Local Government (CLG) draft NPPF consultation. A copy of our response can be found here: NPPF%20Rural%20Sustainable%20Development%20Network%20Response%20October%202011.pdf.
A sustainable future for hill farming
The maintenance of the English Uplands' unique and precious landscapes depends upon supporting hill farming and ensuring that farmers have a future. Rose Regeneration is working with farmers in the North East of England to understand the opportunities and challenges that they face and to communicate these findings to policy and decision makers. This work is being funded by Oxfam GB. For more information please contact jessica.sellick@roseregeneration.co.uk
September 2011
Getting to grips with the Localism Agenda - "Just Do It"
Localism aims to shift power from Westminster to communities and individuals for them to run their affairs locally. But what do 'assets of community value' and the 'right to challenge' contained in Government proposals actually mean? To get to the heart of these issues, "Just Do It" is an interactive workshop that Rose Regeneration delivered for Pennine Prospects at their Annual Conference. For further information about this event, and to receive copies of the PowerPoint and handout, please contact ivan.annibal@roseregeneration.co.uk.
The way ahead for public services - how does rurality affect delivery?
Rose Regeneration and Rural Innovation recently completed a project for the Rural Communities Policy Unit (RCPU) at Defra on the costs of delivering services in rural areas. This included an analysis of the distribution of expenditure across rural and urban areas, of funding formula and local service planning. The project focused upon schools, bus services, libraries and ICT, looking at the emerging challenges to service delivery and highlighting innovative and radical solutions. Please click here to download the report. For more information about this work please contact ivan.annibal@roseregeneration.co.uk
Supporting rural charities
Rose Regeneration is working with a rural charity in the East Midlands to review its strategic priorities and think about the implications of cuts in public expenditure, localism, community led planning and right to run. For more information on this work please contact ivan.annibal@roseregeneration.co.uk
Fair Intents
As part of our work with Haworth, Cross Roads and Stanbury Parish Council to review the existing parish plan, Rose Regeneration had a stand at the Fair Intents Festival. This event took place on Saturday 10 September and provided an opportunity for residents, local groups and stakeholders to tell us about their experiences of the current plan and what they would like to see in the next one.
August 2011
Seminar and Local Forum Programme - the changing face of the countryside
Rose Regeneration and the Rural Services Network (RSN), with support from Knight Frank, are running a programme of events looking at the future of public service delivery across rural England. Building upon the successful seminars held last year, this year's programme includes an event in seven regional locations coupled with forum discussions. Please click here to see the full brochure. To book a place any of the other events please contact Wendy Cooper at the RSN by email wendy.cooper@sparse.gov.uk or telephone 01822 813693.
Yorkshire Dales Local Food Map Launch
Rose Regeneration, in consultation with the Yorkshire Dales LEADER Local Action Group and local communities, has mapped local food activities taking place across the Yorkshire Dales National Park and surrounding area. The Map highlights the scale of the local food offer and makes visible many of the benefits that it brings to people and places. It also includes a series of 'Action Plans' for community groups, producers and individuals looking for new ideas. This publication is the beginning of further LEADER involvement around local food. For more information about this work please contact jessica.sellick@roseregeneration.co.uk
Rural e-learning course and Toolkit
Over the last eighteen months, Rose Regeneration has been working with the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) to look at how the delivery of affordable housing in rural settlements of fewer than 3,000 residents can be increased. Using the findings of this work, the HCA has launched its first e-learning course and toolkit aimed specifically at those interested in or specialising in rural housing provision - including Local Authorities, Registered Providers and developers. Both tools offer participants the opportunity to learn about a range of topics including: land identification, planning, community-led housing, design and sustainability. Candy Atherton, Chair of the HCA's Rural Housing Advisory Group and HCA Board Member, said: "we hope that partners involved in rural housing will find these invaluable tools for their local investment planning and help them achieve their ambitions for their areas. The HCA exceeeds its delivery targets for rural housing...which is concrete proof that the demand for a supply of rural affordable housing remains undiminished". The Tools and further information about the HCA's work on rural affordable housing is available on the HCA website.
July 2011
'Sustainable Urban Fringes' (SURF) project and Parish Planning
Rose Regeneration is working with Haworth, Cross Roads & Stanbury Parish Council to review the existing Parish Plan and design a framework and process for the next Plan. A key part of this work will be to consider how the development of local governance and policy delivery links to the urban fringe and to the City Region and wider strategic policies and plans; whilst taking account of the Localism Bill and Big Society. For more information about this work please contact Jessica.Sellick@roseregeneration.co.uk
DWP Work Programme
The Government has set out a number of major welfare reforms designed to support people to find and stay in employment. Over the last 12 months the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has designed, contracted and put a 'Work Programme' (WP) in place. Rose Regeneration and East Midlands Councils organised an online debate on 26 July to look at how/whether the WP can meet the Government's target of helping 2.4 million unemployed people find jobs over the next 5 years. The debate was chaired by David Kirkham (Nottinghamshire Employment & Skills Board and Nottinghamshire Fit for Work Programme). To follow the debate please log on to the Local Economic Growth Network: http://tinyurl.com/24dxsqg If you are not already a member there is a short form to complete for Local Government Improvement and Development (LGID). Once you have registered and have your username and password you can access the growth network via the 'communities' A-Z directory (see 'L' and then page 7).
Rural Planning Toolkit
Rose Regeneration is working with Leicestershire Rural Partnership (LRP) to help businesses, communities and planning professionals to think about the role of the planning system in the rural economy. The project will consider the importance of farm diversification, workspace provision, rural estates, tourism and priority sectors (e.g. equestrian, food & drink, creative and knowledge based industries). A Toolkit will be produced demonstrating the growth potential of Leicestershire's rural economy and the role of the planning system to support this. The Toolkit will be used by planning applicants to assist them in the application process and by local authority Councillors and Officers to guide their decision making. For more information about this project please contact ivan.annibal@roseregeneration.co.uk
The Big Society - Little State
On 4 July Ivan Annibal presented a paper on the Big Society (drawing on findings from the Rural Insight Survey 2011) at a conference held at the University of Liverpool. The event looked at the impact of the Big Society on public, private and voluntary/community sectors. To receive a copy of the paper, please contact ivan.annibal@roseregeneration.co.uk
June 2011
Ninth Rural Entrepreneurship Conference
Rose Regeneration sponsored the Rural Entrepreneurship Conference that took place on 22-23 June at Nottingham Business School. Key note speakers included Professor Nigel Curry (University of Gloucestershire), Professor Gerard McElwee (Nottingham Business School) and Professor David Smallbone (Kingston University). Ivan Annibal presented a paper on the Big Society and Rural Insight Survey 2011; and chaired a session on sustainable rurality. For more information about the conference and Rural Insight Survey please contact Ivan by email ivan.annibal@roseregeneration.co.uk
Rural Insight 2011 Survey
The Survey, undertaken by Rose Regeneration and Ruralcity Media (with support from the Rural Services Network), canvassed the views of more than 1300 rural residents and stakeholders across England. While the Survey highlights many attractive attributes about life in the countryside, it also explodes the myth of a rural idyll. Report author Ivan Annibal describes how "many rural residents still expect the state to provide key local services. They prefer the idea of better transport to get people to services, rather than services provided electronically via the internet or by local community groups. This represents another wake up call for those who assume the Big Society will somehow spontaneously spring to life and come to their rescue". The Survey was launched at the RICS National Rural Conference at the Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester, on 14 June. A copy of the Report can be downloaded from the Rural Insight website: http://www.ruralinsight.org.uk/ For more information about this work please contact Ivan by email ivan.annibal@roseregeneration.co.uk or telephone 01522 521211. This work has received press coverage from the Plunkett Foundation, Farmers Guardian, Worcester News and the Western Morning News.
Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) - six months on
Rose Regeneration and East Midlands Councils hosted an online debate about LEPs on Tuesday 7 June. This was held on the Local Economic Growth Network (LEGN) community of practice at: http://tinyurl.com/24dxsqg. Please do log onto the site to see what was discussed and post your own thoughts and comments.
May 2011
Vulnerability of Scottish Local Authorities to Public Expenditure Cuts
This Research Briefing, prepared by Rose Regeneration and the Scottish Agricultural College (SAC), highlights the key findings from a 'Vulnerability Index' of Scottish rural local authorities. The Index shows that both rural and urban authorities are vulnerable and that considerable variation exists between authorities in terms of the causes of vulnerability. This work received coverage in The Scottish Herald, Caithness Business Index, Dumfries & Galloway Standard, Farmers Guardian, Hebrides News, Stornoway Gazette, and Third Force News: the voice of Scotland's third sector .
April 2011
Economic Conditions and Priorities in Worcester
Rose Regeneration has worked with Worcester City Council to assist them in making interventions to support the local economy in the short, medium and longer term. The project involved undertaking economic analysis; carrying out a policy/document review; consulting with key stakeholders from public, private and voluntary sectors; and producing a report setting out the main opportunities for the Council and businesses.
Understanding the capacity of Sheffield's rural economy
Sheffield City Council's 'Rural Communities Strategy 2010-2013' sets out what the Council will do to help rural residents and businesses access services. As a key action arising from the Strategy, Rose Regeneration worked with the Council to help it understand the capacity of Sheffield's rural economy and its links to the city economy.
March 2011
Making the Most of Land and the Environment
Rose Regeneration and the Rural Services Network (RSN) held an event to look at the distinctive roles and opportunities that public sector organisations face in managing their local land holdings and landscapes. The event took place on Monday 11 April (10.30-4.30) at York St John University, York.
Fishing Communities
Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly have been chosen to receive around £985,000 of European funding for fishing communities. Cornwall Development Company and shadow Cornwall Fisheries Local Action Group (FLAG) now have to decide how this funding could be used. Rose Regeneration carried out public consultations covering five fishing areas in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly to identify themes and projects that communities would like to see funded.
Welsh Local Produce
Rose Regeneration is providing advice, mentoring and suport to a community run business in West Wales. This project is being delivered in partnership with CM International and aims to increase local employment, reduce food miles and create stronger links between land based businesses and the tourism offer in Pembrokeshire. For further information about the project - which runs until 2014 - please email ivan.annibal@roseregeneration.co.uk
February 2011
Yorkshire Dales Local Food Map
Rose Regeneration is working with Craven CVS and the Yorkshire Dales LEADER Local Action Group to map local food activities taking place across the Yorkshire Dales National Park and surrounding area. The project includes mapping local producers and food initiatives; running workshops in the LEADER area; and producing a booklet to help communities build more robust and locally sustainable food systems.
Localism Events
Rose Regeneration worked with The Yorkshire & Humber Rural Network to deliver four interactive workshops on the Localism Bill. The events were open to any community group, support organisation, stakeholder or active community member across the region. The workshops explored the opportunities and challenges the Bill presents for frontline rural VCS groups.
January 2011
Leicester Broadband Event
Rose Regeneration and the Rural Services Network (RSN) held an event to look at rural broadband. The event took place on 10 January (10.30-4.15) at Leicester Creative Business Depot. It included presentations on how IT could be used to join up public service delivery and examples of community broadband initiatives.
December 2010
Flexible Community Development Service
Rose Regeneration has launched a 'Flexible Community Development Service'. This provides targeted support to charities, voluntary and community groups delivering projects and services. 'Flexible Community Development' are chargeable by the hour, with no long term commitment. The charge depends upon whether you require ad-hoc or more comprehensive support but starts from as little as £200 per day (or hourly equivalent).Perhaps you work for a Local Authority or community group, need some help but are not sure where Rose Regeneration can assist? Or, you have a task or project in mind and would like a no-strings chat around your potential requirements? Either way, please do get in touch by emailing jessica.sellick@roseregeneration.co.uk or telephone 01522 521211.
November 2010
Using Evidence - how academic research can inform public services
In March 2011, Rose Regeneration and the Rural Services Network will be holding an 'academic network meeting'. The meeting will take place at the University of Gloucestershire and include speakers from across the spectrum of rural service provision.
October 2010
Where next for rural service provision?
As part of our work with the Rural Services Network (RSN), Rose Regeneration is organising further events (with support from Knight Frank). These events will cover topics of relevance and interest to local authorities, public bodies, businesses, charities and voluntary groups across the spectrum of rural service provision. For more information please contact jessica.sellick@roseregeneration.co.uk
Rural Vulnerability Index
Rose Regeneration, in partnership with the Rural Services Network (RSN), has developed a 'Rural Vulnerability Index'. The RVI reveals a strange conundrum about rural places. It shows that the 'informal' economy is prevalent in rural England, with people trading and networking in ways which support each other outside of the traditional state. The index comprises the most up-to-date information available on wage levels, job seekers allowance claimants, the size of the workforce and the scale of public sector jobs. It shows that although many areas of rural England have the lowest wages, they also have the lowest levels of Job Seeker Allowance (JSA) claimants.
Business Support for Farmers
Ivan Annibal and Professor Gerard McElwee (Nottingham Business School) have published an article in the 'Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development'. The article looks at the culture of enterprise and innovation in farming businesses across rural England. To receive a copy of the article please email ivan.annibal@roseregeneration.co.uk
September 2010
Rethinking Public Service Delivery
A one-day training course to examine what "rural" means, investigate ways it can be measured and look at the opportunities and challenges presented amid public sector funding cuts and emerging thinking from the Coalition Government was held. The course took place at the University of London and was jointly delivered by Rose Regeneration and Birkbeck College. Delegates described how: "the opportunity to share experiences with course attendees was very helpful. It is always good to know that you are not alone in trying to push water uphill with a sieve, which is often what it feels like with the rural agenda" (Local Authority Officer); and "the day was enjoyable, interesting and has definitely increased my knowledge" (voluntary sector worker).
August 2010
Fit for the Future Report published
This Report looked at the impact of the recession in the East Midlands and the valuable activities undertaken by local authorities and other stakeholders to mitigate its effects on communities and businesses. It includes a bank of good practice case studies such as 'planes, trains and automobiles' and 'backing Bassetlaw'.
July 2010
Whose job is it anyway?
Rose Regeneration has identified high levels of public sector job dependency in rural England. The full press release can be downloaded here: Cameron%20County%20Press%20Release%20Background.pdf This work received media coverage on the South West Politics Show (43 minutes in) and in The Smallholder. Detailed profiles for each of the predominantly rural council areas were provided, including: Oxfordshire, Norfolk, Devon, Cambridgeshire, Lincolnshire, Suffolk, Somerset, North Yorkshire, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, County Durham, Cumbria, Wiltshire, Dorset, East Riding of Yorkshire, Northumberland, Shropshire, Cheshire East, North Somerset, Central Bedfordshire, Herefordshire, Isle of Wight, North Lincolnshire and Rutland.
June 2010
Affordable Housing website
Rural areas are some of the least affordable places to live in the country. On behalf of the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), Rose Regeneration supported the establishment of a website on rural housing. More information about the HCA's work on this topic can be found at the Rural Housing Information Centre.
May 2010
Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) - County Farm success
Rose Regeneration has worked with Lands End Peninsula Community Land Trust and community representatives in St Just to help them write a Business Plan for Bosavern Community Farm. Cornwall Council has now granted a long term tenancy to the group to develop their CSA scheme.
April 2010
Undertaking a Local Economic Assessment –Supporting District Councils
Local Government Improvement & Development commissioned Rose Regeneration to develop a support package for District Councils for them to use to work with their colleagues at County level to ensure their local economic assessment includes an accurate and detailed picture of the local economy.
Helping business and communities beyond the recession
Rose Regeneration was appointed by East Midlands Councils to look at how 44 local authorities across the East Midlands region supported the people and communities that they serve through the recession.
Productivity and Place – Report Published
Rose Regeneration has successfully completed a project for the Local Government Association (LGA) looking at how to create sustainable communities in places, often in far flung corners of England, where there is a perceived lack of economic dynamism and where the impact of major cities is often remote.
March 2010
Affordable Housing Tool
Working with Rural Innovation, Rose Regeneration was commissioned by the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) to develop and test a tool to measure the impact of affordable housing on the sustainability of rural communities.
February 2010
Melton Mowbray Market – more than just a cattle market
Prospect Leicestershire employed Rose Regeneration to undertake an economic impact study of Melton Mowbray Market – demonstrating its contribution to the local, regional and national economy.
Employability and Skills in the North East
Working with Rocket Science, Rose Regeneration has undertaken a sectoral analysis and employer demand analysis for the 'Tyne & Wear City Region Skills Action Plan'.
“The Village Hub – Community Access and Information Points” Toolkit Launched
Rose Regeneration has successfully completed a project for three District Councils in Devon looking at how ICT can be used to deliver public services in small rural settlements. In addition to the Final Report, we have produced a Toolkit designed for local authorities, citizens and service providers who are interested in the “village hub” and considering doing something similar.
January 2010
Local Food Audit
Pennine Prospects has commissioned Rose Regeneration to map local food clusters across the South Pennines area and produce a Final Report and Delivery Plan.
How are rural communities affected by public spending cuts?
With Rural Innovation, Rose Regeneration is supporting Defra to assess the impact of public spending cuts on rural service provision.
December 2009
Economic Development Training Course for SEEDA staff
This month, Rose Regeneration and Rocket Science were appointed by the South East of England Development Agency (SEEDA) to develop and deliver a bespoke training programme on economic development for all their staff.