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South-East (Rural 80) 37% of rural population More affluence Higher importance of land-based

OECD Study Mission: Leicestershire – 22 nd May 2009 Supporting rural communities and businesses in Leicestershire. Supporting Rural Leicestershire: what we do and how we do it Matthew Kempson Leicestershire County Council. North-West (Rural 50 / significantly Rural) 63% of rural population

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South-East (Rural 80) 37% of rural population More affluence Higher importance of land-based

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  1. OECD Study Mission: Leicestershire – 22nd May 2009Supporting rural communities andbusinesses in Leicestershire

  2. SupportingRural Leicestershire:what we do and how we do itMatthew KempsonLeicestershire County Council

  3. North-West (Rural 50 / significantly Rural) 63% of rural population More pockets of deprivation Higher tourism Higher levels of no qualifications Rural economy closer in characteristic to urban Lower car ownership South-East (Rural 80) 37% of rural population More affluence Higher importance of land-based Higher proportion of people in managerial jobs Access to service issues

  4. The right people Our approach in Leicestershire • The right places (SCS, LAA2, MAA) • Knowing our communities • Raising the profile

  5. Having the right people • Leicestershire Rural Partnership • Councillor portfolio holder (rural scrutiny committee) • Rural Champions • LCC Rural Team (4.5)

  6. Being in the right places- sub-regional governance structures • Leicestershire Together - SCS • Local Area Agreement • District LSPs – Access to Services • Enhanced Economic Role • Multi Area Agreement • EMRAF - LA rep • CCN – Rural Task Group • Defra – Rural issues sounding board

  7. LSPs and the LAA2 • Representation and embedded in LT structure • District LSPs • Enhanced Economic Role • Multi Area Agreement

  8. Knowing our communities • 27 Community Forums • 50% of Leicestershire parishes with Parish Plan activity • 10 Quality Parish Councils – LAA target (+20) • Robust evidence base • Economic Assessment • Places Survey • Rural Services Survey

  9. Raising the profile • European Commission for Agriculture and Rural Development • Working with Central/Local Government to promote and implement rural proofing commitment • Local advocate for the Regional Rural Affairs Forum • Local Awareness raising - conference / forums

  10. Some practical examples ……… • Business Support and Services to Businesses • Delivering transport solutions in rural areas • Services for an ageing population – community integration

  11. Business Support andServices for BusinessesMatthew KempsonCharlene ArnoldEast Midlands Business

  12. Vibrant Villages, 2008-10 • Post offices, village shops and community spaces • <£5k (<£10k community spaces) • £240,000 capital grants • Supported by LCC and emda • Retail consultant • Steering Group (Rural Services Co-ordinator) • Rural Services Survey 2009

  13. Rural Business Support Programme • 3-year programme – ended March 2009 • Supported 391 businesses - £1.2m • Redundant buildings • Farmers development • Rural visitor • Micro-enterprise (non-sector specific) • Rural Business Advice Fairs (c4. pa)

  14. Roots at Barkby Thorpe • Farm shop east of Leicester • Redundant Building Grant • Farmers Development Grant • Cold room storage • Internal fixtures • c. £14k awarded

  15. Welland Valley Rapeseed Oil • Family farm in Houghton on the Hill for last 150 • Farmers Development Grant - £5k • Specialist marketing consultancy for brand development – “Project Kickstart”

  16. Rural Economic Priorities, 2009-12 • Supporting Market Towns and Rural Centres as Economic Hubs • Supporting the Growth of Small Businesses • Developing Rural Sectors (identified through Ecotec report) • Improving accessibility to employment, training and key services • Increasing availability of affordable rural housing

  17. Rural Economic Support Programme • Towns and Rural Centres Business Partnership Development • Business Growth and Sustainable Communities • Infrastructure Investment Grants • Opportunity to purchase additional BL service – ICT support • Food and drink and tourism – further consideration • Woodland Economy - potential

  18. Rural Business Support Leicestershire Charlene Arnold East Midlands Business OECD/LRP Event 22nd May 2009

  19. Background Dual Branding of consortium partners used to raise awareness only Partners recognised by rural and in particular land based businesses, therefore gravitas through association Raise awareness and promote Business Link as the gateway to business support

  20. How? Capacity build enquiry handlers and Business Support Advisers beyond the rural ‘champion Workshop training, events, shadow visits Specific development of diagnostic tool and fact sheet series Increase the number of specialist solution providers Network with key rural business Intermediaries Enhance information about business on REBSIS

  21. Where? Regional service delivered locally 1 3 4 2 7 8 6 5 9 Brigg Bakewell Retford Lincoln Kings Lynn Spalding Grantham Melton Mowbray Northampton

  22. Business Link in Leicestershire • Locally managed area team for existing businesses with 19 Business Support Advisers also covering skills brokerage under Train to Gain (6 in the City, 13 in the County) including ‘champion’ • Pre start and Start up part of the universal service delivered under the Business Link banner by EMB

  23. Business Link in Leicestershire ‘Local’ enquiry handlers working to a geographical adviser matrix Local information specialist to gather local knowledge Dedicated partnership function for Leicestershire

  24. Leicestershire (All districts not including Leicester City) 1st April 2008- 31st March 2009

  25. Leicestershire (All districts not including Leicester City) 1st April 2008- 31st March 2009

  26. Leicestershire (All districts not including Leicester City) 1st April 2008- 31st March 2009

  27. Leicestershire (All districts not including Leicester City) 1st April 2008- 31st March 2009 - Grant Funding

  28. Leicestershire (All districts not including Leicester City) 1st April 2008- 31st March 2009 - Grant Funding

  29. 2009-2010 regionally and locally • Land based business Service has 850 Interventions and Action Plans to complete regionally and • 30 New Enterprises to Establish regionally • Partnership working with LRP to maximise on opportunities for joint working • Working with the Solutions for Business Portfolio of Products

  30. 2009-2010 regionally and locally Reach Difficult Areas and other Groups Further training and support from Land Based Business Programme consortium partners Further Promote RDPE Further Enhancement of REBSIS to include Intermediaries

  31. Effects of Recession on Land Based Business Two types of LBB – Farming and other

  32. Farming... Benefits from weak sterling – may not last Generally strong Balance Sheet Reduced access to more costly finance to fund increasing working capital requirement Increased interest in other activities as profit declines but subject to geography, management and finance – e.g. RDPE

  33. Non Farming... May benefit from weak sterling Generally weak Balance Sheet Reduced access to more costly finance to fund increasing working capital requirement Increased interest in looking at costs and other marketing or growth initiatives

  34. Non Farming Examples Equestrian Business Horse Bedding Tourism, B&B etc Commercial office or premises Waste and recycling Water Resources Adding value – retail etc

  35. OECD Study Mission on Rural Policy in England Tony Kirk Group Manager Passenger Transport Unit (PTU)

  36. Overview • What does the Passenger Transport Unit (PTU) provide? • Role of the PTU and Bus Support Policy • Some of the rural transport interventions • Challenging perceptions • The role of information and communication • Questions

  37. Passenger Transport Unit Responsible for delivery of over £30m of transport support across Leicestershire including: • Home to school transport • Social Care transport • Management of the English National Travel Concession Scheme continued…

  38. Passenger Transport Unit • Socially necessary bus services • Accessible/Community transport • Passenger Fleet (120 vehicles, 200 drivers/escorts) • Publicity and Marketing • Passenger Transport Policy

  39. Role of the PTU • Delivering an hourly or better service, within an 800 metre walk, to 95% of Leicestershire’s residents (76% in rural areas) • For remaining residents provide essential services to work, education/training, health, shopping and where possible, leisure • Ensuring services are rural proofed • Providing services for mobility impaired residents • Ensure services are value for money

  40. Home to School Transport • Provision of transport for 20,000 students a day, many from rural areas travelling over three miles to their nearest school • Transported by contract bus, season ticket, rail and taxi.

  41. Demand Responsive Transport • Roll out and delivery of DRT – initial scepticism and anxiety amongst residents • Track record of really successful delivery • Featuring in Commission for Rural Communities and DfT Sustainable Rural Accessibility Best Practice Guidance • 2007/08 – 18,500 passenger journeys 2008/09 – 19,200 passenger journeys

  42. Rural Rider Service • Innovative approach to consultation • Consolidation of disparate services into branded service. • £70,000 savings a year with better service levels and better co-ordinated publicity • Usage up from 700 pj’s per month in 2006 to 750 per month in 2008 • Won award at UK Bus Awards 2007 ‘Bus in the Countryside’ category.

  43. Accessibility Partnership • 8 new vehicles delivered and in service • Countywide coverage in partnership with Voluntary Actions and Volunteer Centres • Difficulty engaging with partners, particularly business, but recognise the importance of this • Annual forum concluded communication and information was key

  44. Emerging 14-19 Education Agenda • Emerging agenda around access to new routes to training and qualifications for 14-19 students • Transfer of responsibilities from LSC to local authorities and impact on transport in rural areas – funding implications being assessed but no additional funding for transport in Leicestershire • 16-19 Partnership funding to improve access to schools • Walking and Cycling Team have delivered projects in Castle Donington, Guthalaxton and Countesthorpe

  45. Leicestershire Rural Partnership • Challenging perceptions whilst delivering appropriate solutions • Understanding and communicating what’s delivered is key • Evidence/proof of need essential before services are implemented continued…

  46. Leicestershire Rural Partnership • Pilot access to work/training in North West Leicestershire and Lutterworth area. • Slow take up despite extensive publicity • Working with other partners, e.g. Stephenson College, to develop project • May prove that services not needed

  47. Working with NHS on Access to Services • Partnering the NHS and Loughborough University to look at access to community hospitals countywide. A pilot project is currently being undertaken for the Loughborough and Hinckley Community Hospitals with intention of using best practice for remaining community hospitals in Leicestershire.

  48. Social Car Schemes Community Transport • Part of the solution to address rural isolation • Social car schemes and community transport to address rural accessibility and residents isolated because of mobility problems • We provide funding to VA and VC partners to help deliver 8 social car schemes and 11 accessible transport services

  49. Hourly Bus Network • Policy developed as part of a Best Value Review reporting in 2002 • The 95% hourly network fully delivered in late 2004 – service usage reviewed to assess whether network still fit for purpose. Some services returning to commerciality continued…

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