Lords to quiz rural representatives on services, infrastructure and funding
Over two evidence sessions on Tuesday 16th October, the House of Lords Select Committee on the Rural Economy will question representatives from the Rural Services Network, Countryside Alliance and the Rural Coalition.
The Committee will explore a number of issues including what more the Government can do to support communities looking to bring back or retain access to services and local amenities; whether the rural economy is getting enough attention in the development of post-Brexit policy; and how best to tackle rural crime which cost more than £44.7 million in 2017.
The Committee will begin taking evidence at 9.45am and will question:
- The Rt Rev. the Lord Bishop of St Albans, President, Rural Coalition
- Margaret Clark CBE, Chair, Rural Coalition
- Tim Bonner, Chief Executive, Countryside Alliance
- Sarah Lee, Head of Policy, Countryside Alliance
At 10.45am the Committee will question:
- Graham Biggs MBE, Chief Executive, Rural Services Network
- David Fursdon, Lord Lieutenant of Devon
The evidence session will be held in Committee room 1 in the House of Lords. Questions the Committee are likely to ask include:
- What principles should underpin the UK Shared Prosperity Fund? What would make the SPF effective for rural areas? How might funding from the SPF be best allocated?
- How would you rate the work of Local Enterprise Partnerships? Do you think proposals for change put forward in the recent LEP review will meet rural needs?
- What role does the voluntary and community sector play in delivery of rural services?
- Is enough being done to ensure that rural areas are not left behind with the Government's strategy on extending full fibre broadband and creating 5G mobile networks?
