Summary of consultation responses

Supporting Hampshire’s Rural Communities: Developing A Rural Delivery Strategy For Hampshire County Council
September 2008

This paper summarises the responses received from nearly 70 organisations and individuals. These responses are best looked at in conjunction with the consultation paper, which is available at www.hants.gov.uk/rural. The questions asked in the consultation are shown in bold, preceded by a code e.g. FF4.

The County Council is very appreciative of the time and thought given by respondents, and the enormous number of helpful suggestions that were made. We have analysed these responses, and senior managers in the County Council, led by the Executive Member for Rural Affairs Councillor Dr Ray Ellis, are working to take as many of these forward as possible.
Further information on our initial action plans.

Communities, Leisure and Culture

Summary

1. Overall conclusions
Generally supportive of all that HCC is doing currently and also what we are suggesting could be our new initiatives and opportunities. Agreement that HCC should be supporting communities to build their own capacity and not significantly increasing our direct delivery.

2. Specific actions
Expand ‘Hog The Limelight’, more funding for Community Buildings Fund, investigate possible benefits of procurement of utilities and other supplies to community building trustees.

3. Significant omissions
Detailed reference to services for young people.

4. New issues
None

5. Cross-cutting approach
Improved co-operation in the 3 tiers of local government [parish, district and county.

Better publicity and ‘sign-posting’ to activities, events and services.

Using Parish Plans to identify what is already needed or in progress to avoid duplication.

If a toolkit is devised then Transport would be a key ‘cross-cutting’ link.

Affordable housing is key.

6. Relevant actions
The idea of a Rural Toolkit was well received and seen as an ideal way of sharing good practice and building local capacity.

The toolkit could introduce a series of ideas to a rural community, many of which they will be aware, and which are often available in their community. However, communities may be keen to pick up on some of the new ideas and learn how other communities have successfully adopted them for the benefit of their community.

Expansion of programmes like Hog and the Community Buildings Fund will be dependent on available resources.

RCL 1 What do you think the role of Hampshire County Council should be in delivering and in supporting access to culture and leisure opportunities in rural areas?

Generally responses favoured a capacity building role which supported local rural communities to achieve their own outcomes. Few expected an increase in direct delivery by the county council.

‘Hog The Limelight’ was cited frequently as a model of good practice which had the added benefit of raising funds locally at individual events. Many requested an extension to the programme in terms of both frequency and content. Suggestions included more short courses, film and the possibility of creating touring exhibitions/activities. The need to provide more activities for young people was strong in a number of responses, with Hog The Limelight seen as an opportunity to meet this need.

With many rural communities having a primary school the potential to exploit Extended Services provision was raised.

Access to services could be improved by more coordinated publicity. This was seen as a role for councils, which could better sign-post users, as local information tended to be limited to provision in the immediate vicinity.

Suggested that urban hubs such as Arts providers could be invested in to assist rural areas through outreach work. Another example of taking services out to rural communities.

Strong support for the county council to use its countywide remit to share good practice. This was linked to the idea of a culture toolkit.

RCL 2 What value do you think local community buildings have for quality of life in rural communities?

These buildings are seen as vital hubs in rural communities. They create the pivotal base that a community needs if it is to focus on local activities and events that bring residents together and strengthen communities. “An effective community needs a building base”.

Vital that they are adequately equipped and kept up to date.

Suggested that church facilities are often available and could be used in some communities.

Crucial point made that, without a body of volunteers to run the facilities, no programme can exist. This is seen as part of the capacity building role of councils and other agencies.

RCL 3 What can Hampshire County Council and its partners do to help maintain and improve community building infrastructure and use in rural areas?

Overwhelming support for the current capital grant funding scheme, and communities would like more match funding where possible.

Again, the sharing of good practice was cited in the areas of green audits of buildings, procurement of utilities and other supplies, regulation, trustee support and the running of activity programmes.

Suggested that Children’s Centres and ICT could be located in community buildings.

RCL 4 What is your view of the value of the cultural, leisure and community services that the county council currently provides and your view of the proposed future developments?

In terms of the value all responses were very positive.

Clear message that the county council should be building local capacity to deliver new and expanded activity programmes. Need to cover the young and the old as they tend not to feature strongly at the moment.

All three tiers of local government need to work together to build capacity and unlock the potential in rural communities.

The featured new initiatives and opportunities were seen very positively and many respondees were keen to access the services on offer.

A lot of interest in the idea of a Rural Toolkit.

Affordable housing
In light of the Taylor Review, need to consider what can be done to link affordable housing provision with employment opportunities to contribute to the economic vibrancy of Hampshire villages.

The need for and delivery of affordable housing should be integrated closely with other rural issues and with other service provision.

The impact of unaffordable house prices on younger people should also be linked with the rural economy, and the consequences fully explained.

By enabling local people to remain or return to their community, they are able to maintain their social and support networks; a more socially mixed community is retained; which in turn supports a greater range of amenities and employment.

The provision of affordable housing in rural communities enables vulnerable people to remain living in the community where they have informal support and care networks.

The provision of affordable housing can be particularly important for families living in villages with few children, as it enables local families to remain in the village, to support the local school, and to retain a social support network.

Some affordable housing solutions to the problem of local people finding it difficult to find a job or a home are live/work units, and flexible housing with more office space.

Well designed housing, both affordable and open-market is essential to maintain the quality of the built environment.

Affordable housing in small pockets for villages to encourage young people to remain in their locality.

Affordable housing should not be delayed or conditioned by the need to provide or prove an employment link, Affordable housing is key to developing sustainable communities, adding to the resilience of rural communities.

Transport & Accessibility

Summary

1. What are the overall conclusions about the actions HCC and its partners are taking or should be taking?

The Transport and Access consultation responses are varied in nature. About half of the respondents addressed the three specific Transport and Access questions posed in the consultation document, whilst others have taken the opportunity to comment on local issues. Note has been made of any individual local issues raised and these have been passed on to relevant officers.

The responses, in general, show agreement with the issues that were discussed in the Transport and Access chapter. In addition, the overriding view is that the County is taking the most appropriate action in dealing with the issues that impact on rural areas, which themselves are acknowledged by respondents as not being easy to tackle.

It is encouraging to note that the rural transport pilots (listed below) are seeking to tackle a number of the issues raised in responses:

• Car free tourism in Lyndhurst – seeking to address travel barriers and reduce congestion for weekend visitors to Lyndhurst.
• Brokerage scheme in Test Valley, aiming to ensure residents are aware of and able to access local retail at least once a week, make journeys to their local surgery or health centre and travel to the hospitals at Andover and Winchester.
• Coordination pilot in East Hants: Improving the utilisation and efficiency of the existing non public transport resources in East Hampshire. Longer term this could increase the capacity for additional journey opportunities.
• Community based information – Winchester: This pilot will promote those services that are available locally, those which are brought to the community, and those transport services which are available to take people to services beyond that community.
• Wheels to Work, which provides subsidised transport to help young people access training and employment appointments.

There was recognition that transport services are not, in isolation, the answer to access issues in rural areas. There was a strong sense that rural residents want services available locally and are open to innovative solutions, in recognition of the increased costs associated with, and comparative low use of, services delivered in rural areas. Locally available services are seen as having wider benefits for rural communities.

Respondents understood that the issues cannot be resolved by Hampshire County Council in isolation, with partnerships seen as essential to the delivery of services locally.

It is important to note that there was no disagreement with the approach that the County has adopted, nor was there any disagreement with any interventions introduced by the County in rural areas.

2. Do the responses identify any specific actions that the county council should be taking?

TA1 Do you think that the accessibility planning approach Hampshire County Council is taking to combat rural accessibility issues is the best approach?

Using accessibility planning tools to highlight areas of greatest need in terms of access to services and public / community transport availability was seen as a pragmatic approach.

A number of responses highlighted issues with the rural bus network, mainly with regards to a perceived inadequacy of frequency of service. However, it was recognised that conventional public transport is not always appropriate in rural areas.

The innovative approaches to public transport that the County Council has introduced in rural areas were accepted as the way forward, although it was noted by some that improved understanding of user needs is required to improve the attractiveness of services.

TA2 How can we reach rural households more effectively with the information on travel that the County Council produces

This generated the most responses. Innovative suggestions included: educating children how to read timetables, promoting services through social networks – Facebook, Bebo etc. Some suggested using parish councils in the promotion of transport services.

A number of comments were made about transport and access for young people. This related to providing young rural people with ‘things to do’ and getting them to attractions in higher order settlements. Comments also related to enhancing opportunities for young people to access work. The “Wheels to Work” scheme tackles this latter issue and is in the process of being expanded.

TA3 Where and how do you think the County Council should target its resources in responding to rural accessibility issues.

Consultation responses made a number of suggestions with regards to where the County should target its resources. Whilst there were a range of suggestions made, few suggestions exhibited wide support. Some suggestions may be worth exploring further; others, whilst good ideas, are likely to be impractical given the likely cost and did not enjoy wide support.

Suggestions that we feel have the potential to be taken further are:

• Encourage fares to be stated on timetables. HCC comment: This is reliant on bus operators’ cooperation.
• Better data on the transport modes used by rural residents in a particular settlement to assist appropriate needs analysis and appropriate solutions. HCC comment: To be investigated.
• The importance of cross-ticketing for public transport. HCC comment: This is very much dependent on the commercial operators. The Solent Travel card is already working along these lines.
• A more personalised form of transport service delivery such as tokens or vouchers, targeted at those in need, to provide freedom to choose the transport that is appropriate to them. HCC comment: Such schemes are already delivered through some District Councils as part of their concessionary travel arrangements. In addition, the County’s own Personalisation Commission is considering such options.
• Management of recreational / visitor trips to rural areas. HCC comment: The Lyndhurst Links scheme is an example of work that the County is pursuing to ease the impact of visitors on rural areas. Parking policies of district councils and of key attractions will also be important.

Two respondents made reference to the potential of railways in rural areas. HCC comment: The re-opening of railways would require significant capital expenditure and it is unlikely that the conditions are right at this time for the re-opening of redundant rural railways. However, the County Council has already shown support for the Three Rivers Community Rail Partnership in the west of the county and the Lymington to Brockenhurst Community Rail Line in the New Forest, and will continue to support such measures where finances allow and where there is a proven local demand.

3. Do the responses identify any significant omissions from the draft Rural Delivery Strategy?

All issues raised by respondents matched those set out in the Transport and Access chapter of the consultation document. This is encouraging, with there being no significant issues raised with regards to Transport and Access in rural areas that the County Council is not already working to address.

4. Do the responses raise any new issues in relation to the themes covered?

Not with regards to Transport and Access.

5. Are there actions that require a strengthened cross-cutting approach within the county council or with partners?

A number of comments were made about the options for young people. This related to providing “things to do” for young people and providing transport opportunities to centres of attraction. Comments also related to enhancing opportunities for young people accessing work. The Wheels to Work scheme tackles this latter issue and is in the process of being expanded.

6. On the basis of these responses, what actions would you identify as relevant to your work area/programme?

The innovative approaches that the County Council is introducing in rural areas were supported. The County Council should, therefore, continue seeking innovative approaches that provide value for money. However, in doing so, the Council should gain an improved understanding of user needs of these services so that they better fit with the level of service required by rural residents.

A number of ways of promoting transport services were highlighted. These will be taken on board as the Council seeks to target markets effectively.

The accessibility planning approach highlighting areas and groups of greatest need is supported as an appropriate approach. Existing tools should continue to be used to highlight and prioritise areas and groups for interventions, and new tools that improve our understanding of the issues should be embraced. Following on from this, the needs of young people were highlighted by respondents as a priority group for attention. Working across County Council departments and working with partners to address the issues and introduce solutions should continue to be pursued.

Adult Social Care

Summary

1. What are the overall conclusions about the actions HCC and its partners are taking or should be taking?

Responses to the questions on adult social care were relatively brief, compared with many other topic areas in the consultation. Those who did respond understood the range of challenges faced by the Adult Services department. Key themes from responses were:

• The importance of tailored, effective communication via parish councils and other very local-level organisations/media, including making use of more sophisticated direct marketing techniques.
• The crucial role of the voluntary sector in helping with rural service delivery.
• Services must be preventative as well as responding in crisis.
• More flexible service delivery models, e.g. like mobile libraries, should be considered for rural areas.
• Responses across agencies need to be better coordinated to reduce duplication of effort and to ensure good services – but this applies equally to urban areas.
• The Rural Strategy needs to link in with other strategies – the Older People’s Wellbeing Strategy was cited as being strong on rural issues.
• Recognition that rural isolation is a major issue affecting health and wellbeing for vulnerable people.
• The importance of technology, e.g. Broadband, in both enabling people to access information and also in service delivery, although of course face to face and written communications will remain essential.

2. Do the responses identify any specific actions that the county council should be taking?

The majority of responses chime with the Department’s direction of travel towards achieving more personalised adult social care services for all, following the Leader’s Commission on Personalisation and the work currently being undertaken on an Action Plan to deliver the Hampshire Model of Personalisation. This is set out in the Commission’s report, launched on 27 November 2008.

There is certainly scope to look, across all County Council services, at more sophisticated targeting of information to relevant parts of the population and to use more local channels and facilities for communicating about, and delivering, services.

Departments, including Adult Services, are already starting to make greater use of tools such as Mosaic to better understand population characteristics to aid communication and service design, and these types of market-research tools could be helpfully utilised to assist in how we respond specifically to rural service issues.

1. Do the responses identify any significant omissions from the draft Rural Delivery Strategy?

Not in relation to adult social care.

2. Do the responses raise any new issues in relation to the themes covered?

No, but the feedback particularly around the importance of the voluntary sector, and communication channels at local level is helpful and will be shared with other colleagues in Adult Services.

3. Are there actions that require a strengthened cross-cutting approach within the county council or with partners?

Consultation responses recognised the importance of working better across all partners, especially with health, and the different tiers of local government – since rural communities interact with parish, district and county level structures, and there are always ways in which those linkages could be improved.

4. On the basis of these responses, what actions would you identify as relevant to your work area/programme?

Capacity building support to local communities, especially through the voluntary and community sector (VCS). We already work very closely with the VCS, and have a significant VCS grants programme, but there may be other ways in which we can encourage volunteering, and nurture and provide support to local voluntary groups. This may not necessarily be about providing money but about other kinds of support and encouragement, particularly to maintain momentum and negotiate through bureaucracy which can put people off involvement in voluntary activities.

Messages around planning communication and ensuring information and advice are readily available through the most appropriate mechanisms for rural areas. Work is currently underway on a new Communications Strategy for adult services, building on existing activity and some of the new ways of communicating with the public, which were utilised in publicising the Personalisation Commission (which included starting to link more closely with parishes). We are, for example, now beginning to work more closely with parish councils on Community Access Points. The feedback from the Rural Strategy consultation has already been shared with the Customer Care and Communications Manager to include in her evidence gathering for our communications review.

Below is a summary of the issues raised in responses to adult social care questions:

ASC1. How can more personalised care be delivered in rural communities?

• Need new more flexible approach and move away from medical model.
• More local recruitment of carers – needs fresh approach and greater use of local knowledge about who needs help.
• Need to articulate better what difference this rural strategy will make.
• The problem with volunteer care groups is that they can lose their way when a key leader moves away – need a ‘care group champion’ to encourage resilient sustainable groups.
• Need more personnel in social care – but recognise it’s not easy.
• Provide better rates for drivers to transport social care users. More day care places for bathing/chiropody/general wellbeing.
• Not enough support for carers.
• Keep Day Centres open.
• Don’t just intervene at critical/substantial eligibility criteria stage.
• Communal meeting point for support groups is imperative.
• Response across agencies should be better coordinated, whether we are talking about rural or urban locations.
• Importance of ‘Lifetime Homes’ so vulnerable people can remain in their community, e.g. HARAH working through Hyde Housing Association on this.
• Would like ‘shared care plans’ between families, GPs, health and council.
• Spend more in rural areas – if 23% live in rural areas, we should spend more than 21% of the budget there because services/transport etc more expensive in rural areas…
• Older People’s Wellbeing Strategy is strong on rural issues – need to make sure the Rural Delivery Strategy links with this (and other relevant strategies)
• Take services out to where people are rather than concentrating them in urban areas, e.g. apply the ‘mobile library’ approach in social care?
• Need closer liaison with Parish Councils who will have a better idea of people’s needs; also need more and better trained Social Workers.
• More joint, communal facilities are better value than increasing volume of 1 to 1 services (this referred to NHS spend not HCC).
• Volunteers are actively discouraged by legislative requirements including liability insurance and CRB checks – anything to alleviate this burden and costs would be welcome.
• Work more closely with rural doctors to ensure early interventions and save money in the long run.
• Loss of local facilities makes life difficult – eg lack of local rural pharmacies/dispensing in GP surgeries.
• ICT will play increasing role in health and social care interventions e.g. finding information, e-health – may be harder in some rural areas where broadband is poor.
• Concern re impact of poor public transport for vulnerable people to access services/opportunities.
• Make more use of Neighbourhood Centres (e.g. in Hook) and extend this to more areas (e.g. Yateley, Blackwater Valley mentioned) to deliver services in rural parishes.
• Give more support to local volunteer groups, e.g. building capacity, encouraging new groups – but it doesn’t have to be by giving money.
• Various good initiatives are mentioned, but responsibility should not fall on the individual to navigate their way round different schemes.
• More needs to be done to integrate young people with older people.
• Services should be rural proofed.
• Future Joint Strategic Needs Assesments should actively seek views and experiences of rural communities and service users.
• Could local groups/parish councils be involved in rural provision of telecare?
• Self-assessment and support planning process should be monitored for urban/rural differences.
• Explore the potential for more community and social enterprises.
• Community-led planning techniques could be deployed to address issues of social care.
• e.VOLve provides a valuable resource for information on voluntary and community organisations.
• More needs to be done to develop family and community involvement in personal care, eg affordable housing to keep young people in the area.
• Wellbeing provision is as important as essential care. Provide activities in hubs – healthy walking, dramobility, and hydrotherapy.
• Improve methods of identifying need and individuals.
• Bring back some form of interim step between leaving hospital and returning home.

ASC2. How can we reach rural households more effectively with information and advice on adult social care services?

• Use parish councils.
• Parish magazines and notices in village shops.
• Better promotion e.g. fridge magnets.
• Post offices, bus shelters, notice boards and local shops.
• Regular features in local radio and TV e.g. like BBC’s Farming Today programme.
• Tackle it directly, e.g. leafleting for elderly in social housing, send out one clear phone number with council tax bills.
• Work with Passenger Transport to lay on buses for day care.
• Rural isolation is a killer.
• Parish newsletters.
• Leaflets in GPs, libraries, Citizens Advice Bureau etc.
• Parish magazines and parish reports.
• Hampshire Now – Older People’s edition.
• Parish magazines.
• Use ‘excellent’ Hampshire Now; also use targeted mailshots, GPs, hospitals etc.
• Greater liaison with VCS, RSLs, CAB outreach, district revenue services – to identify need and get information out.
• Door to door communication through community groups and parish councils.
• Need for better broadband etc in some rural areas to access info online.
• More coordination to use district and other partners’ channels – both physical and electronic channels.
• Use district newsletters.
• GP surgeries.

The rural economy

Summary

1. What are the overall conclusions about the actions HCC and its partners are taking or should be taking?

Responses to the actions undertaken by Hampshire County Council to support the rural economy are positive, and there is general support for the range of business support projects undertaken by Hampshire County Council.

The key issues in the rural economy for respondents appear to be:

• the lack of an effective broadband infrastructure in rural areas.
• the need for more flexible planning policies for business.
• skills and training opportunities to support rural and land-based industries .
• diminishing services in both villages and market towns.
• the current economic downturn impact on small rural businesses, particularly in accessing finance.

However, many responses suggest that we could be doing a lot more to address these issues, and respondents have identified many further specific actions that the Council should be taking.

2. Do the responses identify any specific actions that the county council should be taking?

Broadband

• Hampshire County Council should see the provision of fast Broadband connections as a top priority.
• It should be prepared to invest more resources into the provision of ICT in rural areas.
• Hampshire County Council should facilitate a more co-ordinated approach between potential Broadband suppliers and local authorities.
• The Council should facilitate access by rural residents to all on-line community information, either via home connections or public internet access points.
• HCC should support the development of Internet cafes and IT drop-in centres in rural communities.
• A more collaborative approach should be taken by Hampshire County Council and local authorities to promote new rural enterprises based on home working.

More Flexible Planning Approach to Rural Businesses

• Hampshire County Council should promote flexible planning approaches, particular in relation to farm diversification, and to allow small-scale commercial operations in rural communities. The recent report and its recommendations in relation to rural workspace by Matthew Taylor, “Living, Working Countryside” was used as a reference by many respondees.
• The Council should encourage the provision of workspace adjacent to every settlement by working with land-owners and local authorities.
• It was suggested that Hampshire County Council could make some of its unused office space available for rural economy initiatives?
• Hampshire County Council could encourage those recently unemployed to start up businesses in rural areas.

Skills and Training opportunities to support rural and land-based industries

• Hampshire County Council should encourage and support rural businesses to offer career opportunities and apprenticeships to young people and the recently unemployed.
• More value needs to be placed on careers in the rural and land-based sector, historically very low-paid.

Increased support for rural businesses

• Hampshire County Council should support a reduction in business rates for small businesses and new start-ups.
• The Council needs to give more emphasis to the benefits of rural tourism, particularly the role of market towns and villages.
• Businesses should be encouraged to be more environmentally sustainable and resilient to climate change.
• More support should be given to existing and start-up micro businesses in the form of advice and business clinics and seminars.
• Hampshire County Council should encourage better communication and collaboration between the various business support agencies and forums.
• Village shops, post offices and pubs were seen a essential rural services both as rural businesses and community hubs, and also as meeting places. They need to be more actively supported by Hampshire County Council with the development of the grant scheme and the development of other innovative schemes to support them.

3. Do the responses identify any significant omissions from the draft Rural Delivery Strategy?

• Equestrian and Horticulture sectors are not included in the rural economy section; Hampshire County Council needs to appreciate the value of these sectors to the rural economy and identify ways it can support them.
• The LAA does not appear to reflect the rural priorities that are identified in the Strategy.

4. Do the responses raise any new issues in relation to the themes covered?

• No new issues.

5. Are there actions that require a strengthened cross-cutting approach within the county council or with partners?

The importance of the development of Broadband in rural areas is highlighted in many responses. Rural areas are disadvantaged in the increasingly connected global economy without access to high speed broadband. A cross-cutting and more strategic approach should be adopted by Hampshire County Council in this area, as ICT can play a vital role in the support of rural communities including healthcare, accessibility to services, tackling social exclusion, education and training, leisure, etc. The e-Hampshire project could be expanded to incorporate involvement with Hampshire County Council departments and other external agencies involved in rural communities.

6. On the basis of these responses, what actions would you identify as relevant to your work area/programme?

• Expansion of the Market Town and Village Shop schemes to increase Hampshire County Council’s support for essential rural services and businesses.
• Skills and Training – Hampshire County Council and its partners need to ensure that the Hampshire Employment Strategy develops a rural perspective as one of the themes, and looks at the particular issues for land-based industries.
• Broadband Development (as in 5).
• Increased business support and business development in rural areas, particularly in the current economic climate.

Farming, Food and Forestry

The questions we asked:

FF1 In terms of the proposals for farming in Hampshire are there any other key issues we should be considering?

FF2 With many developing countries experiencing serious food shortages, should Hampshire County Council actively support farmers switching from production of crops to energy?

FF3 What are your views about the County Council’s approach to supporting farming, food production and forestry in Hampshire?

FF4 Are these future actions on the right track?

FF5 What further actions could Hampshire County Council undertake with its partners?

Summary

1. What are the overall conclusions about the actions HCC and its partners are taking or should be taking?

• Without exception, the responses indicate appreciation and strong support for Hampshire County Council’s exemplar practices to support farming and the local food economy, through its support of Hampshire Fare and Hampshire Farmers’ Markets.
• There is very strong support for the County Farm Estate. Using the County Farms as a test bed for developing and measuring new ideas such as biomass production is supported.
• Strong support was expressed for the management of woodland for fuel. This provides a renewable energy resource, generates income for the owner, and benefits wildlife, where it is undertaken sensitively.
• There is general approval from the respondees for the Council’s current and planned actions for the future to support farming, food production and forestry as outlined in the Strategy.

2. Do the responses identify any specific actions that the county council should be taking?

• The County Council has a vital role in facilitating communications between the various agencies, farmers and residents who have a stake in our rural communities and their industries.
• Hampshire County Council needs to monitor the work of Defra to determine the national self-sufficiency of food.
• Hampshire County Council should employ a farming officer (this could be linked into the review being undertaken by County Farms) and more woodlands officers.
• Overall there is a need expressed by respondents for the Council to act as the primary driver behind things such as biomass, anaerobic digestion, local food centre for tenants’ products etc. i.e. ‘project drive’ as well as ‘policy direction’.
• There needs to be a recognition of the balance between environmental landscape and farmed landscape needs; there also needs to be an understanding of carbon management in the industry, led possibly by HCC.
• More support should be given to organic and value-added food e.g. rare breeds, etc.
• More support should be given by Hampshire County Council to increase and expand Farmers’ Markets, and investigate the possibility of permanent outlets for local food in market towns.
• More emphasis should be given to the opportunities from wood fuels, particularly through small scale renewable energy/heat projects.
• Farming is a vital part of Hampshire’s economy but Hampshire County Council should consider the full range of environmental and ecological services that farming can deliver in addition to food, i.e. landscape, clean water, wildlife conservation, etc.
• There should be more support for rural craft businesses.
• The County Council has an important role in bringing new entrants to farming through the County Farm Estate, linking to private landowners as a means of moving on for County Farms tenants.
• Local food should feature more prominently in the Council’s tourism strategy.
• Hampshire County Council should encourage the production in Hampshire of second and third generation bio-fuels i.e. wood, grasses which achieve a higher yield of transport fuel than grain or oilseed rape. Hampshire County Council should also encourage the Government to introduce a Renewable Heat Obligation.
• We should encourage Defra to maintain more thorough checks on animal movements and tackle the increase of illegal foodstuffs entering the County.
• Hampshire County Council's own woodlands should be exploited as a renewable energy resource. HCC is encouraged to make use of wood fuel for heating its own buildings. HCC is encouraged to employ a woodland officer to provide the necessary expert advice. HCC should engage with the twice yearly Woodland Forum.
• Through planning guidance and other mechanisms, promote the use of local timber in building. Support should be given to SMEs who are developing the wood fuel market. HCC should support the introduction by Government of a Renewable Fuel Obligation.
• Woodland management schemes should promote their use for public access.
• Partnership working is critical to the achievement of ambitions for the effective and sustainable management of woodlands.
• Hampshire County Council should champion farming by co-ordinating all advice to farmers by putting on one single web site.
• The Council should employ a farming officer and more woodland officers.
• Hampshire County Council needs to recognise the role that the Sustainable Food and Farming Strategy plays in encouraging best practice between farmers and growers.
• Hampshire County Council needs to recognise the need to reconnect farmers with the supply chain, wholesalers, retailers and consumers.
• Hampshire County Council should lobby government to ensure agri-environment schemes continue.
• The Council needs to work with NFU to lobby supermarkets to retail local milk.
• Hampshire County Council needs to offer more help to farmers in the battle against animal diseases.

3. Do the responses identify any significant omissions from the draft Rural Delivery Strategy?

• No real thinking about the implications of the New Forest National Park and South Downs designations.
• It was picked up in the responses to the Rural Economy section that no specific references were made to the horticulture or equestrian sectors. This will be addressed in the Rural Economy Action plan.

4. Do the responses raise any new issues in relation to the themes covered?

• There were no new issues affecting farming and forestry in the county that were raised in the responses.

5. Are there actions that require a strengthened cross-cutting approach within the county council or with partners?

• There needs to be a more proactive policy support to farming and forestry as a key economic sector. The Council needs to acknowledge that the county’s “ rurality” is defined by whether or not the land is in commercial agriculture, horticulture or forestry. The high quality landcape is dependent on the continuity of extensive farming systems.

6. On the basis of these responses, what actions would you identify as relevant to your work area/programme?

All actions as outlined above relating to the development of the local food economy and the development of a more proactive policy support to farming, forestry and horticulture by HCC.

THE ENVIRONMENT

General comments

• Well-designed housing, both affordable and open-market, is essential to maintain the quality of the rural built environment.
• The Hampshire Alliance for Rural Affordable Housing would like to link with HCC on the delivery of training to planners on ‘building sustainable communities’ through the ‘Hampshire and Isle of Wight Planning Officers Group’.
• Hampshire County Council’s role in relation to access, environmental management and town and village enhancements is valued, but requires greater investment.
• Practical work and investment in action on the ground is more important than developing strategies or discussion fora.
• Protected landscapes should have a higher profile in the strategy.
• More help should be given to small businesses with recycling, which currently places a high financial burden on them.
• Countryside Access Plans are welcomed, but there should be a better level of investment in access.
• HCC should procure locally and set an example for greater sustainability.
• The benefits to health of access to a high quality environment should be promoted in the strategy.

ENV 1 Does the County Council have a balanced approach in terms of both environmental protection and the need to sustain the economic vitality of rural areas?

• There is generally a high level of support for the County Council's approach to the environment in the Rural Delivery Strategy. The balance between different aspects was generally thought to be reasonable.
• Where respondents did not regard HCC as striking a balance, this was generally related to the weakness of the corporate aim and objectives relating to environment, and the apparent greater emphasis on economic prosperity and development.
• The relationship between a strong economy and a high quality environment was recognised.
• The principle of environmental improvement and quality of place enhancement programmes was supported.
• HCC should do more to promote a better understanding of farming as the provider of a high quality environment.
• Financial investment in the management of HCC assets, and to support those engaged in environmental management, is needed if the aim is to translate into action.
• A comprehensive approach to area management is needed (for example in the Avon Valley, taking account of the river, the meadows and minerals sites).
• Concern was expressed about the impact of mineral workings on the landscape.

ENV 2 Are there any other opportunities which we have not considered for promoting investment in the long term management of the built and natural environment?

• Management of the highway should be addressed as an environmental issue.
• The pilot on shared space in West Meon was welcomed, but lack of investment is a hindrance to progress.
• The local rural rail network presents opportunities for sustainable tourism and for communities.
• Opportunities should be found to work with major landowners.
• Better promotion and support is needed for green businesses and tourism.
• Recognise the potential for re-use of historic buildings.
• Make use of developer contributions to fund landscape scale restoration.
• HCC could contribute to the Wildlife Trust Flagship Living Landscape Schemes which will create multi-functional areas for habitat and species benefits and demonstrate a range of ecosystem services.
• Focus groups can be an effective way of developing new and innovative ideas, particularly with funding more restricted.
• Support awards for innovation.
• The services on offer from HCC require better promotion.
• HCC has an influencing role in helping to secure and target European funding for farming and environmental management.
• The LAA should include reference to National Indicator 197 (improved local biodiversity).
• It is important that elected members at all levels of local government are kept up to date with developments. HCC has an important role in delivering training.
• HCC should think about the very small, local businesses, and not just the attraction of major employers when discussing the importance of the environment to the socio-economic strength of the County.
• The importance of partnerships, with the voluntary sector and with the protected landscapes (National Parks and AONBs), is vital to achieving the Council’s aims.
• It is important to engage with local people about the future of their local environment.
• The highway environment is an important component of the countryside and should be managed accordingly.
• HCC should support large-scale landscape and habitat restoration projects that fall outside government Environmental Stewardship funding.
• HCC (and other organisations) have duties under the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 relating to the natural environment. These should be made more explicit.
• HCC should set itself challenging targets for the management of its own SINCs.

ENV 3 Is the County Council targeting the most effective activities to achieve the three green infrastructure initiatives?

• HCC needs to invest in the planning and management of Green Infrastructure (GI).
• There needs to be clarity between ‘GI’ which is a part of the urban context, and ‘the countryside’ which relates to the rest of rural Hampshire. The two should not become confused.
• GI needs to be related to other themes in the strategy.
• The difficulty of managing the urban fringe as part of the GI resource should be recognised.
• The River Hamble and other waterways need to be recognised as an important contributor to the GI resource.
• GI as a concept needs to be more widely promoted.
• GI is critical in responding to the impacts of climate change.
• Trees and woodland are an important component of GI, and their planting and management should be highlighted.
• GI should also be about public transport and sustainable access. It is essential to create the links between GI and sustainable transport as part of the aim of reducing carbon emissions.
• GI provides an opportunity for large-scale landscape and habitat restoration which falls outside government Environmental Stewardship funding.
• The green infrastructure issue is a crucial element of focus for the future.
• The approach being adopted in South Hampshire also needs to apply in the north of the county.
• The HCC farm estate may well have a role in showing the way through demonstration projects.
• Commercially managed horticulture is being ignored.
• Urban fringe farming has particular problems that need to be addressed.

ENV 4 Have we identified the key impacts of climate change on rural Hampshire and if not, what is missing?

• Climate change should have a higher profile in the strategy.
• HCC should be taking a stronger role in relation to climate change in the strategy, particularly in relation to the coast, nature conservation and designated landscapes.
• Generally, the issue of climate change needs to thread through the document as well as be a theme in its own right.
• The need to think about renewable energy is relevant to other themes, for example under farming and forestry.
• It will be important to address wind energy as part of renewable energies, but the potential impacts on the landscape are very high.
• There is limited support for the growing of crops for biofuels and the impact that this may have on food production.
• There is support for developing an evidence base for understanding the effects of climate change mitigation and adaptation.
• Higher temperatures also offer opportunities for farmers, not just problems.
• It may be appropriate to use sustainable urban drainage systems to reduce water run-off. HCC currently will not adopt roads that act as SUDS. This should be reviewed.
• HCC should support local communities who are seeking to reduce their carbon footprint or take other positive action in relation to climate change.
• Need to take account of the impact of a changing climate on water quality.
• HCC should work across boundaries with adjoining authorities.
• HCC should work with the Farm Energy Project to develop initiatives to promote rural energy.
• Support should be given for anaerobic digestion as an energy source.