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Rural Pathfinder:Hampshire Fact FileEssentially the choice of Hampshire has been made on the likely capacity of the pathfinder area to ‘think through’ how to make local delivery more effective and develop solutions to the problems and inefficiencies that arise. Hampshire has demonstrated that they can co-ordinate across a range of partners and are able to test practical options. The county of Hampshire is a large rural county, set within an economically vibrant and pressured region. The quality of life and economic performance of local communities are intrinsically linked with rural areas. The County Council has a long history of acting within its statutory framework and at its discretion in support of rural areas. Hampshire has a proven track record in innovative leadership in connected areas and programmes. They have looked at a range of generic issues such as urban fringe: rural planning: rural tourism: protected landscapes: housing: whole farm planning: public procurement: local food and the rural economy. They have the instincts and track record to develop and strengthen sub- regional partnerships and they have the full respect of Government Office South East (GOSE), South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) and South East England Rural Assembly (SEERA) for their strategic approach. Hampshire is committed to Local Public Service Agreement 2 and making it work. They have included a range of connecting rural aims in their LPSA2 submission. The county has high capacity and real willingness to make the local delivery pathfinder work. It has a track record of successful partnership delivery. It faces many of the issues typical of rural areas in the South East. To the south of the county are the neighbourhood renewal areas of Southampton and Portsmouth and on the northern fringe sits the Thames valley affluence. These two fringe aspects will add an important test to the pathfinder and enable valuable read across for the rest of the region. Pathfinder Reaction The Leader and Chief Executive of Hampshire have confirmed the County Council’s commitment to work with DEFRA and GOSE to explore opportunities for providing effective and efficient rural services close to consumers and an Assistant Director has already been assigned to the task. Hampshire County Council have already stated that they will work with districts and Community Action Hampshire to explore the opportunities provided by the rural pathfinder approach. They have been carrying out informal canvassing amongst partners and the Chief Executive of New Forest District Council (an indicator district), for example, has welcomed the opportunity of working with the county on this initiative. Other organisations who have already pledged their commitment include the Committee for Rural Hampshire, the National Farmers’ Union, the Country Land and Business Association and the Trust Hampshire Country Learning. Source: www.defra.gov.uk |
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