Event
Our Rural Economy After Brexit
Rural Lincolnshire has received considerable support through the European Common Agricultural Policy, bring money into our local economies. Conservative Minister Sir Michael Gove plans to withdraw funding from the farming of food in future. What do you think?
The future of farming – Group Leader’s Comment – 23 March 2018
If the money is withdrawn from the work of farming food altogether, then our farming is likely to collapse, and our dependence on foreign imports increases, with or without tariffs.
Our rural areas have received considerable support through the European Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) to keep jobs, communities and the land farmed, whilst bringing money into our local economies. There have been some excellent stewardship schemes increasing public access and a healthier, more diverse environment. However, the CAP has been largely based on land area, so larger land-owners, such as multinational pension funds, inevitably get the most. The CAP could have been tapered to benefit the smallest farmers, but as an EU fund, that would not have helped the UK. Ready for a post Brexit world, Rt Hon Michael Gove MP is now consulting on new plans.
If the money is withdrawn from the work of farming food altogether, then our farming is likely to collapse, and our dependence on foreign imports increases, with or without tariffs.
Landowners may instead be paid for their environmental improvements, which is in part at least a good idea. However, how is this strong enough for the future, when stacked up against priorities such as the NHS and reducing the national debt? In some already stretched rural areas, loss of these funds will mean they are less able than ever to cope, let alone contribute, to our country’s economic growth.
Just building houses on our green fields does not resolve the wider problems felt in rural areas. The lack of matching services and facilities means an impossible task for our already stretched councils. So who is going without a school place, a doctor’s surgery or an ambulance when they need it?
A better solution would be to support food farming that is less intensive and sustainable in the long term. Lower chemical use, and cultivating into the old crop so as not to deplete the soil is already bringing better long term yields. It works.
We have fought hard for the EU funds to be brought back to our villages and communities where they are needed. Let’s not lose that under a seemingly green agenda. DEFRA does give a rural focus but should not be isolated.
Understanding the impact of decisions on all our differing communities remains a vital part of all government decisions.
Please join in the consultation and have your say on this and on the changes proposed to the National Planning Policy Framework , the subject of a previous bulletin
Great Turnout, thanks for attending!
The LGA Independent Group Spring Conference will take place on
Friday 16 March 2018
at the Lincoln Cathedral Centre, Minster Yard, Lincoln, LN2 1PX
Can you come along?
Please RSVP to Independent.GroupLGA@local.gov.uk or by responding to this email.
Registration from 10.30am (9.30am for Lincolnshire Independents) to 4pm with a free lunch followed by a Reception in celebration of 100 years of the RAF at The Collection from 5-6pm.
There will be free behind-the-scenes access to the From The Land – Henry Moore, Ewen Henderson & Other Artists exhibition.
A reservation will be made for those who wish to stay for dinner in the Café at £15 for two courses on the set menu below, please confirm your food choices. Partners are more than welcome. Dietary requirements can be catered for, please let us know and we will be happy to arrange this with the café.
Parking If you are driving, there is car parking available uphill at The Castle Westgate, LN1 3BG, Flaxengate car park opposite The Collection LN2 1JX Or with a walk straight up the hill, choose the new spacious multi-storey as you arrive in Lincoln. Central Car Park, Melville Street, LN5 7BP Map
Trains It takes about 2hrs. 19.06 Kings Cross to Lincoln is direct, Thursday night. Return 18.18 or 19.25 via Newark on Friday or stay to Saturday. Trainline
Accommodation If you would like to stay in Lincoln to enjoy its beauty for the weekend, the Newport Guest House (26 – 28 Newport, Lincoln, LN1 3DF) has availability and comes highly recommended with prices from only £55 per room per night. To book, contact them on 01522 528 590 and mention the LGA.
Other things to do There is plenty on offer in Lincoln, including Lincoln Castle, with its £22m refurbishment and new visitor centre to house the Magna Carta, the Cathedral, recently voted the best in England and an award-winning cobbled Steep Hill for shopping, For more information about what to do in Lincoln, the Visit Lincoln website has a wealth of information.
For good value pub food, visit to the Magna Carta pub . The Magna Carta is known as the first charter to uphold the rights of the individual and the copy in Lincoln is one of only four original copies still in existence.
AGENDA
1. Registration for Lincolnshire Independent Group 9.30am
2. Lincolnshire Independent Group meeting
3. Registration and refreshments for all members 10.30am
4. Welcome and Update from the LGA Independent Group 11am
What can the LGA do for you? Councillor Marianne Overton (Leader of the LGA Independent Group) to outline key impacts of the Group.
5. Homelessness panel
Homelessness panel with Adam Osen (Founder of Eliminate Homelessness Campaign), Jasper Thompson (Help Bristol’s Homeless) and Caroline Killeavy (The NOMAD Trust) to discuss their voluntary sector work to prevent homelessness.
6. Centralising services in the NHS
Stephen Palmer (Lincolnshire Independents) to lead a discussion on the impact of centralising and privatising services in the NHS.
———————–13:00-13.30 LUNCH———————–
7. Effect of Brexit on our rural economies and agriculture
Stuart Agnew (UKIP MEP for East of England on European Parliament’s Agriculture & Rural Development Committee and UKIP’s Agriculture Spokesman), Peter Lundgren (Campaigner for a viable sustainable future for British farming) and Ian Lings (Vice Chair of the Campaign to Protect Rural England – Lincolnshire branch) to lead a discussion and present on their work around protecting rural economies and agriculture.
8. Women in Local Government and “Work in a Man’s World”
Councillor Marianne Overton to update the conference on the hard work undertaken by the Women’s Local Government Society and welcome Kirree Marinner to discuss her Work in a Man’s World.
9. Refreshments
10. Connecting with voters: Be a Councillor
A discussion lead by Professor Colin Copus (Director of the Local Government Research Unit and author of ‘In Defence of Councillors’ and ‘The Voice of The Councillor’) on connecting with voters, and an opportunity for prospective candidates to speak with members about being an Independent Councillor.
—————16:00 Move to The Collection —————-
11. Reception
A stroll down the hill to The Collection for a drinks reception from 17:00-18:00 where Nick Byatt will give a speech to commemorate 100 years of the RAF. Nick amassed a wealth of experience during 32 years RAF service in a variety of senior roles including flying, command, UK operations management, infrastructure planning, doctrine development, training course management, design and instruction.
12. Dinner
A reservation has been made for those who wish to stay on to dine at The Café at The Collection, for a set menu at £15 per person for two courses. All are welcome.
Can you come along?
Please RSVP to Independent.GroupLGA@local.gov.uk or by responding to this email.
Friday 16 March 2018 at the Lincoln Cathedral Centre, Minster Yard, Lincoln, LN2 1PX
END
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