KENT ASSOCIATION OF LOCAL COUNCILS

Rural Conference:

An inaugural event for Local Councils exploring key challenges and opportunities for communities in the Rural environment

A KALC Conference: Thursday 9th March

East Malling Research Centre

The new KALC Learning and Development Programme is now well established with numerous modular courses and a regular pattern of themed conferences along with additional bi-annual events having been successfully delivered. The remaining commitment is to provide bespoke events which reflect changes in governance and this includes the engagement with new legislation and trends.

Despite fears of over development and urbanization Kent remains a county dominated by its rural environment and heritage. Kent has a land area of some 350,000 ha (1,350sq miles) of which 85% (302,327 hectares, 1,200 sq. miles) is defined as rural. Kent’s rural area is 19% of the rural area of the South East and 3% of rural England.

Consequently, we are delighted to offer this inaugural event for member councils that are assessing the demands and opportunities offered by an evolving rural agenda. The aim of the conference is to put delegates into a position where they can support their council to develop a strategy to engage with the problems generated by the rural environment: isolation, transport challenges and economic issues like threats to local amenities from shops to pubs and failures around the environment and enforcement.

However, it’s certainly not all bad news for those Local Councils that are rural or have issues that stem from their proximity to the countryside. In many cases, rural Local Councils display greater imagination in engagement and problem solving. The Wittersham (Ashford) clusterand its innovative caretaker scheme is a good example of relatively small Local Councils working together to increase their capacity. It is also no surprise that rural Local Councils have also been most engaged with issues like resilience including emergency planning.

The timing here is not a coincidence. Clearly, Localism and thenow the sharing society concept have pushed the emphasis and attention on devolving power and services down the tiers of local government. In addition, the Transparency Code in 2015 challenges even the smaller Local Councils to ensure they engage adequately with their electors. It is essential that Local Councils are aware of the issues in the rural setting but also the opportunities emerging to work more effectively and maximize their assets for the community.

This new conference will aim to identify the key issues for rural communities and provide an over view of the rural agenda and network as it stands but also how it may develop post BREXIT. The thinking behind this conference is that we need to discuss the possible future direction of the rural agenda and how it affects Kent. The subtext here is also the continuing issue of austerity and declining resources, possible re organization of local government and the future of the rural community including farming post BREXIT.

However, the intention of this conference is to provide an opportunity to highlight positive and practical measures to improve and sustain rural communities. In this context, it has been clear since the Rural White Paper in 2000 that Local Councils are seen as providing the leadership for rural society. Therefore, Local Councils must seize the initiative and engage better with their communities and this can be best achieved by a strategy of consultation leading to continuous investment and projects The conference looks at key areas for Local Councils from village halls and community buildings to new funding and become leaders in energy and green based projects. However, it also does not shy away from the challenges line rural crime and an ageing demographic and isolation of individuals. This in itself makes the point that the rural community and the role of Local Councils maybe very different over the next decade. This conference begins that dialogue to ensure Local Councils and communities are aware and engaged with their rural communities.

PROGRAMME:

9.00 Arrival: Registration & Refreshments & Networking

9.45am Chairman: Cllr John Wilson Vice President KALC welcomesdelegates &introduces the issues for Local Councils engaging with the exciting rural agenda.

10.00 Session 1: The Rural Environment: Threats and Opportunities:

10.00am Michael Bax in his leading role on the Crime Rural Advisory Committee (CRAG)begins the conference by outlining the major issue of crime and its negative impacts for the rural community: what are the issues and how best can rural crime be tackled?

10.40am Cllr Andrew Bowles KALC Vice President of KALC provides an overview of the rural agenda: there are a great number of challenges: but what about the opportunities?

11.15 am: Comfort break: (no refreshments)

11.20 Session 2: Seizing the Initiative: The Green & Care agenda:

11.25 am Matt Morris the KALC Rural consultant explores key areas for Local Councils and rural communities where they can raise their profile: save money and even the planet!

12.00 pmNick Silvester KFRS outlines the multi sector approach to increasing social resilience in rural areas: from emergency planning to tackling dementia: answers are local!

12.45 LUNCH [ALL DELEGATES PROCEED TO REFECTORY] Additional Surgeries

1.45 Session 3: Local Councils: working within the rural network:

1.45 pm Huw Jarvis KCC, Programme Manager, Kent Downs and Marshes/East Kent

Leaderoutlines his role and the opportunities available for Local Councils.

2.30 pm Jenny Bradbury the ACRK Village Halls Adviser explores the importance of village halls & community centers from the legal position to funding: revitalizing the village?

3.05 pm: Comfort break: (no refreshments)

3.15 Session 4: Rural Communities and the countryside: Health check?

3.15-5.00pm This block will providea series of thematic presentations and

workshops around the future of the rural economy, community projects and the role of Local Councils in ensuring sustainability in rural communities. Contributors include: Karen Bell, Clerk of East Peckham PC 3.15pm-3.45pm: Sustainable local facilities & Alan West, Lecturer Hadlow College 3.45pm- 4.30pm: The state of agriculture & Cllr Richard Bartley et al Wye PC: Achieving Localism 4.30pm- 5.00pm

Conference closes no later than 5pm with Chairman’s Summary

LOCATION

The venue is the East Malling Research Centre, East Malling and is accessible from the M20.A detailed location map will be distributed with confirmation of booking.

COST

£72.00(inc VAT) per delegate from Town and Parish Councils in membership of the Kent Association, £144.00(inc VAT) per delegate from Councils NOT in membership of the Kent Association. The cost is inclusive of morning refreshments and a buffet lunch. Conference papers andCourse materials will be distributed on the day.

VAT registration number is 509 7509 27

HOW TO APPLY

Complete the enclosed application form and forward it to the Kent Association ideally with a cheque (but this can follow later) to reserve places. Course details and location maps will be sent to individuals in due course.

Booking is on a “first come first served” basis.

CHEQUES PAYABLE TO: “KENT ASSOCIATION OF LOCAL COUNCILS”

Last date for booking is Tuesday 7th Marchunless the course becomes full before then. No refunds for cancellation after that date. Last minute bookings will be accepted if space available.

FUTHER DETAILS

Please make your booking directly via our website: or call the office on 01304 820173.