WMRN/WMRAF Conference 2005:Delivering Rural Advantage for All

The Annual WMRAF Conference took place at Wolverhampton Racecourse on Thursday 10 November 2005.

The Government published its Rural Strategy on 21 July 2004 setting out three priorities for rural policy:

• economic and social regeneration,
• social justice for all and
• enhancing the value of the countryside.

This Rural Conference focussed on the progress that has been made to deliver these and the changes that have occurred at the national, regional and sub-regional level affecting the rural West Midlands and its people.

The Rural Delivery Framework (RDF) for the West Midlands was launched at the conference using a 3 month consultation process ending on 13 February 2006. This offered an opportunity to comment on the proposed new Framework and ensure that the right priorities are identified to enable more informed decision-making for our rural areas. In particular, the Conference workshops provided delegates with an early opportunity to engage in this consultation process.

See the report of the conference here.