European Rural Group
All papers are available in Word format, unless otherwise specified.
See information about proposals here.
Introduction
At its meeting in March 2004, the Rural Affairs Forum asked AWM to co-ordinate a group to implement the rural actions that proceeded from the Highbury summit in late 2003. A subsequent paper reported on the development of the work and the connections and progress that had been made since then.
This led to the establishment of the European Rural Group.
The terms of Reference for the European Rural Group were endorsed by the WM Rural Affairs Forum in March 2006 (see below). To manage the current workload it was agreed by ERG, on a temporary basis, to divide the group in two for them to take forward specific areas of work within the region’s rural European agenda. This allows partners with skills and expertise to engage with the relevant group.
The European Rural Group has been divided into:
- ERG Inter-Regional Group
- ERG RDPE
Terms of Reference
The two groups fall within the remit of the original ERG. As such the purpose, methods of working, communication channels and reporting lines will remain the same as current terms of reference agreed by RAF. The difference between the groups will be in the work areas/remit taken forward by each.
Remit
The remit of the original ERG will be shared between the two groups. Each group will take forward the specific work areas broadly outlined below.
ERG Inter-Regional Group will take forward inter-regional working, including:
- RuriPolitan
- PURPLE
- Appropriate European funding opportunities including FP7
- elective trans-national working from RDPE and RCE
- reference point for developing inter-regional bids
ERG RDPE will:
- Act as the reference group for the development of the Rural Development Programme for England within the region.
- Influence the RCE (regional competitiveness and employment programme)
Purpose
The Group exists to give the region a reference point for European rural policy issues. It is a small working group, established to support the Rural Affairs Forum and Regional European Funding and Policy Group, in bringing together sufficient capacity and expertise to develop policy positions, maintain and improve communication and support the development of inter-regional relationships.
Specifically the group will be:
- An informed reference group for European rural development policy, particularly relating to Structural Funds, Cohesion and Pillar 2 of the CAP. (Issues to be covered will be captured in a work plan, to be agreed through RAF and REFPG.)
- It will ensure the rural policy agenda is appropriately incorporated into other themes of the European Strategy and priority activities.
- A communication channel between the Regional European Policy and Funding Group (an officer group led by Patrick Wilcocks of Birmingham City Council), the European and International Affairs Partnership (led by Sir Albert Bore) and the Rural Affairs Forum.
- It will also maintain communication with other related groups and fora, such as the LSPs European group & LGA Rural Issues Group.
- LSP representatives will provide a channel of communication with Sub Regional Groups.
- The focal point for building links on rural issues with a network of European regions who have similar characteristics and interests to the West Midlands and to propose a way forward, in conjunction with others working on strategic region to region links.
- a reference point for developing bids to European funds which look to address rural development needs in the region. Further. the role will be limited to:
- those developing sub-regional ideas where there is no appropriate LSP, or where they are referred to the group for advice by an LSP.
- Generally, the advice of the group will be sought electronically, to ensure speedy response and that meetings are more consistently focused at the strategic level.
Regional Reporting Lines and Endorsement of ERG Decisions
The Group has two reporting lines: through the Regional Assembly (serviced by the LGA) and through the West Midlands Rural Affairs Forum (WMRAF), serviced by the WMRAF Management Group (this also includes RA and LGA reps.)
When ERG is undertaking piece of work on behalf of regional partners, it is important that the approval and endorsement procedures are clear.
Where a piece of work sits within the remit of the RAF, any policy statement or response should be put to the RAFMG for endorsement and any changes agreed between the ERG and RAFMG Secretariats, with the RAF Chair signing any letters or documents. Any documents so produced would be submitted to the WMRAF as part of the relevant business reports. Further:
- Submissions of a more political nature should be signed off through the Assembly/LGA (examples include where the group is asked to engage with politically led networks within the region and beyond, e.g., committee of the regions, LGA, etc.
- Where the group feels it is necessary, an event can be held to draw in a wider representation
- Put all Group papers on appropriate website
Frequency of Meetings
This is entirely determined by the business and the timetable of European policy activity set by the Commission and UK Government.
Secretariat
The Group is supported by AWM, whose lead officer for this purpose is Ian Baker.
Chair
The Chair of the Group will rotate round the LSP representatives.
Origin and relationships
AWM have been asked to support the development of rural European policy development by both REFPG and RAF. In the first instance, they have been asked to “build understanding of EU rural policy”, in support of the region’s European Action Plan. The RAF has asked them to coordinate addressing the actions that emerged from the Highbury meeting in 2003.
The Group will bring these two sets of complementary requirements together, making best use of available resources and building synergies between these two requirements. It will also provide a link between RAF and REFPG, one that has not existed to date.
The RAF nominated a small task Group and this has formed the basis of the Group. However, in order to realise the linkages with REFPG, the Group has been expanded to involve their nominees.
See also: How to identify and engage with potential rural partner regions
Meetings of the European Rural Group:
Meetings of the ERG Inter-Regional Group
Meetings of the ERG RDPE
Membership
David Collier – NFU
Philip Extance – Shropshire LSC
Peter Smith – Worcestershire CC
Kate Docherty – Regional Assembly
Helena Muskett – Staffordshire CC (REFPG)
Vinia Abesamis – Herefordshire CC (REFPG)
Ian Baker – Advantage West Midlands
David Howatson – Government Office for the West Midlands
Christopher Harvey – Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce
See further information here
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