What's New

Last chance

Members have a final chance to comment on all the revised documentation, including:Terms of Reference, Job Descriptions, Vision, Purpose and Values; but only until 24 February 2010. Click here for more details

Your chance to help develop this website

We are looking for your input and 15 minutes of your time to complete a WMRAF Website Questionnaire. Please click here to help us to help you

New webpage for WMRAF Review

Please see the new webpage Review 2009.

You will find all the current information, relevant papers, questionnaire results summary and time table for the process.

If you would like anything else added, let me know

The reply to Regional Spacial Strategy (RSS) Phase 3 Review

Thank you to all those who contributed to the reply Alison provided on behalf of the WMRAF.

Please see the final version - narrative here

Please see the final version - questionnaire response here

Review of WMRAF

WMRAF Chair - Bob Forster - instigated a review of the Forum.

This started with these three questions:

1.     What should we be doing?

2.     What outcomes should we be achieving?

3.     What structures do we need to support this?

and has now been expanded to this questionnaire.

You are all invited to contribute.

Rural Evidence Base

Advantage West Midlands have developed an up to date evidence base which provides an in depth understanding of our rural areas as well as tools to support policy development.

Annual Report

The annual report for 2008/2009 is now available via the Annual Report page.

Rural Business

The Government have now published their response to the report from the Rural Advocate, a copy of which can be accessed via this link.

Appointment of a new chair

Bob Forster has been elected to take over from Nick Read as Chair of the West Midlands Rural Affairs Forum.

Bob was the Regional Director for the NFU in the West Midlands from 1994 until 2002. He was also instrumental in setting up Heart of England Fine Foods and the West Midlands Rural Support Network.He later became a member of the West Mercia Police Authority, where he remained for eight years,spending two years as Chair.

Bob is currently a trustee of the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution as well as being their Deputy Chair with responsibility for the North of England.

Bob is married and lives in Telford,his hobbies include gardening and travel.

Bob's first meeting as Chair will be on 12 March 2009 at Stratford upon Avon Town Hall.

The next Forum meeting will be held on Thursday 11 June 2009 at the Staffordshire Show Ground,Stafford

Details of the Rural Affairs Forum annual conferences can be found via the Annual Conference page.

The final version of the Forum's Housing Report is now available. More information about the Housing Task Group.

The most recent meeting of the Forum was on Thursday 12 March 2009, at Stratford upon Avon Town Hall,Stratford upon Avon,Warwickshire

Forum meetings and specialist seminars in 2009

West Midlands Regional Forestry Framework
Growing our Future, the West Midlands Regional Forestry Framework, was published and launched in October 2004, clearly setting out how trees and woodlands are important to people - in different ways, in different contexts and at different life stages.  Alongside priorities such as timber production, landscape enhancement and biodiversity there are lots of opportunities to engage actively with people and through growing partnership working.

Climate change and wood energy alternatives are climbing higher up the regional agenda, as are healthier lifestyles, better community involvement and more opportunities for leisure and recreation. Well managed trees and woodlands are exemplars of sustainability and those in the West Midlands are no exception. However, in recent years, some have declined in value and this needs to be addressed if we are to achieve best value from the region's woodland.

The Delivery Plan for 2006 - 2009 is available online (in .pdf).  It is for everyone who can help protect, maintain or improve the Region's trees, forests and woodlands, or assist others through their activity, expertise and commitment to do so.

Changing Times - A Framework for Regeneration Consultation

The response from the Forum to the consultation is now available (in pdf)

Rural Economy Report

The Environment,Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee at the House of Commons have recently published a report on"The potential of Englands rural economy",which examines Defra's objectives for rural communities. A copy of the report is available on line (in pdf format)