Rural businesses and communities are being asked to help explore issues around rural productivity and growth in south-west England.

The South West Rural Productivity Commission has been established as a partnership by four local enterprise partnerships in the region.

The four partnerships are the Heart of the South West (HotSW LEP), Dorset LEP, Swindon & Wiltshire (SWLEP), and Cornwall & the Isles of Scilly (CIoS LEP).

They believe that rural growth, productivity and prosperity must be tackled alongside urban growth, to ensure that improvements impact on all parts of the economy.

Together, the four LEPs are calling for written evidence with the deadline of 19 May, and for expressions of interest to take part one of a series of evidence hearings in June.

The commission is set up to hear and review evidence from a range of sources and stakeholders.

It is seeking to frame the south west's response to the industrial strategy and forthcoming Defra 25-year plans for food, farming and fisheries and the environment.

As such, it is aiming to draw out opportunities for the south west and individual LEPs to drive improvements in rural productivity.

It is also seeking to understand the wider economic functioning between rural and urban to identify opportunities to drive growth across the whole area.

It is anticipated that a final report will be produced by the end of July.

The panel will also hear evidence in public through a series of panel sessions across the region in June – venues to be confirmed – please watch this space.

If you would like to present evidence in person to the panel, please complete this short online expression of interest form.

As panel time will be limited, we cannot guarantee all interested parties will be able to present. The panel hearings will be open to the public.

For more details, visit the South West Rural Productivity Commission.