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If your organisation is a member of the RSN through the SPARSE, Rural Assembly, RSP or RHCA you can book your free place at the National Rural Conference now and join rural specialists to debate key issues. We have over 600 bookings already so book your place now!
The Rural Impacts Stakeholder Forum (RISF) was established in March 2020 to enable open and regular dialogue between key rural stakeholder organisations and Defra on the impact of COVID-19 on rural communities and businesses.
Members of the Forum meet with Defra officials on a weekly basis, with Lord Gardiner, the Minister for Rural Affairs and Biosecurity in attendance when his diary permits, and are as follows:
The 17th of July meeting was hosted by Defra and attended by officials from DCMS, ACRE (Richard Quallington), CLA (Charles Trotman), CPRE (Daniel Carey-Dawes), Plunkett Foundation (James Alcock), NFU (Amy Cobbett), Rural Coalition (Margaret Clark), Rural Services Network (Graham Biggs).
COVID-19 Update
PM statement on coronavirus: 17 July 2020
https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/pm-statement-on-coronavirus-17-july-2020
COVID-19 contain framework: a guide for local decision-makers
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/containing-and-managing-local-coronavirus-covid-19-outbreaks/covid-19-contain-framework-a-guide-for-local-decision-makers
Local authority powers to impose restrictions under coronavirus regulations
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/local-authority-powers-to-impose-restrictions-under-coronavirus-regulations
Digital Skills
Paper – Digital Skills & Inclusion Policy Update
Action – Defra and DCMS to consider how to use the spending review to take a more joined up approach to digital skills and connectivity in rural areas.
Action – Defra to consider the whether there would be any impact on timing and access to 5G in rural areas from the decisions around Huawei.
Action – DCMS and Stakeholders to suggest new members, to represent rural interests, on the Digital Skills Partnership Board.
Action – Rural Communities Team (Defra) to produce a digital (skills and connectivity) action note with DCMS.
AOB
Action – Secretariat to consider the following items for the RISF forward look: CSR, rural proofing, devolution agenda.
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