I was born in rural North Norfolk 72 years ago and despite the war years enjoyed a wonderful, free childhood. Based on my lifelong experiences I would like to make the following comments in no particular order of importance.

1)    Maintain and encourage agriculture in such a way that it is productive of healthy food and is environmentally friendly.

2)    Taking my first comment into account give strong support to improving the habitats to our indigenous fauna and flora.  Neglect of that which is now common may result in it becoming endangered.

3)    Make it possible for the native country folk to live and work in the area  in which they were born.

4)    Support tourism and leisure activities in such a way that they are not harmful to the aims of any of my other comments.

5)    Encourage green energy programmes and don’t tolerate NIMBYism.

6)    Currently Central Government refuses to assist coastal District and Borough Councils from being able to execise controls over personal water craft(PWC) owners (jetskiers).  When I was a District Councillor for North Norfolk I worked for 8 years to try to introduce such measures.  Because of my insistence a working party was formed of which I was chairman.  The efforts of this working party were nobly supported by the Council’s Legal Department and the Coastal Issues Forum of which I was also Chairman for 4 years.  However, despite our efforts, none of the suggestions for bylaws, regulations etc that we submitted to Central Government were ever accepted.

The result of this, of course, is that a small percentage of jetskiers feel that they can “ play peacock” and “exhibit” their skills on bathing beaches, in waters near bird reserves and so on with a total disregard for people’s or wildlife’s need for a lack of disturbance.  I know that this issue caused great concern for the Warden at Blakeney Point National Trust Reserve that is home to one of the UK’s most important Tern nesting areas.  Funnily enough, in today’s Eastern Daily Press there is a report that the District Council only yesterday debated on how they were going to deal with the latest problems concerning this issue that has been brought to their attention by the frustrated public.

Simon, if Rural Britain:  a 2020 vision, could resolve that little problem, preferably before 2020, many people from many walks of life would be most grateful.

I congratulate you on your efforts so far.  May there be strength to the collective arm!

Dan Corbett

Market Towns

More jobs for people - less commuting

Greater range of jobs with new technologies coming into play. Develop enterprising approaches. Better involvement of business people in schools so young people can get a feel for opportunities for careers in their towns.

More activities and better awareness of existing activities to build social and community cohesion.

Build on distinctiveness - each town is different - work on developing strengths through environment and heritage  as well as social and community activity and action.

Develop a belief in quality - do the best at whatever you do; but do it differently if you can.

‘Exploit’ local assets - make what you have work for you. This could include environmental heritage or social assets. Consider new ways of using them. Do it well, do it differently, make it last - but do something rather than resting on your laurels

Mark Firth

I would like to see my community working together for the good of the whole community, rather than just for their organisation or sector of the community.

Local authorities (district and county) actually consulting with towns and parish councils rather than telling them what will happen.

Town and parish councils should be given help and support to protect their environment, their green spaces and their historic environment.

Rural communities should be allowed and encouraged to take ownership of successful project - which often the ‘big boys’ come along and take it over - as it allows them to tick boxes and gain kudos with government. The rural community is then left with the sense of pride in what they have achieved

More respect for volunteers working for the good of their community

More sustainable communities, greener communities

Community Led Planning

Access to ICT

+ the Internet

Affordable Homes

Community Enterprise

Environmental Sustainability

Locally Determined Priorities

Community Partnership

Access to Education / Skills

Development

Jeff Tweddle

Northumberland Rural Voices Network

• A place where we can all feel comfortable and peaceful
• Where there are affordable homes to live and where there is easy access to work and services
• A place where all communities and villages are highly connectible - either through technology or by highly attractive transport and communication links
• Rural Britain will be, environmentally, at the forefront of sustainable, clean and pollution-free technology
• And there will always be open spaces and countryside

David Heathcote

Population

- a new feeling of being born, brought up, experiencing the personality forming aspects of life

- feeling others understand and value all places and cultures and vice versa

- more diversity of people

Community recognition of what is valued i.e to live and work where these are the things which are valued e.g. retaining housing and places of character. To understand why ways of living and the environment are valued, preserved - not as museums but as recognition of skills.

Local sourcing - of repairs, food etc

A new type of ‘nationalised’ industry - evolved from community businesses.

Community enterprises / buying groups:

• reflecting needs and interests across all ages
• young people brought up to have ownership of support services, newsletters, leisure facilities around them
• people recognise and can develop their skills and learning through community projects which they can use to further careers
• care sector and local communications/ networks delivered by local people on volunteer and paid basis

Facilities and skills shared e.g. school IT, building maintenance people also providing costed service for others

Caroline O’Neill

Largely self-sufficient communities, determining their own priorities, funding allocations etc. It may vary from one area to another in style / priority

More local focus, less physical travel, more internet-service dependent, especially healthcare

Much greater environmental consciousness / protection

Controls on second homes in rural areas (sustainability = 48 weeks hols for 48 families before 1 family 2/3 times per year)

Greater tourism / city escape role for countryside

Less overseas travel, more foot / pedal power holidays

Sue Boyce

Market Town retail environment will be:

Self-sustaining. Will provide the goods and services people need without the need to travel outside their own localities.

Will allow both indepenedent and chain businesses to thrive in the same marketplace.

Will preserve and enhance the historic character of the town if relevant

Will allow local producers to sell their wares in an economically viable way

Will allow the natural assets of the town i.e. rivers to enhance the town centre environment

Stephen Lambe

My 2020 Vision

• Community working with local schools and businesses
• Businesses working together for the benefit of the whole community
• Visitors welcomed into the rural community
• Whole community working to protect global as well as local environment
• A sustainable community where a car is unnecessary
• Communities with a pride of place, preserving our heritage but embracing progress
• Encouragement of local businesses so residents can walk to work
• A community that supports and encourages all its members

Sue Mabbutt

Church Stretton

South Shropshire

1) Environmental challenges will become more intense and market towns will need to be at the forefront of rural responses to carbon reduction, the development of sustainable lifestyles and low impact affordable places to live.

2) This will best be accomplished by empowering communities, informing them of their challenges and opportunities and working with them to develop their own responses. Councils & agencies need to establish the frameworks within which this can happen and then let people get on with it; giving power away will energise rural places.

3) Rural economies have diversified slowly – the pace and range needs to increase. Rural wages still lag behind regional/national averages. Sustainable places depend on diversity in employment opportunity – supported by local networks that improve trading links and skills acquisition

Ian Baker

Advantage West Midlands