CLA Lancashire Branch says “Quiz your candidates, then vote”

The Lancashire Branch of the CLA is encouraging people in rural areas to quiz all Prospective Parliamentary Candidates about the issues that need to be addressed by the next Government.

To help people make sure that candidates take into account the needs of people who live and work in rural areas, the branch has suggested a number of questions that people may wish to ask when their candidates come knocking.

This sits alongside the CLA's National Manifesto, 'Making the most of our Countryside', which covers countrywide issues under the three themes of Enabling Rural Business, Caring for the Countryside, and Enjoying Our Countryside. The Manifesto makes it clear that producing food must remain the first function of the countryside, but covers Government policy on topics as diverse as affordable housing, climate change, broadband and rights of way.

CLA Lancashire Chairman Barbara Mackie said; "This could prove the most important election in a generation, and it is vital that you ask the questions. You might not like all the answers, but at least you will be able to make a more informed decision, and cast your vote in the knowledge that you have done so based on issues rather than spin."

The CLA's suggested questions include:

Will you put an end to the managed retreat of coastal defences and protect valuable farmland?
Will you provide the police with increased resource to deal with rural crime, such as fly tipping, especially on the urban fringe?
Will you ensure that rural areas receive their fair share of public services, such as the repair and maintenance of rural roads, and gritting during bad weather?
Will you remove the barriers to appropriate development in the Lancashire countryside?
Will you press for rural communities, through their Parish Councils, to have a stronger voice in planning decisions?
How will you ensure the views and needs of rural people are not swamped by those from higher density urban centres?
Will you guarantee that the Community Infrastructure Levy will not affect rural businesses, especially agriculture, disproportionately?
Will you guarantee that rural businesses and landowners will not suffer financially, or lose property rights as a result of increased coastal access?
Will you provide incentives to encourage landowners to invest in renewable energy schemes?
Will you make it easier for rural businesses of all sizes to access grants and funding?
How will you ensure that everyone has access to fast, affordable broadband?

Mrs Mackie added: "Of course, everyone will have their own local concerns. Make sure you voice them and make sure you vote."

Political briefing

Douglas Chalmers, Director CLA North said: "The CLA is willing to brief all candidates on rural issues, and we have already met with several early in the campaign. A healthy countryside requires an informed and sympathetic Government, and that is where the CLA is proving of invaluable assistance to all parties."

To speak with the CLA, call Douglas Chalmers on 015395 67597 email douglas.chalmers@cla.org.uk

Contact

Douglas Chalmers
Policy & Public Affairs Director

Douglas is from an Aberdeenshire farming family and trained as an animal nutritionist after graduating from the University of Aberdeen.

He held technical and management positions in the agricultural supply industry for 20 years prior to joining the CLA in 2001 as North West Regional Director. He is a Governor of Myerscough College and a member of Cumbria Local Access Forum. He was previously Chairman of Cumbria Fells & Dales RDPE Local Action Group and Vice Chairman of the North West Rural Affairs Forum.

Douglas and his wife own a small farm near Appleby-in-Westmorland keeping Herdwick sheep and free-range poultry, and where he has helped his wife to form Learning Fields, a Community Interest Company and care farming enterprise offering educational and environmental activities. He is also a member of Eden Time Bank.

T: 01748 907070
F: 01748 907075
douglas.chalmers@cla.org.uk

Have a problem - need advice?

Contact the regional office - the sooner you call, the sooner we may be able to help.

North West Office

Aske Stables
Aske
Richmond
North Yorkshire
DL10 5HG

T: 01748 907070
F: 01748 907075
info.north@cla.org.uk

Join the CLA today

Anyone who owns rural land or runs a rural business will benefit from joining the CLA.

Click here to find out how

The CLA Game Fair 2012

20 - 22 July 2012 Belvoir Castle. Grantham, Leicestershire.

CLA Member Ticket Box Office

Visit The CLA Game Fair website

Up-to-date advice on the changes in the fine art and antiques markets for insurance, sale, IHT planning, private treaty sale, possible exemption whether it be paintings, jewellery, silver, works of art, books, clocks, wine or classic cars.

CLA Events in your area

There are currently no events on the system for the LONDON area, please contact your local office.

To receive our regular email newsletter containing advice and the latest news affecting the region - contact the office or send your email address and membership number to info.north@cla.org.uk

Country Land and Business Association Limited. Registered Office: 16 Belgrave Square, London, SW1X 8PQ. Registered in England and Wales: 6131587. VAT Number: GB 238 7714 35

© 2012 Country Land and Business Association Limited (CLA). All rights reserved. No part of this website may be reproduced or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, or stored in any retrieval system of any nature without prior written permission of the copyright holder except as expressly permitted by law.

Disclaimer

No responsibility for loss occasioned to any person acting or refraining from action in reliance on or as a result of the material included in or omitted in this website can be or is accepted by the author(s), the CLA or its officers or trustees or employees or any other persons.

The Advisory Services are made available to members on the basis that members' rights to compensation and the liability (if any) of CLA and its officers and/or its staff advisers, are restricted in the following ways. In the event of any advice given by any CLA staff adviser being given negligently or otherwise being incorrect no liability whatsoever is accepted by the CLA or its officers or by its staff advisers concerned

(a) towards any person who is not the current CLA member to whom the advice was directly given,

(b) to any person in the respect of consequential loss or loss of profits, or

(c) to any person for any sum exceeding £50,000 in respect of any one enquiry (whether made or responded to orally or in writing and whether dealt with at one time or over a period of time).

Any person making use of the Advisory Services accepts such restrictions. Members should refer to appropriate professional advisers in private practice before taking any particular course of action potentially or actually involving any substantial amounts of money.

Please note that whilst the advisers are able to advise on a wide range of subjects relating to land ownership, they cannot act in place of a member's own solicitor, accountant, surveyor and tax specialist by, for example, drafting documents or corresponding on their behalf and may be precluded, by the rules of their own professions, from advising one CLA member against another CLA member in the case of conflict.

Solicitors Indemnity Fund . Solicitors in the CLA Legal Team are not covered by the Solicitors Indemnity Fund in relation to professional negligence in relation to any advice given by them.

Please note that from time to time telephone calls maybe recorded for training purposes.