CLA West Midlands

Based at the regional office at Woodseaves in Staffordshire, the West Midlands team provides CLA services and rural representation for members within the counties of Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire and Worcestershire.

Advice, support and services...

Training - access to our major training programme - Enterprise Works - to boost the skills and commercial abilities of individuals and businesses in the farming and rural sectors. Visit www.cla.org.uk/enterpriseworks

Advisory service - access to a free advisory service (full members only) providing independent, impartial information and advice on a wide range of rural and business issues

Representation - membership seats on regional government and numerous government agencies to represent members' interests and assist with the rural proofing of policy, with key representation on the West Midlands Business Council (the electing body for seats on the West Midlands Regional Assembly)

Lobbying - local, county and regional lobbying activities targeting MPs, MEPs, authorities, agencies and the general public

Local news – free copy of the bi-monthly magazine (Clarion), a monthly 'Enews' information email, plus a variety of information leaflets and briefing notes

Events - invitations to a wide range of local events and activities – conferences, tax and legal advisory briefings and clinics, business breakfasts, estate/farm visits and social functions

About the region...

Membership - around 5,000 members engaged in all sectors of the rural economy, representing more than 250 types of businesses

Agriculture - wide diversity of farming activities, through livestock, arable, roots, non-agricultural cropping, to horticulture, fruit and forestry

Environment - environmental designations encompass the full international and national range - from world heritage sites in Ironbridge and the Mosses & Meres, to the National Forest, the rivers (Severn & Teme) to locally important sites

Regional development - two substantial and newly designated 'high tech corridors' in Staffordshire and Worcestershire will provide the focus for the next five years, with Birmingham city being at the centre of key regional and national commercial and transport (road, railway and airport) developments

Public attractions - three international visitor attractions - Stratford-on-Avon, Alton Towers, Warwick Castle - together with the Peak National Park and the Welsh Marches 'honey pots'.