http://www.cla.org.uk/rss/News_Midlands.xml Rural News from the CLA en-gb Tue, 14 May 2013 15:11:05 GMT Copyright: © 2013 CLA, http://www.cla.org.uk http://www.cla.org.uk Rising unemployment, shrinking profits and plummeting confidence in countryside businesses has thrown the rural economy to the brink of a further recession, according to a new survey by the CLA and Smiths Gore. Data from the Rural Economy Index for the 2013 first quarter shows that both agricultural and non-agricultural rural businesses are suffering. All eight survey indicators fell across both types of business. Tue, 14 May 2013 GMT http://www.cla.org.uk/RSS/RN/1013787/ The CLA is celebrating two major lobbying successes resulting in reduced planning regulations which will make it easier to bring both agricultural and office buildings back into productive use at a time when the rural economy needs it most. It says that new measure will reduce bureaucracy, time and cost for economic development in the countryside. Fri, 10 May 2013 GMT http://www.cla.org.uk/RSS/RN/1013771/ The CLA today (8 May) welcomed formal recognition in the Queen's Speech that compensation provisions will be bought forward for rural landowners whose businesses and properties have been frozen by the High Speed Two (HS2) rail line. The Association will support the proposed Preparation Bill providing it goes some way to enable fair compensation payments to be made promptly to those suffering losses due to the construction of HS2. Wed, 08 May 2013 GMT http://www.cla.org.uk/RSS/RN/1013759/ If you live in a small rural community or out in the sticks, please help make a difference and take part in Shropshire's Rural Health Survey. Wed, 08 May 2013 GMT http://www.cla.org.uk/RSS/RN/1013757/ Tom Bridge from Chesterfield has joined the Country Land and Business Association (CLA) as territory manager for Staffordshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Rutland. This gives the association a strong regional presence at a time when, says Tom, "It has never been more important for farmers and rural businesses to belong to a strong membership organisation". Thu, 02 May 2013 GMT http://www.cla.org.uk/RSS/RN/1013704/ Commenting on today's announcement (30 April 2013) that High-speed fibre broadband will be rolled out to around 96 percent of Cheshire homes and businesses in the next three years, CLA Midlands Rural Surveyor Richard Goodwin said: "This is good news for the homes and business in Cheshire, Halton and Warrington that will benefit from the project. It has been a long time coming, not helped by an incredibly complex funding process. Tue, 30 Apr 2013 GMT http://www.cla.org.uk/RSS/RN/1013678/ The CLA in the Midlands is encouraging people to celebrate St George's day, 23 April, by organising and attending events promoting local food and drink, even if simply a family meal. Fri, 19 Apr 2013 GMT http://www.cla.org.uk/RSS/RN/1013543/ The CLA has welcomed Defra's announcement of £250,000 to help farmers meet the cost of removing sheep killed by the recent snow. CLA President Harry Cotterell said: "I wrote to the Farming Minister earlier this month to outline numerous problems faced by CLA members who own livestock and urged that action be taken. Fri, 19 Apr 2013 GMT http://www.cla.org.uk/RSS/RN/1013539/ Members considering applying for SPS online will find this short film useful. In the video, developed by the RPA, we meet farmer David Jenkins on farm in Somerset. RPA's stakeholder manager Simon Lunniss guides him through the process of applying online. Thu, 18 Apr 2013 GMT http://www.cla.org.uk/RSS/RN/1013516/ CLA staff including the national president, director general and regional director joined regional CLA chairmen from across the midlands on the Earl of Aylesford's Packington Hall Estate. The aim of this high profile visit was to give key CLA staff and members first-hand knowledge of how a modern estate is gearing up to deal with the disruption to farms and businesses and the effect phase 2 of the HS2 high speed rail link will have on this modern estate. Thu, 18 Apr 2013 GMT http://www.cla.org.uk/RSS/RN/1013514/ The CLA in the Midlands is reminding qualifying farmers that they have until 30 April to apply for funding under the Capital Grant Scheme for Catchment Sensitive Farming. The Capital Grant Scheme is available in 2013/14 in the existing priority catchments as well as several new catchments and catchment partnerships and is targeted more specifically at holdings within target areas of these catchments. Thu, 11 Apr 2013 GMT http://www.cla.org.uk/RSS/RN/1013455/ Rural lobbying association the CLA is encouraging people in Herefordshire to respond to two important consultations. Herefordshire Council is currently consulting on its core strategy, a key planning document which sets out the vision for the long term development of Herefordshire until 2031. This will identify where new development will take place, its type and scale, as well as protecting what is valued about the area. The Strategy also identifies what services, facilities and infrastructure are needed and when and how these will be achieved. Thu, 11 Apr 2013 GMT http://www.cla.org.uk/RSS/RN/1013441/ Visitors to this year's CLA Game Fair - the world's biggest countryside show - can enjoy the experience in style with the creation of the VIP Lodge, a fantastic new dining and hospitality area. The Lodge will be located in a grand two-storey structure with its own private lawn overlooking the Main Arena at Ragley Hall, Warwickshire, from Friday, 19 July to Sunday, 21 July. Wed, 03 Apr 2013 GMT http://www.cla.org.uk/RSS/RN/1013338/ News that Natural England is providing derogations to agri-environment scheme rules for farmers affected by the unseasonal weather has been welcomed by the CLA. Wed, 03 Apr 2013 GMT http://www.cla.org.uk/RSS/RN/1013336/ In a key report the CLA has called on the Government to cut VAT on the supply of rural tourism services from 20 percent to seven percent, bringing Britain into line with other European destinations. Wish You Were Here? CLA policy on rural tourism recommends a reduction in VAT for people who provide accommodation and other services for tourists as well as proposing measures to improve standards, encourage integration and help members market their tourism businesses. Tue, 19 Mar 2013 GMT http://www.cla.org.uk/RSS/RN/1013218/ The box office has opened and the countdown begun for this year's CLA Game Fair - the world's largest countryside event - at Ragley Hall in Warwickshire from Friday, 19 July to Sunday, 21 July. The CLA Game Fair's organisers are predicting a huge turnout for this year's event which celebrates the countryside and showcases the importance of field sports and country activities to the rural economy. Mon, 18 Mar 2013 GMT http://www.cla.org.uk/RSS/RN/1013197/ The CLA says the High Court's decision that the consultation into compensation for those affected by HS2 was ruled "unlawful" gives the Government a golden opportunity to completely rethink the way it compensates those affected along the proposed route. Mon, 18 Mar 2013 GMT http://www.cla.org.uk/RSS/RN/1013196/ From today, (26 February) application forms for the 2013 single farm payment scheme will be visible on the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) website and the CLA in the Midlands suggests that farmers, who have not previously done so, consider completing their applications online this year. Tue, 26 Feb 2013 GMT http://www.cla.org.uk/RSS/RN/1013045/ The CLA in the Midlands has criticised moves by the Peak District National Park Authority to ignore national planning policy and seek an exemption from the Government's proposal to allow offices to be converted to housing under permitted development rights. The Association says that the national policy has been put in place to boost economic development in all rural areas and, contrary to the national park authority's view, believes that the new rights will be of great benefit to the area. Fri, 22 Feb 2013 GMT http://www.cla.org.uk/RSS/RN/1013011/ Reporting to the Director of Policy and Advice this role is a key member of the CLA's advisory team. As an organisation the CLA advises and represents land owners and we are seeking to appoint a Chief Land Management Adviser to lead the Land Management team. Thu, 21 Feb 2013 GMT http://www.cla.org.uk/RSS/RN/1013004/