Task force will tackle key rural issues

A Rural Members’ Advisory Board is being set up which will feature a cross-party group of 16 councillors who represent rural areas on Harrogate Borough Council.

The district covers around 3,000 square miles and has a population of almost 150,000, with 30 per cent of those residents living in rural communities.

The new group, which has been backed by cabinet members, is aimed at improving community links and will focus on the major issues affecting rural parts of the district.

Harrogate Borough Council’s cabinet member for public protection and rural areas, Coun Nick Brown, who is spearheading the initiative, said: “I believe this new group will be a very useful forum which will not be merely talking shop but will be a vehicle for all the rural members on the council to look seriously at how we can use our collective skills, knowledge and experience to influence decision makers both locally and nationally on rural matters of concern.”

The new group will report back to the council’s cabinet on a regular basis as it works with residents to gain a better understanding of the main issues that need to be tackled.

Coun Brown added: “My portfolio cuts across a number of the council’s other cabinet member responsibilities. I believe that this new group will greatly help improve communications at parish, borough and county level. I will want us to look at issues that affect all our rural areas including, the economy, mobile communications, transport provision, affordable housing, tourism, job creation, fuel poverty and the impact wind farms and HGVs have on rural areas. A lot of work is already being done but there is more to be tackled and this is a good start.”