The YHRF is essentially about getting better results on the ground and
building on efforts to help rural areas fulfil their full potential in as
part of a successful and sustainable region. This entails making access to
funds easier and seeking to integrate and align resources and activity to
ensure that interventions are as effective as possible.
The YHRF 2006 can be downloaded at the bottom of the page along with a
supporting evidence document which relates evidence to each of the YHRF 10
Priorities.
Updating the Framework
In 2008 the Government Office initiated and facilitated a review of
progress of the Yorkshire and Humber Rural Framework and the need for
adaptation to changes in regional governance arrangements following the
Sub-national Review. This was undertaken through the Y&H Rural Affairs
Forum and the outcome was:
• A restructuring and simplification of the Framework regional
rural governance structures established in 2006 (see below)
• A refreshed Framework statement of rural opportunities,
problems and priorities for action, entitled ‘Maximising the Rural
Potential in Yorkshire &The Humber’.
Rural Framework Governance Structures 2009
Following the review of experience to date and changing regional governance
arrangements, the Rural Framework structures have been modified. The
present structures comprise:
Rural Board - a group of senior officers, drawn from key
regional bodies, providing strategic direction and acting as the 'rural
champion' across the regional agenda. (Following the Sub-National
Review, the Rural Board is considering whether the ‘rural
champion’ role can be better exercised by being integrated within the
new regional governance arrangements in Yorkshire and the Humber.)
Rural Affairs Forum - The Yorkshire and The Humber Rural
Affairs Forum brings together a wide range of rural stakeholders to inform
and monitor the regional and local delivery of policy and to act as a
conduit for regional views on national proposals affecting rural areas and
quarterly meetings with Defra ministers. Through its diverse membership,
which spans social, economic and environmental aspects of rural life, it
has a vital role in bringing together stakeholders, key partners and
organisations.
The Forum meets 3-4 times a year and communicates via a bi-monthly
newsletter, ’Rural Matters’. Its work is steered by a
Management Group and facilitated by a coordinator.
Yorkshire and The Humber Rural Observatory - The Y&H
Rural Observatory is the regional rural intelligence network. It produces
the Yorkshire and Humber Rural Evidence Base and other analyses to monitor
activity and inform evidence-based decision-making on rural issues. Data
and further information is available on the Observatory’s
website.
Sub-Regional Rural Partnerships - Sub-regional partnership
working on rural issues was stimulated by the Rural Strategy 2004 and the
Rural Social and Communities Programme 2005-8. Sub-regional rural
partnerships promote rural proofing and joint working where appropriate on
rural policy and programmes across the four functional sub-regions in
Yorkshire and the Humber. Formerly based on North, West and South Yorkshire
and Humberside, now the City regions of Leeds, Hull and Humber ports and
Sheffield together with North Yorkshire are seen as the functional
sub-regions for strategic planning and investment.
