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Sevenoaks District Rural Forum
Stop Press - Rural Conference 27th November 2007
All the expertise and advice at one event on sustainable farming and farm diversification and an opportunity to learn more about the new government support funding - through the RDPE 2007-2013 programme. For further details click on the following link: Rural Conference (
PDF 417K file details)
What is the Rural Forum?
The Sevenoaks District Rural Forum was set up in June 2001 to cover a wide range of issues affecting rural areas in the District such as housing, the rural economy, education and public awareness and transport. The Forum provides an opportunity for groups with an interest in rural issues in the District to develop strategy and discuss such issues on a regular basis thus ensuring there is a 'rural voice'. As such, the Forum can:
Raise issues affecting rural areas with the Cabinet;
Be consulted on key developments and issues affecting rural areas;
Influence Cabinet thinking on important issues affecting rural areas and have a direct input into the Council's policy making process.
Terms of Reference
The Forum will meet quarterly or as required.
The Forum should represent a broad range of rural interests without becoming unwieldy. Membership will initially be as per the initial invitation list.
District Council membership will include a maximum of 5 Councillors, including the Chair of the Forum.
District Council Officers will not be members of the Forum but will work with the Forum and will attend meetings as necessary.
Working Groups will be set up to focus on specific issues; the number of groups depending on administrative services available to staff them.
Local input is of the utmost importance and Working Groups will be encouraged to stimulate and nurture local contacts and connections. Face-to-face involvement of local people is essential to ensure that ownership of the Forum remains with the community of Sevenoaks District.
Working Groups will report back to the Forum as needed, but not necessarily at every meeting.
Membership of Working Groups will be drawn from the full Forum membership.
Additional members with specific expertise may be drawn from outside the Forum from time to time to participate in relevant Working Groups.
All Parish Councils in the District will be kept informed of the activities of the Rural Forum. Consideration will be given to further input from Parish Councils at a later stage.
The use of e-mail will be encouraged and will be the preferred method of communication between all members of the Forum.
Membership
Membership of the Forum is derived from a wide range of interest groups including the Rural Housing Trust, the National Farmers Union and the Wildlife Trust.
Contacting the Rural Forum
Should you have any comments or queries then please contact the Forum by e-mailing: rural.forum@sevenoaks.gov.uk.
Agendas, Minutes and Additional Papers
2005
Agenda 2 February 2005 ( PDF 10K file details)
Minutes 2 February 2005 ( PDF 60K file details)
21 August 2008
