Rural Policy

Is there a Rural Strategy for the East Riding of Yorkshire?

Yes. A Rural Strategy for 2016-2020 has been produced and includes a major revision of the Strategy and the Action Plan. For more information on the Strategy please see the sections below.

The East Riding of Yorkshire Rural Strategy 2016-2020: Annual Review 2017/2018 has been prepared. This includes a newly revised Action Plan 2017/2018 which will continue to ensure that there is a high profile for rural issues in the East Riding and that the six Key Objectives from the Rural Strategy 2016-2020 are carried out. The Annual Review also includes a review of the Action Plan 2016/2017 and its key outputs.

East Riding of Yorkshire Mid Term Review 2018/19 consists of a Policy Update, Review of Delivery 2016-18 and a revised Action Plan for 2018/19 – 2019/20. Sustainable rural development in the Rural East Riding will be taken forward under a broader policy landscape, especially in the face of Brexit, which will influence actions in the Action Plan.  

The Mid-Term Review, therefore, provides an update on policy changes and key and emerging issues since 2016 which are relevant to the Rural Strategy and its implementation.  

The review of delivery includes presentation of key outputs, the impacts for the Rural East Riding are illustrated by examples in the form of local case studies.  

The Programme of Activities in the Action Plan 2018/19 – 2019/20 will continue to support the implementation of the Rural Strategy 2016-2020 and remains in line with the Vision, Goal, Key Objectives and Broad Tasks which were defined following extensive consultation in the Rural Strategy 2016-2020 

The East Riding of Yorkshire Rural Strategy (2016-2020) which includes the Action Plan for 2016/2017, the Annual Review 2017/2018 and the Mid-Term Review 2018/2019 can be downloaded below: 

The East Riding of Yorkshire Rural Strategy 2016-2020 (pdf 2.5mb opens in new window)

 Rural Strategy Annual Review 2017/2018 (pdf 4.6mb opens in new window)

Rural Strategy Mid-Term Review 2018/2019  (pdf 7.5mb opens in new window)

Rural Strategy Annual Review (pdf 2.14mb opens in new window)

What is the 2016-2020 Rural Strategy?

East Riding of Yorkshire Council and the East Riding of Yorkshire Rural Partnership have developed a Rural Strategy for 2016-2020. The Strategy was created in order to raise the profile of rural issues. Key issues included in the Rural Strategy are:

• rural businesses
• rural landscape and heritage
• food and farming
• rural places, including market towns
• services and facilities
• the need to Think Rural.

The Rural Strategy aims to support positive, sustainable rural development during these economically challenging times by tackling the problems faced by rural businesses, the farming sector and rural communities in respect of accessing services, and by developing opportunities presented by the landscape and heritage of the East Riding, and local food especially in the tourism sector.

The goal of the East Riding of Yorkshire 2016-2020 Rural Strategy is that people of all ages can live, work and thrive in the Rural East Riding , which is itself, vibrant and sustainable.

How was the 2016-2020 Rural Strategy created?

The Rural Strategy was created following a consultation process to define your issues, opportunities and priorities for the new Rural Strategy. 

Our consultation process included:

• an online East Riding of Yorkshire Rural Strategy consultation questionnaire open to all 
• consultation workshops held in community venues across the East Riding for anyone with an interest in rural areas
• meeting and feedback sessions with community leaders, professionals and residents, including those with specialist knowledge, and East Riding of Yorkshire Council officers.

What work does the council's rural policy team undertake?

The council has a small rural policy team in the Directorate of Planning and Economic Regeneration. The team works to ensure that the council and partner organisations are kept up-to-date of the latest rural issues and developments, and seeks to influence rural policy decisions at all levels.

The team leads on the preparation of the council's rural strategy and action plan. 

The work also includes contributing to national policy consultations on a range of matters to ensure that the local, rural voice is heard. 

Recent work has included renewable energy, the natural environment, countryside access and rural transport.

For further information on rural matters please contact the council’s rural policy team.

Where can I find out more about national policies affecting the East Riding?

Information on all areas of national government policy (including health, education, business, welfare and pensions) can be found at Directgov (external website).

For additional information on national policies affecting rural communities and land use, please follow the links to the following government departments:

• Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) (external website - opens in new window)

DEFRA responsibilities include food, farming and biodiversity. Government agencies such as Natural England, Environment Agency, Natural England and the Rural Payments Agency all work for DEFRA.

• Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) (external website - opens in new window)

DCLG responsibilities include rural social and community issues, and the emerging ‘Big Society’ and localism agenda.

• Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) (external website - opens in new window)

DECC is responsible for renewable energy and carbon reduction policy.