Change is always with us, in all walks of life. Our rural communities are changing too. We should not be afraid of change, nor should we automatically resist it.  We cannot shape society and the economy of the future if we constantly look back to an indeterminate golden age that, in reality, never existed.  I look to the future with optimism and want the East of England Rural Forum (EERF) to be a positive force in the region.

We have a clear role as a 'critical friend' to government and public bodies, both nationally and in the East of England.  It is our job to remind policy-makers and decision-takers that rural communities and rural businesses contribute to a strong, vibrant, greater society.

My name is John Yates.  I'm honoured to have been elected as the Forum's Chair.  I will use my term of office to develop closer links between national, regional and local stakeholders so that the rural voice may be heard at the heart of government.

The purpose of the Rural Forum is to provide a voice for rural stakeholders at a strategic level, capable of influencing the rural agenda in the East of England. It provides a channel of communication between rural stakeholders, the Regional Assembly, government and other organisations.

The EERF functions under the auspices of the East of England Regional Assembly (EERA) within the regional governance structure. In association with the seven other Regional Rural Affairs Forums, the EERF has an influencing and informing role at national level via regular contacts with Ministers in Defra and other Government departments. chair@eerf.org.uk

Background

The East of England Rural Affairs Forum (EERAF) was originally set up in 2002 to carry out the role of 'rural sounding board' as set out in the 2000 Rural White Paper.

The Rural Strategy, published in 2004, included a description of a range of new functions for Regional Rural Forums. In response, Government Office for the East of England facilitated a review of the EERAF, in partnership with other regional organisations and members of the EERAF itself. The East of England Rural Forum (EERF) is the result of that review. This also links and compliments Go-East's own Rural Policy.

The Forum consists of representatives from a range of constituencies in the region that are intended to reflect regional thematic and geographic balances across the three pillars of sustainable development - environment, economy and community.

Specific responsibilities include:

• Rural proofing of key national and regional strategies.
• Contribution to the development and review of regional delivery priorities.
• Monitoring, scrutinising and review rural delivery.
• The Rural Forum will act as the rural voice of the region.
• The Forum provides a link between rural stakeholders and the East of England Regional Assembly, Government Office for the East of England and the East of England Development Agency.
• Linking in with County Rural Forums.