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 Rural Forum 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.

Latest News

Rural Development Programme for England

Information about the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) is available on the EEDA website.

The Regional Implementation Plan is also available.

Position Papers

The East of England Rural Forum has developed a suite of Position Papers on a number of subjects.  The papers have been used to influence at national and regional levels.

Learning and Skills
Water Resources
Planning

EERF Chair and Vice-Chair Elections 2008: Result

The annual elections for EERF Chair and Vice-Chairs took place at the EERF AGM on 12 March 2008.

EERF Members elected John Yates to serve another term as Chair.  Andrew Budden and Pat Holtom were elected to the two Vice-Chair positions.  Congratulations to John, Pat and Andrew.

'Affordable and Zero Carbon Homes in Rural Areas - can they be delivered?': Conference Papers and EERF / Country Land and Business Association Report

The East of England Rural Forum’s annual conference took place on 5 March 2008.

The EERF / Country Land and Business Association report and the papers from the conference are now available.

EERF / CLA Report: Affordable Rural Housing: Barriers to Land Provision

Removing the Barriers to Affordable Housing Provision (Tim Isaac)

The Planning Context of Rural Affordable Housing (Phil Kirby)

Delivering Zero Carbon Homes in Rural Areas (Gina Yuzbasioglu)

Hastoe Housing Association (Ulrike Maccariello)

Flagship Housing Group (Martin Aust)

EERF Newsletter Edition 6

Edition 6 of the EERF newsletter was produced in March 2008 and includes feedback from the Rural Affairs Forum Chairs’ meeting with the Rural Minister.

EERF Conference: 'Affordable and Zero Carbon Homes in Rural Areas - can they be delivered?'

The East of England Rural Forum's Annual Conference is taking place on 5th March 2008 at the Holiday Inn, Thorpe Wood, Peterborough.  The theme is 'Affordable and Zero Carbon Homes in Rural Areas - can they be delivered?'. 

To book your place at the conference, which is free to attend, please complete the booking form and either email it to Eerfconference2008@goeast.gsi.gov.uk or alternatively return it by post to the following address:

EERF Conference 2008
Climate Change Team
GO East
Eastbrook
Shaftesbury Road
Cambridge
CB2  8DF

Please circulate this invitation and details to your networks.

Date of next meeting -12th March 2008.

The next EERF meeting will take place on 12th March 2008 - please note the change of date.  The meeting will focus on 'Influencing Strategies' and will also be the EERF's AGM.  Elections for the positions of Chair and Vice-Chairs will take place at the meeting'.