1 Towards a new rural agenda Crucial time for rural public policy A new rural agenda reflects current thinking across a range of topics, economic development to welfare policy, public services to rural politics Brought together in a new and strategic way, but this is not the new rural agenda

2 Towards a new rural agenda The report give prominence to a range of wider debates, that are often marginalised Ideas in the report are suggestions, laying the groundwork for what may become a new rural agenda after wider discussions

3 Recommendations Need a clearer articulation of rural policy – the social and economic future This means public policy that can be signed up to by other central government departments Mainstream the rural dimension into national policy challenges

4 An example of how Mainstreaming decision making One option – public spend: Comprehensive Spending Review 2007 cross-departmental set of Public Service Agreements on rural policy

5 Further recommendations Continued reform and making the most of opportunities – CAP reform and visionary policy for rural development Engaging with the rural voice and making the rural voice heard: –neighbourhoods and parishes –Regional Rural Affairs Forums