Rural Growth in the North East

Opportunities for economic growth in the rural areas of Northumberland, Tyne and Wear and County Durham will be debated at an event on Friday 1 February at Kirkley Hall, Ponteland which has attracted leading regional names in both private and public sectors as speakers and delegates.

The event is part of the North East LEP’s North East Economic Review, led by Lord Adonis.

Speakers include Lord Don Curry, chairman of NFU Mutual Insurance, Northumberland farmer and member of the North East economic review team, Frances Rowe from the Centre for Rural Economy and Institute for Social Renewal, Richard Baker of RBLS Consulting and Professor Keith Shaw from Northumbria University.

It is being hosted by Northumberland County Council. Councillor Jeff Reid, leader of the County Council and board member of the North East LEP will open the seminar.

Councillor Reid said: ‘This event, which is a key part of the North East LEP’s economic review, is a fantastic opportunity for rural stakeholders to identify new ways to boost the North East economy overall. We are pleased to be hosting over forty delegates including representatives from the business, public and the community sector. Key Government partners will also be in attendance.

“Our focus will be on ensuring this debate helps to get the right messages about rural growth into the final recommendations of the economic review that Lord Adonis will present to the Government.”

Opportunities for growth in the rural economy will be discussed by Frances Rowe, and Richard Baker will explore rural economies in their wider context. Lord Don Curry will give a presentation on the North East independent economic review.

Lord Curry and Edward Twiddy, director of the North East LEP will sum up the morning’s conclusions and set out next steps in the economic review.

The North East LEP commissioned an economic review, led by Lord Adonis, to look at the long term economic growth in the area to 2030. Lord Adonis and the review team will produce a concise report in Spring 2013 setting out five policy recommendations for the North East LEP, five policy recommendations for key LEP partners in the North East, and five policy recommendations for central government.

Further information from Christine Holland, Holland PR & Marketing Ltd. Tel 01670 790246 or 07711 698246.