2010s – a decade of new rights, powers and the EU referendum
The Localism Act 2011 gave new rights to local communities under a term coined by the government as ‘Big Society’. The Act aimed to “break down the barriers that stop councils, local charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups getting things done for themselves”. It included new rights and powers for communities and individuals; reform to make the planning system more democratic and more effective; and reform to ensure that decisions about housing were taken locally.
The National Planning Policy Framework (2012) introduced statutory Neighbourhood Planning where communities could develop “a shared vision for their neighbourhood and shape the development and growth of their local area”.
In response, Cambridgeshire ACRE organised an Autumn Seminar Programme in 2011 “Localism Delivered: Opportunities and Challenges” to explain and examine the new Act and introduce the concept of Neighbourhood Planning for the first time.
Introduction of Neighbourhood Planning Advice and Support Service
It became evident that communities needed advice and support to guide them through the steps needed to deliver a successful Neighbourhood Plan. A new Neighbourhood Planning Service was launched and Cambridgeshire ACRE and its planning consultant associates have since supported 22 of the 34 ‘made’ plans in the county and are currently taking another 13 communities through the process.
Supporting the Digital TV Switchover
The switch off of the analogue television signal in 2012 brought concern that older and more vulnerable people might lose their TV signal and be left isolated. Cambridgeshire ACRE led an innovative outreach programme using community volunteers, who were each allocated parishes and towns to visit to deliver in-person support to those they knew would need assistance. At the end of the programme, 350 people, who otherwise would not have been aware or able to switchover their TVs, had been assisted and linked to switchover equipment installers.
Protecting the natural environment nature and community green space
Concerned about the need to enhance the natural environment and make Cambridgeshire a greener place to live, the organisation started several programmes that engaged communities in protecting and enhancing Cambridgeshire natural assets. A £1m grant was awarded by National Lottery Heritage Fund to deliver a 5-year Landscape Partnership Scheme centred on the Ouse Washes area; Defra funded a Water Care Partnership that looked at improving water quality across the Old Bedford and Middle Level catchment and work got underway to consider the integration of cultural, economic and environmental aspects of the Cambridgeshire Fens through a UNESCO Fens Biosphere nomination.
Continued success for LEADER and EU funding
The Cambridgeshire ACRE-facilitated Fens Adventurers Rural Development Programme came to an end after 5 years, having invested £2.58 million in 66 projects and levered in an additional £4.82 million in match funding. On the back of this, a new Local Development Strategy for the Cambridgeshire Fens LEADER area was developed following substantial public consultation and a bid for further EU Rural Development funding submitted.
Declining social and economic investment for rural areas
The Countryside Agency was abolished in 2006, followed by the Rural Development Agencies in 2012, with rural social issues transferred to Defra’s Rural Policy Team. Regional government ended and Rural Action East was closed in 2014 due to the Rural Community Councils now not needing a federation to influence regional investment into rural areas.
On 23 June 2016, an EU Referendum resulted in votes cast being in favour of leaving the EU, triggering ‘Brexit’ the Country’s withdrawal from the EU.
More changes were also on their way with local authorities agreeing a ‘Devolution Deal ‘to establish the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority in 2017.
The end of this decade saw unprecedented change and increasing financial instability for rural communities and businesses. Many felt that rural communities had become ‘invisible’ and that community self-help, community-ownership and local decision making through the new localism powers were the only way forward.
