The Forum plays a vital role in bringing together different rural interests, including private, voluntary and public sector representatives. Our regular, themed, Forum events give the opportunity to join-up grass roots needs and perspectives with sub-regional, regional and national policy-making and development.
The rural agenda continues to evolve and change as policies are redefined and I hope that the Forum provides continuity, a process you can trust and makes you feel valued. Each event we hold produces a meaningful output; a response to a consultation, or peer group testing of potential new projects or service delivery. We hope that these meetings increase your understanding of the latest developments in rural policy and also enable you to forge strong networks with fellow members.
All of us on the Forum Executive Group want to make a real difference where it matters within the North West’s rural communities themselves. Change is constant and our direction is steered by the North West Regional Rural Delivery Framework, which keeps individual actions focused on key priorities.
Ultimately, the Forum is about relationships and effective communications. It will be successful if we all work at it and constantly review performance. We welcome feedback from Forum members raising emerging keys on the ground at the coalface. I intend to explore changes to the working of the Forum with the Executive Group and Secretariat to maximise our effectiveness. If you have any ideas on this front, then please approach me via the Secretariat or direct, at a Forum meeting.
I look forward to seeing you at Forum events and with your continued support we will change things for the better.
Enough from me, actions speak louder than words!
Jack Ellerby
Chairman
21 August 2006
