Executive's Rural Residents' Forum is planning ahead

THE new Rural Residents' Forum has met to firm up an agenda of rural issues for discussion and action.

The broad spectrum of topics demonstrates that Rural Residents’ concerns are not only about where they live and what type of house they have, it is also about how they live, with community issues taking centre stage.

The Forum, which was set up by the Housing Executive as part of its ‘Rural Homes and People Policy’, is made up of community group representatives from both the public and private sector and is facilitated by the Rural Community Network. It examines rural housing issues and provides a mechanism for key concerns to be brought forward to the Housing Executive. Michael Conway, the Housing Executive’s Rural Coordinator explains: “We know from previous consultations that rural dwellers wanted a louder voice in developing the policies that directly affect them. The Housing Executive listened and set up the Rural Residents’ Forum. We are looking forward to working with them to try to ensure that rural communities remain vibrant and sustainable.

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“There will be 15 members on this regional Forum and while we have a good spread of existing members there are still a few gaps in representation.

“If you are involved with a rural community group in the North West, the Ards Peninsula or South Down/Armagh and you could make a good contribution to the Rural Residents’ Forum then get in contact with me on 028 90 318559 for a chat.”

Michael Hughes, Director of Rural Community Network added, “The Forum has now met on two occasions and has already drawn up a list of key topics that will form the basis of its meetings in the immediate future. The topics include how the Housing Executive identifies the need for new homes in rural areas, the work of neighbourhood wardens and rural homelessness.

“We aim to ensure that issues like these are examined from a rural perspective, to see if different approaches are required and to make recommendations to the Housing Executive for future action.”

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