Northumberland members raised key issues with North East Mayor Kim McGuinness when they met on farm on Tuesday 20 January.
The meeting took place on Northumberland Vice-chair Graham Rutherford’s farm near Morpeth.
Kim toured the farm with Graham and Northumberland County Adviser Charlotte Dring before heading to a roundtable discussion with County Chair Mac Young, NFU Support Schemes Adviser Fergus Starkey and 12 members.
A range of issues impacting Northumberland members were discussed, including education and skills gaps. They discussed the need to bring education on food and where it comes from into schools at an early age. Members also raised concern around driving test availability and outlined the effect this has on the agricultural and rural industry.
The group also discussed connectivity in rural areas and the knock-on effects that lack of wifi, broadband or signal have on farms, with one member sharing his own experience.
The Mayor heard members’ experiences of planning permission processes and the effect delays have on schemes now and issues these delays could cause in the future.
They also discussed rural tourism and rural crime. It was agreed a meeting with the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) would be arranged, as well as an event to showcase Northumberland farming in May.
A good two-way discussion
Charlotte Dring, Northumberland County Adviser, said: “Thank you to all the members who came along and put their questions to the Mayor.
“It was great to see different members join us to share their stories and examples with Kim to really bring home the issues that they face.
“Everyone was happy with the meeting, it was great to meet Kim. Everyone had a fair chance to speak and air their questions. No one expects a quick fix to everything, but the meeting was to make the Mayor aware of the issues and try to find a pathway to improve those issues together. It was a really good two-way discussion. I look forward to keeping that engagement going.
“We’re keen to demonstrate what Northumberland farmers can do for the community and showcase what we do, which we plan to do by holding an event on farm with the Mayor in May.”
Northumberland Vice-chair Graham Rutherford, who hosted the meeting, said: “I’d like to thank the Mayor for coming out on farm to see what we do and give local farmers the opportunity to ask questions around important issues and get her views.
“It was good to find out just what her powers are and what she has control of, so that was quite useful to hear. The Mayor spoke well and members said it had been a useful meeting.”