Buckinghamshire Rural Affairs Group (BRAG), in partnership with Milton Keynes, is the independent rural voice for the county and its rural communities.
It is coordinated in partnership through its membership of rural organisations, the private sector and also local authorities - BELP provides both management and secretarial support. Through its high level membership and strategic role, BRAG is able to act as a lobbying body whilst raising the profile of the rural agenda. In doing so, it looks to respond to the most pertinent issues and influencing positive change.
BRAG consists of a wider membership and an executive Steering Group that meets regularly to discuss issues and monitor areas of work. This is, in turn, informed by a number of appointed Issue Groups who look more closely at the most pertinent topics as identified within the Rural Strategy and Action Plan - documents which BRAG is committed to delivering over the period 2008-2012.
Currently, BRAG's main areas of focus are:
- The continued evolution and development of BRAG and its role as the independent voice for Rural Affairs is Bucks and MK.
- Overseeing the implementation, delivery and monitoring of the new Rural Strategy 2008-2012.
- Overseeing the 3rd annual BRAG 2008 Conference - 23/11/09, Mentmore Golf Club.
- Continued support to rural projects and initiatives such as the LEADER, the Rural Access to Services Programme, the Rural Safety Initiative, Pitstone and Ivinghoe Network for Enterprise (PINE) etc.
- A commitment to deliver a strategic influence through representation on the new South East Rural Forum.
- Commissioning and developing a variety of rural research, driven by the needs and gaps identified within the Rural Strategy.
- Lobby and influencing through links to relevant decision-making bodies, and by the involvement in consultations through the production of reports and commentary.
BRAG is currently coordinated by Chris Rawson (Economic Development Officer) at BELP.
For more information call 01296 382743 or email chris@belp.co.uk