RDC(3) P&D11
Rural Development Sub-Committee
Inquiry into Poverty and Deprivation in Rural Wales
Response from Church in Wales
Response from the Church in Wales based on Rural Life Advisers (one in each Diocese) and their knowledge of local issues. This has been authored by Revd Robin Morrison, Bishops’ Adviser on Church and Society who convenes the RLA group for the Church in Wales.
General Comments
1 Although the consultation document has asked for further evidence of presenting symptoms of poverty and deprivation, we would argue that this information is already available, not least from local authorities, various rural related organisations and the voluntary sector, as well as previous WAG reports. (see Appendix for one Rural Life Adviser’s description of poverty and deprivation and her suggestions for action) We are not convinced, therefore, of the need for more information of this kind, although we recognise that WAG perceives this as important. There may well be an argument for further details on particular areas of Wales, in which case perhaps local authorities and rural organisations might be useful resources for that. There may well be a need for more anecdotal descriptions of particular themes and more analysis of how different kinds of poverty impact on each other and function as symptoms and causes.
2 The Rural Life Advisers of the Church in Wales would entirely agree that there is continuing evidence of 'rural’ poverty and deprivation including the need for more affordable housing, better transport and access, better infrastructure (including education, health, retail, etc).
3 Definitions of rurality vary as do socio economic conditions. Rurality is a significant part of the identity and self image of Wales even though agriculture itself is less than 2% GDP. Many see Rurality as being defined by its distance - geographically and culturally - from urban areas and resources. For some, the reality of the rural wilderness as a flight from urban areas and stress is the double edged sword of isolation from needed infrastructure and resources, community networks and activities. For many it is the absence of these things that constitute rurality and therefore at all costs rural development projects, more schools, roads and businesses are to be avoided. There are many in this group who view rurality in environmental ways and would argue for localism as the solution to congestion, pollution and stress. This double edged sword cuts both ways and creates both its own kind of idyll for those who are better off and deprivations of different kinds for the 'poor.’ One definition of poverty is to be locked into a particular situation with no way out and no choices. Many do come to experience that in rural areas and this kind of poverty can be claustrophobic and oppressive with its parochial values and life style choices. Others might see close long established kinship groups, culture and language in rural villages as a bulwark against incomers, second homes, modern values etc. In this sense cultural poverty is in the eye of the beholder.
3 Poverty and deprivation may in some rural areas remain more hidden because of the isolation of rural communities and in particular agricultural families. The reluctance of such families to share concerns can become a contributing factor to their own deprivation. Geographical and emotional isolation both affect this deprivation. This is a spiritual issue - with self image at stake too many are afraid of giving a hint of failure to others, including to their own GPs in the case of poor health, in case this puts their economic reputation at stake. It is cultural in the broadest sense - and relates to educational and home values which can isolate people from exposure to alternatives and broader horizons. In this sense people in rural areas share the same problems as people on the edge of larger conurbations (eg the Valleys) who view themselves as being isolated from essential services. One of the tasks of any regeneration programme is to engage with peoples’ perceptions and challenge some assumptions (not least that of the rights agenda which demands in every community the same level of resources eg secondary schools, hospitals, clubs etc as if these things can be planned and provided in this simplistic way).
4 The experience of poverty and deprivation is relative to expectations and comparator groups. There is probably only the smallest pockets of absolute poverty in rural Wales though these may well exist. Relative poverty can motivate people to entrepreneurial alternatives or to cycles of greater dependency. Both choices are cultural and influenced by the language and ethos of WAG statements and actions as much as anything else. Perpetuating a dependency culture in rural parts of Wales is always a great risk. It will do nothing to prepare people from times when CAP and other kinds of structural funds are reduced or disappear.
Specifics
When it comes to the crucial questions 10 and 11,
10. What are the most effective ways of tackling poverty/deprivation for individuals from these groups living in rural parts of Wales?
11. How can these problems be addressed by the Welsh Assembly Government?
The Church in Wales would like to make the following comments. As most of them seem to apply to both questions, we have answered them together.
Overall Position.
1 The crucial challenge is that of finding the cultural and educational routes to more diverse job and wealth creation opportunities. Although economic solutions will by no means solve all the problems of rural poverty in Wales, we view them as being foundational. Not all jobs rescue people from poverty and there are far too many low income employed households across Wales. Not all jobs bring health and wellbeing to human flourishing. However employment can bring new choices and access to new kinds of participation. It provides an opportunity for people to take charge of their lives and involves them in new social networks (in many cases, but not always so in farming). They may still live in areas underserviced by education, health, retail or transport, but would be better able to manage their lives without ready access to these things which are endemic and some would argue essential to rural living.
2 We take very seriously the need for people to live in relationship networks of some or almost of any kind. Social deprivation and poverty clearly has negative results whether or not it is related to economic deprivation and poverty. The family unit can become fractured and dysfunctional so constituting a cause of poverty and deprivation rather than the solution. The close juxta-positioning of housing and housing and community facilities is not of itself a guarantee of positive relational or associational experience. In urban areas people can hate their neighbours or spend many months if not years without talking or meeting with them. By contrast, in many rural areas considerable distance between housing does not prevent positive mutually beneficial and enriching relationships developing.
We make the following more detailed comments.
The culture of dependency including on EU structural funds, has reduced local entrepreneurship. Reversing this trend must be centre stage not just for new WAG policies and actions but in the way it develops language and values about socio economic development in Wales.
Whatever the achievements of local schools in producing greater skills and competencies - much needed - it is the lack of confidence, esteem and positive attitudes which perhaps explains the low performance of Wales economically, as measured for example in its low numbers of VAT registration companies and growth in that area compared with England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Ireland. We want to argue, therefore, for WAG policies which encourage economic development and regeneration across a wide range of opportunities and needs. The appointment of the right head teachers in rural (and all) schools will be crucial. These must be far more creative and risk taking people with more governance autonomy and less political interference. At the WAG level there must be a more seamless approach between those responsible for skills and education and those responsible for economic development - as was promised at the time of the ASBP merger of ELWa and WDA.
In this sense 'WAVE’ was important. However, we were concerned that there didn’t seem at the time to be any link between the 'Rural Development Plan’ and 'WAVE’. We understand that the previous Minister for the Economy argued that economic problems across Wales were the same and, therefore, 'WAVE’ was sufficient and strategic enough to address them all, including those in rural areas. This is a compelling argument, but it is also true that there are particular issues about job creation in some areas of rurality where poverty and deprivation are high.
We are not arguing for the view that WAG is the only agency with the capacity to increase job and wealth creation in Wales. In fact, one strong argument is for less political involvement, both by WAG and local authorities, particularly in the apparently endless production of new regulations, including planning. The more difficult these are perceived to be by potential business people in rural areas, the worse the problem gets.
Wales has to make strategic decisions about its future development. We recognise the argument from some quarters that over-development might be a problem - not least for the environment. However, we do not see that over-development is a real possibility in anything being proposed at the moment. Quite the contrary.
Better more integrated rural transport should be seen as part of a longer term and more ambitious strategic approach across Wales with a positive rather than a hesitant approach to development. It would make sense to explore new settlement hubs at key points in new transport links North South and East West. In parts of rural Wales some small settlements will have to remain dependent on the car, unless new public and private sector deals can be negotiated. But for some the costs of a car will be hard to sustain.
The integration of sustainability issues for economic and social development across Wales is particularly pertinent in rural areas. As we are already seeing, there is a huge potential for environmentally based regeneration start ups and SMEs if the right leadership and skills are in place. This could be even further encouraged by WAG. To create the right context and culture for this, WAG could show a clearer lead on developing Wales as the leading environmentally focused small country in the world. This would attract new ideas and people and help kick start small scale local initiatives across rural Wales.
Appendix
Rev Ariadne Van den Hof’s response - Bangor Diocese.
-Help people achieve measure of control over their own lives -Education (especially post GCSE education, more schools with 6th forms) -Transport -
One way of tackling poverty is to reduce unemployment.
In order to attract more businesses and to support existing businesses it is important to improve transport links. Improvements to the Conwy valley railway line, e.g., would allow the quarries in Blaenau Ffestiniog and the Plastics factory to use the railway line to transport (some of) their products.
-Continued funding for Communities First (type) projects. In Blaenau Ffestiniog, Communities First are working on an exciting project (Outdoor pursuits centre) which will provide employment, it will attract visitors and it will help people get/stay fit.
-Funding for Healthy Living centres. The centre in Maesgeirchen almost closed, in spite of the wonderful work it does, because of insufficient funding. In England government has taken responsibility for the continued funding of Healthy Living Centres, in Wales there is no such provision.
March 2008
