Communities and Local Government (CLG) lead on two cross-department public service agreements. Both have been developed taking account of rural proofing and in discussion with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).
PSA 20
The Delivery Agreement for ‘Increase long-term housing supply and affordability’ encompasses both urban and rural areas. CLG will be working in partnership with DEFRA to ensure issues in rural communities are addressed. As a partner, DEFRA have specific responsibilities with regard housing in rural areas which are set out in paragraph 3.14 of the Delivery Agreement.
The recent housing Green Paper “Homes for the future: more affordable, more sustainable” outlines Government’s plan for delivering the additional homes this country needs. It includes (chapter 1) specific proposals for meeting the rural challenge.
PSA 21
The rural context was considered in developing PSA 21 ‘Build more cohesive, empowered and active communities’. DEFRA play a key role in helping build more cohesive, empowered and active rural communities, which is set out in the Delivery Agreement in paragraphs 3.21 to 3.23 inclusive.