Role of the NFLG

The Offer - What NFLG Will Do

NFLG provides regional (and sub-regional) representation, lobbying, advice and information for the land based industries in northern England, including farms and private estates, championing their role in rural economic and community regeneration. Although regionally focussed, NFLG champions relevant issues at a national level via links to Defra Ministers, local MPs and MEPs.

NFLG represents the land based business sector to Government, its agencies and other Non Government Organisations with an influence and impact on land use and management decisions (e.g. Natural England, Environment Agency, English Heritage, Defra RDPE programme team, Rural Payments Agency, Forestry Commission, Local Authorities, National Park Authorities, NE Local Enterprise Partnership, NE Farm and Rural Advisory Network, NGOs etc).

This is delivered by Angus Collingwood-Cameron working under contract to the Membership. The service is low cost, with little in the way of overheads or expensive infrastructure. It makes best use of the web and online activity, maintaining a website (a basic version is currently under construction) and disseminating information via a monthly newsletter via email.

Angus is available to support Members and proactively maintains and creates relationships with key organisations, providing access and support to Members where necessary.

NFLG The Organisation

NFLG has been established by a group of farmers and landowners that are frustrated that there is no North East based organisation providing regional representation for the land based sector. It is, first and foremost, a membership organisation run by its Members for the benefit of its Members.

Membership is open to all land owners, farmers, managers, rural businesses and organisations in the area, subject to payment of an annual subscription.

Implementation

angus_collingwood-cameron.jpgAngus Collingwood-Cameron (pictured left) will be employed in the North East using his existing office near Alnwick. Angus has worked in the rural policy and representation sector in the North East for the last 10 years. He is uniquely placed to represent and assist the land based sector in the region, utilising his contacts and networks built up over the last decade.

Services to Members

Angus Collingwood-Cameron will be available to members via phone, Skype and email 5 days a week. He will represent the NFLG membership at relevant  meetings in the North East. An initial list of targeted meetings would include:

  • North East Farm & Rural Advisory Network
  • Defra RDPE Stakeholders Group
  • RPA Stakeholders
  • Environment Agency Regional Stakeholders meeting
  • Forestry Commission Regional Advisory Committee
  • Durham & Northumberland Rights of Way Liaison Groups
  • Northumberland Fire Group
  • Durham Rural Action Group

In addition, regular meetings will be held with high level representatives of the unitary authorities, the National Park, the Local Enterprise Partnership, Natural England and Defra as required.

Angus will maintain a close working relationship with these organisations (and other relevant groups as appropriate) and will provide a flow of intelligence and timely information to Members about their activities, their agenda and any emerging policy or programmes which pose a threat or generate opportunity. He will be able to assist Members with their dealings with these organisations within the region.

He will also be able to provide Members with general advice and signpost Members to sources of more specific advice as well as funding. Angus’ engagement with all relevant bodies in all rural sectors across the region will provide an unparalleled over view of rural policy delivery and formulation in the North East.

Member Benefits

These will include:

  • High level representation across the region
  • Regular regionally specific information, including new sources of funding
  • Regional lobbying, including consultation responses, to all relevant North East based government bodies and local authorities
  • High level access to government bodies in the region
  • National representation of northern issues in the land based sector
  • Signposting to funding, specific advice and relevant contacts
  • Access to general advice and assistance
  • Use of web forum for knowledge exchange and B2B activity

Membership

Membership is via annual subscription as per the table below. Currently, payment can only be made by cheque made payable to “Northern Farmers and Landowners Group”.

Alternative methods of payment are being established. When considering what level of subscription to provide, Members can, if they so wish (see below), reduce their subscription by one band if the majority of their holding is located within the LFA or comprised of forestry, or if it is a charitable body, with £100 still being the minimum subscription.

Band Subscription £ pa
Small (<400 acres) 100
Medium (400-1000 acres 200
Large (>1000 acres) 300
Great Estates 500
Professional businesses 200
Public/third sector 200
Sole Trader/Other businesses 100