The Rural Vision has been commissioned by the WLGA Rural Forum – representing the nine predominantly rural local authorities of Anglesey, Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Conwy, Denbighshire, Gwynedd, Monmouthshire, Pembrokeshire and Powys – to develop a strategic framework for future policy impacting on rural Wales and to identify key policy asks for the Welsh and UK Governments.
The Rural Vision reflects the shared challenges faced by the WLGA Rural Forum members and their territories, from lower population densities, distance from major population centres and transport infrastructure, higher costs of delivery for public services, and the impacts of broad social and economic trends on rural communities.
This Evidence Report presents the evidence supporting the Rural Vision. It outlines evidence on the current socio-economic position of rural Wales, the challenges and opportunities presented by Brexit, and the impact of COVID-19, and considers scenarios for potential pressures on rural communities over the next ten years. The report subsequently summarises the rationale for the specific priorities and proposals presented in the Rural Vision, providing indicative detail on how they might be developed and implemented, and illustrated with case studies of relevant examples of existing good practice.