Membership
The Rural Forum has a Steering Group whose membership includes representatives from business, environmental groups, social/ community life, health and education. The four rural district local authorities and the county council all have seats at the table too.
The Chair of the Steering Group is Anne Kelaart, who is a farmer in South Oxfordshire and President of the Oxfordshire branch of the Country Land and Business Association.
The Forum also has a larger 'membership' - anyone in the county with an interest in rural affairs. The Steering Group aims to hold an annual event to bring together this wider group of people to hear about and debate matters of specific rural concern.
Proposed membership of Rural Forum Steering Group
Social issues
- Glyn Evans, Oxford Diocese and Farm Crisis Network
- Linda Watson, Oxfordshire Rural Community Council
- Anny Sharman, Oxfordshire Federation of Women's Institutes
- Alison Baxter, Oxfordshire Community and Voluntary Action
- Lan Jenner, Oxfordshire Primary Care Trust
Economy
- Anne Kelaart, Country Landowners Association
- Philip Wootton, Business Link
- Peter Cox, National Farmers' Union
- Belinda Young, Savills
Environment
- Clare Mowbray, Oxfordshire nature Conservation Forum
- Martin Harris, Environmental Scientist
Education
- Gavin Colborne, Abingdon and Witney College
Local authority representatives
- Dene Robson, West Oxfordshire District Council
- Sally Truman, South Oxfordshire District Council
- Toby Warren, Vale of White Horse District Council
- Kevin Larner, Cherwell District Council
Elected Member representative
- Councillor Roger Belson, Oxfordshire County Council
