COUNCILS across the region were urged to help transform the rural economy at an action plan's launch yesterday.
The Rural Action Plan, setting out ten key strategies for the countryside, went before a meeting of the North-East Regional Assembly in Durham.
It highlights priorities, including guaranteeing investment in market towns and rural centres, creating integrated transport policies, exploiting technology, encouraging businesses to diversify and reshaping planning policy to meet the countryside's needs.
The plan was drawn up by the Countryside Agency, One NorthEast, the Government Office, the Association of North-East Councils (Anac) and the North-East Regional Assembly in the aftermath of foot-and-mouth.
Ken Manton, vice chairman of Anac, said: "The Rural Action Plan sets out a clear course of action. We want every assembly and association member to go away with a genuine commitment to making real changes on the ground."
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