A POWERFUL new partnership to drive forward Devon's rural regeneration was hailed as the way forward by 'Countryside Tsar' Lord Haskins at its launch at Two Bridges this week.

Three weeks away from the publication of his Rural Delivery Review, in which he says rural life hinges on the devolution of power from central government, Lord Haskins endorsed the Devon Rural Network which he said was almost 'invented' for his report.

The Government advisor on rural affairs gave the keynote address at the event at the Two Bridges Hotel where 80 delegates signed up to the network which is providing a united force to tackle issues in Devon.

The partnership will give rural Devon a strong voice at regional, national and international level and will bring together all the work being carried out at local level to create a thriving Devon post-foot and mouth.

Lord Haskins said there was a huge amount of money 'swilling around' for the countryside but the difficulty was identifying what the priorities were.

'A local network is vital to find out these priorities — Central Government cannot decide — it needs to be handled at local level,' he said. 'The whole way the foot and mouth crisis was handled was fundamentally flawed because attempts were made to try and sort it out centrally.

'The conclusions of my report are that there should be a devolution of power to regional level and it appears to me that is what the Devon Rural Network is all about. It is the best way and the only way forward.'

Aware that it may be greeted with scepticism, instigators of the network have said the group will be more than just a talking shop: 'We are quite clear that the strategy we have created is useless without practical action,' said chairman Professor Michael Winter from Hatherleigh, who is head of the school of geography, archaeology and earth resources at Exeter University.

'Wish-lists are not enough but you have to create an action plan before we can drive projects forwards for funding — the emphasis for us is on action and not plan.'

Other speakers at the launch, who will be at the forefront of the network, were Professor Ian Mercer, the chairman of Devon's Foot and Mouth Inquiry and David Incoll, chief executive of West Devon Borough Council.

Key aims of the DRN, which have been published in the Devon Rural Strategy document, will be to achieve a prosperous and economically vibrant rural Devon, promote sustainable management of the environment and maximise the value of the county's diversity and distinctiveness.

Prof Mercer said he hoped all the representatives would 'put their shoulders to the wheel' and give up a little of their freedom for the good of the county.

Mr Incoll said a streamlined partnership was essential: 'We need to have one voice for

Devon and we have a real chance here where we can work together and combine our strengths to make a difference.'

Lord Haskins said: 'I have been to Devon eight times in the last two years and am impressed that the momentum to improve the economy straight after the foot and mouth crisis still exists,' he said.

'We must give ownership at the bottom level and help people to help themselves — the Government needs to let go a little bit and I can only hope they take note of my report. Listening is one thing but putting it into practice is another.'