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The Rural Services Network (RSN) is thrilled to announce the National Rural Conference 2024, taking place from 16th to 19th September. This virtual event, accessible via Zoom, is the premier gathering for senior officers, members, policymakers, and rural service professionals.
Further information and booking details can be found here
RSN members are being invited to find out more about how to deliver net-zero homes and low carbon retrofit. The conference on Tuesday 5 September 2023 has three workstreams focussed on net-zero newbuild, low carbon retrofit, and community-led housing. ...
The Government is seeking views from local authorities in England on what constitutes best value and what standards the Secretary of State for Levelling-Up, Housing and Communities should expect. The consultation is looking at how local authorities interpret the...
The Planning Inspectorate is working close with the Department for Levelling-Up, Housing and Communities to review the services offered to Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIP). Areas under consideration include reshaping pre-application service support and looking at how processes could be...
The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has this week launched a new consultation on the best ways we can protect our hedgerows. As the EU’s land-based subsidies are replaced with new farming schemes, there is also...
A review of Homes England, the government’s housing and regeneration agency, has been launched to ensure the body is delivering for the taxpayer. Homes England is one of 40 government Arm’s Length Bodies chosen for a routine review as...
This morning (Tuesday 6 June 2023), the Government announced details of its new initiative “Unleashing Rural Productivity”. Whilst we have yet to see the detailed report, the RSN understands that plans include a boost for rural communities on housing, transport,...
The Guardian reports that a proposal to incentivise households in rural areas to run their heating systems on vegetable oil is to be put to parliament The former environment secretary, George Eustice, will introduce a bill proposing the removal...
The Express reports that analysis by the Campaign to Protect Rural England suggests there are currently more than 400,000 homes with planning permission on greenfield sites Even if planning applications are rejected at local authority level as inappropriate, they...
The Guardian reports that Rishi Sunak has signalled the end of a moratorium on new onshore wind projects in an attempt to head off a row with Tory MPs The prime minister and the business secretary, Grant Shapps, reached...
The Yorkshire Post reports that Liberal Democrat Leader Sir Ed Davey has backed a key policy of the Country Land and Business Association’s (CLA) Rural Powerhouse campaign to create a senior cross departmental Minister for Rural Communities His comments...
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Amid reduced public spending, fair resource allocation across regions is crucial. Despite a population larger than Greater London, rural areas receive significantly less funding for essential services, even though delivering these services in rural areas is more expensive.
Economic growth is widely acknowledged as essential for national wealth and prosperity and is a priority for political parties. Rural economies, employing millions and home to a higher proportion of small businesses, have potential for growth if barriers are removed.
Rural residents face distinct healthcare challenges, including limited access to transport, longer distances to medical facilities, an aging demographic, housing inadequacies, digital connectivity gaps, and difficulties recruiting health and care workers.
Rural communities are grappling with a severe affordable housing crisis, marked by high house prices, a lack of affordable housing, elevated living costs, and lower incomes, threatening their sustainability and vitality.
Transport is vital for the quality of life and economic health of rural areas, yet it faces challenges such as infrequent public bus services and less Government funding compared to urban regions.
Rural areas, encompassing a substantial portion of England's population and land, play a pivotal role in combating climate change and achieving the net zero target.
In an increasingly digital world, the lack of robust digital infrastructure in rural areas severely limits access to crucial services and stifles economic growth.
A future-focused vision for rural communities involves not just building the right homes in the right places but also ensuring thriving, sustainable communities.
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