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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
A £15m project to boost the rural economy will create more than 3,000 jobs and 700 businesses, claims the government. "Great business ideas have been held back by the challenges of a rural location for far too long,"...
RURAL communities are unlikely to benefit from the government's latest budget, stakeholders have warned. Plans to increase fuel duty are especially likely to hit rural residents and businesses hardest, believe community leaders. The feeling is that any...
A RURAL local authority is employing the latest crime fighting technology to help deter metal thieves. Despite being a small county, Cambridgeshire has the second largest byway mileage in England. The network is enjoyed by walkers, cyclists, riders...
VILLAGES and small towns are bearing the brunt of police station closures, reveals a survey. One third of police stations have closed or are set to close, forcing rural residents to report crimes to officers many miles away,...
RURAL residents pay more to fill up their cars than their urban counterparts, reveals new research. Diesel is 4p per litre more expensive at rural filling stations than at stations in urban areas, the study found. The...
RURAL councils are among more than 100 communities that will trial new rights giving residents the power to shape local development. The fifth wave of communities to use neighbourhood planning powers introduced in the Localism Act was announced...
ONE of England's most rural local authorities has called on the government to tackle fuel poverty. Eddie Martin, leader of Cumbria County Council , said ministers should consider abolishing VAT on energy bills after new figures revealed that...
A £60m rural grant scheme will turn ambitious business plans into reality, claims the government. The Rural Economy Grant scheme was launched by Defra secretary Caroline Spelman on Wednesday (29 February). Grants – which could be worth...
MPs have called on the government to help protect rural cyclists by improving road safety. Speaking in the House of Commons, Liberal Democrat MP Tim Farron (South Lakes) highlighted the need for better protections and training for cyclists....
THE Rural Services Network is looking for examples of good practice in rural service delivery. The call for evidence is part of a commission from Defra , led by Rural Innovation . Stakeholders are being asked to...
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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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