Following the launch of North Yorkshire County Council’s Rural Commission, the Yorkshire Post reports that members have spoken of their confidence in producing ‘significant’ work

According to the Council, rural communities ‘stand at a crossroads’ and like England’s largest county, North Yorkshire, they face ‘unprecedented challenges’ due to scattered populations, lack of affordable housing, a high school closure rate and Brexit uncertainty.

Leah Swain, chief executive of Community First Yorkshire, a charity working with rural communities, commented: ‘In the absence of a Government rural strategy, we need to be ambitious for our own rural economy, think differently about how we provide affordable housing, innovate in health and social care services and ensure our young people can actually travel to education and jobs.’