Last week, the National Rural Conference, organised by the Rural Services Network took place with attendance increasing from the previous year by over 50% which shows the increasing importance of discussions on dedicated rural policy and issues.

The conference included a keynote session with Rt Hon Lord Benyon, the then Minister for Rural Affairs, Access to Nature and Biosecurity who set out some of the challenges facing rural communities, and the ‘need not just for levelling up, but also levelling out. Out of the town to the village and beyond, up the valley to the remotest farming communities.’  He also focused on the need for improved connectivity in rural areas.  He highlighted the Rural England Prosperity Fund which is aimed at reducing the rural productivity gap.

The Rural Services Network used the conference week to launch some new research into the Rural Cost of Living Crisis and this was a focus at a panel discussion where the research was presented.  The research, carried out by Kovia Consulting highlighted how ‘Rural communities are facing a triple blow in the cost-of-living crisis, as higher domestic and transport energy poverty, coupled with lower wages, pushes rural areas into a cost-of-living emergency.’ 

More details about this research can be found at this link

The conference sessions included a mixture of expert speakers, some focusing on strategic policy elements whilst others shared case studies and examples of projects delivering for their rural communities with topics covered including Rural Economic Regeneration, Rural Health, Care and wellbeing, Rural Affordable Housing, Rural Transport and Rural Net Zero, along with a session on the recent work and campaigns of the RSN.

The conference was supported by the National Innovation Centre for Rural Enterprise (NICRE), along with conference sponsors Airband, Arqiva, Gemserv and Oftec. 

Councillor Motley, Chair of the Rural Services Network and Councillor for Shropshire Council said:

"The RSN National Rural Conference manages to successfully inspire delegates who hear from a range of expert speakers on key rural issues to help them in the design of services that meet the needs of rural communities.  The struggle of increased pressures on diminishing budgets to deliver services means that it is so vital to take time out to discuss and reflect on challenges and hear how other rural providers are finding solutions so that we can learn from each other."