Access to Services
07 Apr 2017
Crime taskforce celebrates anniversary
A POLICE team dedicated to serving rural communities is celebrating its first anniversary – and its 100th arrest. One year in, and North Yorkshire Police’s Rural Taskforce says it is...
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05 Apr 2017
Bank closures to hit rural businesses
A fresh round of bank branch closures threatens to make life difficult for rural firms, say business leaders. Some 100 branches owned by the Lloyds Banking Group are expected to...
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31 Mar 2017
Bus service combats rural isolation
An award-winning bus service is helping rural residents access healthcare, training and employment and leisure services. Tailored to the needs of its passengers, the Bwcabus service serves rural Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion...
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31 Mar 2017
Ofcom seeks broadband investment
Ofcom has announced measures it says will promote investment in new fibre broadband networks. The telecoms watchdog says it wants to protect broadband customers and promote competition, by cutting the...
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27 Mar 2017
Rural schools ‘need fairer funding’
Rural schools will lose out because of an unfair funding formula, the Rural Services Network has warned. Inconsistencies in funding for individual schools with similar characteristics across the country are...
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27 Mar 2017
The Buses Bill: What’s in it for rural services?
The Buses Bill must deliver for rural communities, says Claire Walters. Set for royal assent in May this year, the Buses Bill is being widely heralded as an opportunity to...
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27 Mar 2017
Rural businesses lack reliable broadband
Rural businesses are twice as likely to have inadequate internet connections as those in cities, says a study. Companies say they lack reliable broadband connections, despite ranking fully functional broadband...
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23 Mar 2017
Councils highlight importance of services
Representatives from England’s 10,000 parish and town aim to raise their profile by marching on parliament. The third ever ‘Lobby Day’ by the National Association of Local Councils (NALC) will see...
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20 Mar 2017
Rural ‘idyll’ masks poor rural health
Poor health in rural areas is being “masked” by idyllic images of the countryside, warns a study. Too little is known about the health and wellbeing of people living in...
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15 Mar 2017
Funds for Dorset rural transport
GRANTS of up to £5000 are on offer to communities who want to set up their own rural transport scheme in Dorset. The Community Transport Grant will fund costs associated...
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