Access to Services
04 Feb 2016
Rural areas ‘need better broadband’
A new report into broadband access shows the “dire” level of availability in rural areas, says Lib Dem leader Tim Farron. The Westmorland and Lonsdale MP said urgent action should...
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04 Feb 2016
Rural bus services ‘being wiped out’
RURAL bus services are being wiped out as local authorities are forced to slash transport budgets, say campaigners. Millions of pounds cut from essential everyday services were leaving local subsidised...
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03 Feb 2016
Elderly a ‘priority’ as funding cuts bite
Somerset County Council says it is prioritising the elderly as it considers its first council tax increase for six years amid falling government funding. Proposals being discussed by the local...
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02 Feb 2016
Councillor Roger Begy OBE
It is with great sadness and deepest regret we announce that former Rural Services Network chairman Roger Begy OBE has died following a short battle with cancer. Councillor Begy, who...
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02 Feb 2016
Government faces ‘major revolt’ over rural funding
Up to 50 Tory MPs are preparing to vote against the government’s proposed funding settlement for rural local authorities. Prime Minister David Cameron faces a ‘major backbench Tory rebellion” over...
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27 Jan 2016
Listen to MPs on rural funding, government ministers told
THE Rural Services Network has told the government it must listen to MPs on the vital issue of rural funding. The network issued the warning after MPs slammed a proposed...
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22 Jan 2016
‘Disastrous’ proposals beggar belief
Government plans threaten to leave rural residents facing a hike in council tax and much reduced services. The Rural Services Network outlined its concerns as the government prepares to decide...
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19 Jan 2016
Funding settlement is ‘fundamentally unfair’
The government’s provisional funding settlement is fundamentally unfair for rural communities, the Rural Services Network has warned. The network outlined its concerns to the proposed settlement in response to a...
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15 Jan 2016
Government slammed over rural funding
MPs have blasted the government’s proposed funding settlement for rural areas, describing it as unfair and inadequate. The issue of government funding for rural areas was the subject of a...
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14 Jan 2016
Dorset closes in on broadband target
A partnership to provide 90,000 homes and business with superfast broadband has reached 80% of its target. The Superfast Dorset partnership has made fibre broadband available to more than 72,000...
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