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The BBC report that a recent survey undertaken by the County Councils Network (CCN) shows several local authorities could be forced into ‘damaging’ cuts to services next year to remain solvent. Only one in five of England's county councils and...
The Guardian has reported on warnings that cuts and a lack of support from central government have hampered local authority attempts to tackle climate change Three-quarters of local authorities across the UK have issued climate emergency declarations over the...
Local papers including the Shropshire Star and The Westmorland Gazette have reported that there were 4.1 billion bus journeys taken in 2019-20 across England, down 6 percent from 2018-19 and 12 percent from 2014-15 At the same time bus...
A trade publication, Commercial Drone Professional, has reported that a consortium working to establish an Emergency Medical Drone Airbridge between Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly has secured funding from the Government The project will see unmanned aerial vehicles...
WalesOnline has reported that the UK’s first autonomous delivery vehicle has been trialled this week, giving a glimpse into how technology could transform the parcel delivery industry ‘Kar-go’ uses artificial intelligence and a specially developed package management system to...
The Institute of Economic Development (IED) and the Rural Services Network (RSN) have devised a new practitioner-focused toolkit which is intended as a guide for “anyone seeking to raise rural relevance in the economic agenda”. The Rural Economy...
The website LocalGov.co.uk reports that the Local Government Association (LGA) is urging the Government to work with councils to develop a clear lockdown exit strategy The LGA said that Whitehall must learn from the past seven months to work...
The Guardian reports that record demand for countryside houses has driven prices to a four-year high. Prices for rural houses, including cottages, farm houses and manor houses, rose two per cent in the three months to September from the previous...
Local news outlet In Your Area writes about a new service which will allow residents to call a bus to stop at their house The ‘dial-a-bus’ service will mean passengers can request to be picked up by a bus...
The Rural Services Network was concerned to read the article in Local Gov this week which highlighted research from Knight Frank indicating that ‘a disproportionate amount of Government funding for housing is being given to the UK’s most affluent areas’....
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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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