T: 01822 851370 E: [email protected]
Rural Communities
East Suffolk Council has introduced a new Rural Development Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) designed to guide rural development and ensure it aligns with the area's unique character and needs. This SPD complements the East Suffolk - Suffolk...
Plunkett UK , a charity supporting community ownership across the UK, has released its 2024 Impact Report , highlighting the transformative effect of community-owned businesses in rural areas. In this article, the Rural Services Network focuses on the impact...
Royal Mail has announced a proposed overhaul of its service, aiming to address the challenges of plummeting letter volumes and financial losses. The proposal includes maintaining a six-day-a-week delivery service for first-class letters but reducing the frequency of...
In the heart of England's picturesque countryside, where the pulse of rural communities beats strongest, the Rural Services Network (RSN) is excited to announce the launch of the Rural Village Service Group (RVSG). This initiative comes on the heels of...
The recent report by the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), “ Delivering Rural Opportunity ,” casts a spotlight on Rural Exception Sites as a promising avenue to mitigate the rural housing crisis. The document elaborates on significant...
The Chancellor’s announcement of £5 million towards the Platinum Jubilee Village Hall Fund for England is a significant win for rural communities. This timely injection of funds arrives as we approach Village Halls Week, a celebration of these crucial community...
The Government has recently published a policy paper, which lays out the 12 Levelling Up Missions and the metrics that the Government will use to measure progress against these missions. 2 of the Missions were originally set out as exploratory...
In a substantial boost to rural businesses, the Rural Business Grants scheme has been launched in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. With a commitment of £1 million, this initiative aims to empower rural enterprises, from farms to tourism providers,...
ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) is celebrating the crucial role that rural shops play in thousands of communities across the UK as part of the launch of the 2024 Rural Shop Report. The 2024 Rural Shop Report, launched...
The Royal Countryside Fund brought together community projects from across the UK for the inaugural Confident Rural Communities conference Image: Rural communities gathered in Skipton (credit - Lucy Saggers) At a unique event focused...
NEWSLETTER
Sign up to receive all our latest news and updates.
HOT TOPICS
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.
SIGN UP TO OUR NEWSLETTER
Sign up to our newsletter to receive all the latest news and updates.
Part of and working with:
