Winter 2024 Rural Services Partnership Spotlight
Welcome to the Winter 2024 Rural Services Partnership Spotlight In our first edition for the year, we focus on our upcoming seminar programme and highlight news and best practice from some of our members including articles on village halls and energy efficiency, rural mental health, national park funding, home sharing and more. Happy reading! We […]
The Rural Services Network Champions Fair Funding and Growth in Parliament
In a significant move towards addressing the longstanding disparities in rural communities, the Rural Services Network (RSN) successfully launched the ‘Winning the Rural Vote’ campaign in Parliament last week
Tackling Rural Rough Sleeping at a Local Level
A report launched last week by the Rural Homelessness Counts Coalition, has set out a number of innovative ideas and practical recommendations for combating rural rough sleeping at a local level.
Employment of people living in rural and coastal communities
The House of Commons Library recently published a report to inform Westminster Hall debate held on 1 February. The report highlighted that rural and coastal constituencies tend to have different types of businesses to those elsewhere. Professional, scientific and technical businesses make up about 14% of all businesses in the UK, but slightly less than 10% of businesses in predominantly rural and coastal constituencies.
Unlocking Growth: Rural Business Grants Now Available for Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Businesses
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, and food and drink producers.
Rural Insight: Government’s Childcare Incentive – A Step Forward but Is It Enough?
In rural communities, where services are often stretched thin, the Government’s recent unveiling of a £1,000 cash incentive, coupled with a national campaign to elevate the profile of early-years educators, is being met with mixed reactions.
Uniting for a Sustainable Future: Insights from RSN’s Rural Net Zero Seminar
Our Rural Net Zero seminar held last week was the first in our popular seminar programme for 2024! It focused on methods and initiatives aimed at attaining carbon neutrality in rural regions. The seminar spotlighted key topics such as Cornwall Council’s journey to carbon neutrality, the adaptation of Climathon methodology in rural settings, and tactics for reducing carbon emissions in rural residences. Presentations by Nick Hayden, Prof. Damian Maye, Dr. Aimee Morse, and Helen Ball offered valuable perspectives on present strategies and future approaches for fostering sustainability and environmental responsibility in rural communities.
Fair Funding
Sparse Rural represents rural local authorities and is campaigning for Fairer Funding for Rural Areas. Rural Areas are currently unfairly underfunded in the Local Government Finance Settlement. The latest Local Government Finance Statement was published on 28 November 2024, click here to read the RSN’s initial response and our recent Press Release and letter to […]
