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26 Jun 2023

Fears that rural communities will be hit by changes to DIY waste charges ban

There are fresh concerns that a new ban on charges to dispose of DIY waste in England will push up costs for rural households. Following a consultation, the Government announced...

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26 Jun 2023

New scheme aims to tackle planning officer recruitment issues

The Government this week announced a new £1.59 million grant to fund and support a pilot scheme aimed at getting graduates into the planning sector. The Pathways to Planning Programme...

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26 Jun 2023

Retrofit bootcamps are back!

Following the successful spring bootcamps, the Social Housing Retrofit Accelerator (SHRA) has launched further in-person sessions this summer. The free events deliver a CPD-accredited Retrofit Essentials course over one day,...

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20 Jun 2023

Going Mobile: New report by Mobile UK reveals 21% of us only access internet through smartphone

A new report by Mobile UK, the industry body for the UK’s Mobile Network Operators (MNOs), has highlighted the growing digital divide between urban and rural areas. ‘From Exclusion to...

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20 Jun 2023

RSN Members help combat loneliness

Last week our members joined the leading UK loneliness charity, The Marmalade Trust, to mark Loneliness Awareness Week 2023. Braintree District Council held a ‘Stop and Chat’ pop up in...

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20 Jun 2023

Government commits to strengthening local care systems

Following the publication of two key reports, the Government has committed to several measures to support Integrated Care Systems (ICS).  The Hewitt Review and the Health and Social Care Committee...

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20 Jun 2023

Changes to DIY waste charges hoped to help combat fly tipping in rural areas

Over the weekend, the Government announced that charges to dispose of DIY waste at household waste recycling centres would be scrapped.  Around a third of Local Authorities still charge for...

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13 Jun 2023

RSN briefs Gove on Rural Unfair Funding

Yesterday afternoon Kerry Booth, RSN Chief Executive, was alongside a group of Council Leaders who met with Rt Hon Michael Gove MP to talk about the Local Government Funding Formula and...

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12 Jun 2023

Government announces new initiative ‘Unleashing Rural Opportunity’

At the Countryside Future Conference last week, the Secretary of State for Rural Affairs, Therese Coffey, unveiled the Government’s new initiative Unleashing Rural Opportunity. She told delegates: “Securing a fine...

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12 Jun 2023

Simon Fell MP announced as UK’s first Rural Connectivity Champion

The Barrow and Furness MP, Simon Fell, has been announced as the UK’s first Rural Connectivity Champion.  The role was first detailed as part of the Wireless Infrastructure Strategy unveiled...

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