24 Mar 2026
Following our previous coverage of the Royal Town Planning Institute’s calls to strengthen the recognition of rural communities within the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill , there has been a further development ahead of the Bill’s next stage in the House of Lords.
Report Stage debates are scheduled to take place on 24 and 26 March, and again after the Easter recess on 13 April.
The RTPI has confirmed that its proposed rural amendment — a “Duty to consider the needs of rural communities” — has been re-tabled for Report Stage by Baroness Royall. The amendment has also been co-signed by Lord Best and Lord Cameron of Dillington.
The amendment seeks to ensure that rural needs are explicitly recognised within devolved governance and decision-making.
The RTPI hopes that the re-tabling of the rural duty will prompt a stronger and more explicit commitment from Government to recognising rural communities within the Bill.
To build support, the Institute is encouraging stakeholders to share the amendment with House of Lords contacts and support it during the upcoming debates.
