elections
23 Feb 2026
May 2026 Local Elections Confirmed to Proceed
Following legal advice, the Secretary of State has withdrawn his original decision to postpone 30 local elections due to take place in May 2026. He has written to council leaders and key stakeholders to confirm this...
Read more22 Apr 2025
Will Metro Mayors Deliver for the Countryside?
On Thursday 1 May 2025, voters in parts of England will head to the polls to elect metro mayors for several combined authority areas. These roles come with strategic powers...
Read more20 Jan 2025
Election Postponements Requested by Eighteen Local Councils Amid Governance Overhaul
Eighteen local councils in England have formally requested to delay their upcoming May elections until next year to facilitate significant structural changes to local government. The proposed postponements are intended...
Read more08 Jul 2024
LGA Announces New Chair Following General Election Result
In the wake of the recent General Election, significant changes have been announced within the Local Government Association (LGA). Cllr Shaun Davies has officially stepped down from his position as...
Read more05 Jul 2024
Delivering for Rural
Please note: This document has now been superseded by our latest publication,Delivering for All: A Roadmap for Rural Prosperity, launched in July 2025. While Winning the Rural Vote reflected our...
Read more17 Jun 2024
And what for rural in the manifesto?
Our Chief Executive Kerry Booth has been reviewing the manifesto from the main political parties over the last week to see what they are promising for rural communities. With almost...
Read more07 May 2024
Invitation to Newly Elected Councillors and Existing Members
In the wake of last week’s local council elections, the Rural Services Network (RSN) extends a warm invitation to all newly elected councillors of our member councils to join our...
Read more07 Mar 2022
Boundary Commission for England will listen to public on proposed new map of constituencies at three hearings
Scarborough News reports that the Boundary Commission for England is inviting the public to attend its upcoming public hearings in Leeds, Hull, and Northallerton, as part of a consultation taking...
Read more20 Dec 2021
Tories lose North Shropshire seat they held for nearly 200 years
The BBC report how the Conservatives have lost the North Shropshire seat they held for nearly 200 years to the Liberal Democrats in a by-election blow to Boris Johnson Winner...
Read more04 May 2021
Elections 2021: Why a lack of buses is a key issue for voters
Ahead of the local elections, the BBC interviews young people across the country who have struggled with dwindling bus services The article outlines how across England both local and central...
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