THE government's rural watchdog has announced that it will not be publishing a State of the Countryside report this year.

It is the first time since the annual survey was launched in 1999 that the report will not be published.

The Commission for Rural Communities said it would now be producing its State of the Countryside report on a biennial reporting cycle.

"We'll publish the next State of the Countryside report in the summer of 2010," said a commission spokesman.

For the past decade, the reports have painted a picture of social, economic and environmental conditions and change across rural England.

They have raised the profile of rural issues and influenced debate about the challenges and choices facing rural communities.

Last year's report, for example, highlighted an increase in rural poverty and growing inequality between remote rural areas and other parts of the countryside.

Instead of publishing a report in 2009, the commission will host a conference for people interested in rural research.

The event, to be held later this year, will be aimed at analysts and non-rural researchers interested in services, sustainability, economic and governance issues.

The commission said it was continuing to monitor the state of rural England.

"We'll be releasing more of our State of the Countryside Updates over the coming year," said the spokesman.

"We've also produced 10 Big Numbers - a short overview of key rural statistics which we'll update as new data become available."

The State of the Countryside conference will present rural research and analytical work, with discussion and debate to help the commission develop its 2010 report.

External participants will be invited to present their work, chair sessions and respond to others’ findings and conclusions.

More information about the event is expected to follow shortly.

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District councillor
written by Heather Caird, January 09, 2009

We read yet again about the funds being made available for authorities and businesses in the midlands and the north. Does the South not exist?? We have homeless people, businesses in great trouble too, AND we don't benefit from fair central govt settlements, year on year either.

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