Rural Services Network - Rural Services Network

EFFORTS to preserve a 'picture postcard' countryside are turning rural villages into wealthy ghettos, claims a rural housing expert.

EMERGENCY procedures have been put in place to help local communities facing floods.

PEOPLE living in rural coastal areas have the highest life expectancy in England, confirms a study.

RURAL communities across England are stepping up the drive for better broadband connections.

LESS than a week remains to respond to a call for evidence of the challenges faced by remote communities.

A SECOND round of funding is now open under the Village SOS scheme.

UP TO £100m is available to help households keep warm during 2012/13 – the last year of the Warm Front scheme.

MARKET towns are set to be among the beneficiaries of a £1m fund to help revitalise Britain's high streets.

RURAL residents are warned to be vigilant following a spate of thefts of gas cylinders across the country.

A RURAL local authority is employing the latest crime fighting technology to help deter metal thieves.

RURAL councils are among more than 100 communities that will trial new rights giving residents the power to shape local development.

ONE of England's most rural local authorities has called on the government to tackle fuel poverty.

The government's competition watchdog has issued a call for evidence of the challenges faced by people in remote communities.

A SHORT film called "Over the hill?" aims to raise awareness about the reality of growing old in the countryside.

TV presenter Matt Baker is joining experts to discuss innovative business ideas to rejuvenate rural villages.

YOUNG rural drivers are more likely to be involved in a car crash than urban youngsters, reveals a study.

Government plans to revive tenants' rights to buy their council house are unlikely to work in rural areas, the government has been told.

Rural residents save more money than their urban counterparts, reveals a survey.

A FREE landmark event aims to help rural communities save vital services and reverse the trend of rural decline.

PLANNING experts have called on the government to unlock the potential of the rural economy.

Three parish councils have been chosen to pilot a new way of shaping how their communities will develop.

RURAL districts are among the local authority areas with the highest quality of life, reveals a survey.

GIVING parish and town councils and local people more say on planning proposals in their area will be good for rural communities, suggests a survey.

THE government has called on rural councils to "think outside the box" to deliver more affordable housing.

RURAL residents are among those most likely to suffer from fuel poverty this winter, suggests a report.

RURAL insurers have called for a coordinated approach with police against a rising tide of theft in the countryside.

RURAL residents can now compare their local police performance with other forces at the click of a mouse.

HOUSE prices in the countryside are 16% higher than in urban areas, reveal the latest figures.

HOUSEHOLDS across the country can now apply for a government grant of up to £1,250 to help towards the cost of installing renewable heat systems.

An £80m fund is to provide small grants to community groups and local social action projects.

ENGLAND'S rural communities should be seen a shining example of the Big Society, the government has been told.

A £5m fund for villagers who want to revitalise their local community enterprise has seen its deadline extended.

RURAL residents are being encouraged to form buying groups to reduce the cost of heating oil this winter.

THE Prince's Countryside Fund has re-opened for applications from projects that benefit rural communities.

COMMUNITY leaders have welcomed proposals that will scrap entertainment licensing requirements for village halls.

A RURAL district council has unveiled ambitious plans to build 8,000 affordable homes.

RURAL and market towns are among 36 more communities that will try out new planning powers.

NOMINATIONS are invited for the annual Countryside Alliance Awards, nicknamed Britain's "Rural Oscars".

THE government has unveiled proposals to encourage local authorities to increase the amount of social housing.

UNEMPLOYMENT is an increasingly serious issue among rural youngsters, warns a report.

A NEW campaign aims to help reverse rural decline by encouraging villagers to set their own community enterprises.

A LONG-AWAITED television series about six villages that set up their own community enterprises will be screened this week.

RURAL Britain faces a 76% shortfall in affordable housing, claims a report.

PRINCE Charles has unveiled six new grants worth almost £200,000 for projects that benefit rural communities.

THE Commission for Rural Communities says it will deliver two key projects this year.

FEWER homes will be built under the government's flagship localism policy, claims a report.

The Community Development Foundation has been chosen to deliver the government's £80m Community First programme.

COMMUNITY groups are campaigning for public support of a competition that could see them win up to £60,000.

THE government has called on communities to lay the foundations for building the developments they want in their area.

A NEW guide details ways of using an asset-based approach to community development.