Rural Services Network - Rural Services Network

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.

CUSTOMERS are being driven by minibus to rural pubs threatened with closure.

THE Prince's Countryside Fund has donated £40,000 in emergency relief to two rural charities.

A NEW film highlights the challenges faced by older people living in the countryside.

THE government's Rural Communities Policy Unit is officially starting work in the wake of spending cuts and job losses.

A VILLAGE shop run by volunteers has been awarded a 'rural oscar' for its achievements.

RURAL motorists will still be paying more for fuel – despite a reduction in duty following the Budget.

HIGH fuel prices are forcing rural motorists off the road, the AA has warned.

HOUSE prices in the countryside are now up to £40,000 higher than in urban areas, despite lower average wages.

AN influential committee of MPs has called on the government to show a stronger commitment to upland rural communities.

THE contribution of England's market towns is too often overlooked, says a study by the government's rural watchdog.

LOCAL authorities could be making more use of rural research carried to promote localism and the Big Society, say academics.

RURAL communities are to benefit from a £9.6m investment to build affordable homes in Norfolk.

VOLUNTARY groups need support to build a stronger civil society in the countryside, the government's rural watchdog has warned.

THE economic downturn has made it harder for rural people to buy their own home.

A HOST of rural-related awards were included in the 2011 New Year Honours list.

THOUSANDS of rural people will struggle to heat their homes this winter after the government suspended its Warm Front scheme.