Rural Services Network - Rural Services Network

CERTAIN key components can be identified as underpinning strategies for rural economic change and innovation, finds Brian Wilson.

MORE communities need to understand the Community Rights before they will use them, writes Brian Wilson.

LOCAL food sales are strong generators of jobs, among other benefits, according to research reviewed by Brian Wilson.

ILLEGAL money lending is a problem across the country - including in rural communities.

A FLURRY of deprivation statistics once again struggles to measure rural needs adequately, says Brian Wilson.

THERE are lesson to be learnt from the independent examiner's report on the draft Upper Eden Neighbourhood Plan, writes Brian Wilson.

NEW research suggests that the type of housing available in rural areas is what most explains its lack of affordability, finds Brian Wilson.

RURAL communities need capacity-building support if they are all to meet the challenge of austerity, writes Brian Wilson.

DEMAND for mobile access to broadband will continue to grow rapidly in rural areas, writes Brian Wilson.

NEW guidance aimed at local authorities assuming public health responsibilities is helpful, but it needs a rural dimension, argues Brian Wilson.

ARE there any issues coming out of welfare reform for those in rural housing? Stuart Davies finds out.

SHOULD the government heed MPs' advice and make significant changes to its draft planning policy?

The revitalised Right to Buy - what does it mean for rural communities? Stuart Davies investigates.

Is the Big Society failing to deliver? Yes, says Gordon Morris.

AXING rights of way services would devastate the rural economy, argues Marilyn Meeks.

A supermarket ombudsman would help rural retailers thrive, says Ken Parsons.

Rural expert Gordon Morris has big doubts about the government's drive for a “Big Society”.

GLOBAL comparisons of rural issues can be both informative and misleading, writes Brian Wilson.

WHAT will rural England look after the general election? Robert Bullard gives his predictions.

The massive shortfall in affordable housing is still a critical rural issue, says Charley May.

A cold winter has made an already challenging year harder for rural businesses, says Charley May.

THE countryside remains an enigma for far too many children, says Charley May.

Micro-finance schemes can help rural people into employment, says Jaki Bayly.

Changes to licensing legislation continue to ignite debate, writes Brian Wilson.

CRAFTY publicity by BT is accelerating the demise of traditional red phone boxes.

Market towns are too often ignored by government policy, argues Robert Bullard.

RURAL areas have escaped the worst of the recession, argues Robert Bullard.

What does the new rural proofing toolkit mean for you? Robert Bullard finds out.

Government policies still discriminate against rural residents, says Brian Wilson.

Challenges around cohesion arise for numerous reasons within communities.

THE ability of market towns to solve rural problems must not be compromised.

SMALL rural leisure centres can reduce their running costs, writes Mel Staton.

True examples of joined up working are hard to find, writes Darren Cole.

TRADITIONAL markets can be central to town regeneration, says Helen Fairweather.

PROBLEMS of rurality seem to be intractable, writes Gordon Morris.

FASTER broadband could again leave rural areas behind, says Brian Wilson.

The government must help students with transport, says Sue Dutton.

PUBLIC services are a critical beneficiary of innovation, says Jonathan Kestenbaum.