29/04/2026 - RSN Seminar: Rural Economy

You can download the agenda for the day here

The Speaker Presentations can be downloaded below:

Kerry Booth, Chief Executive, Rural Services Network "Welcome & Introduction to the topic of Rural Economy" (Download presentation here)

Professor Jeremy Phillipson, Director and Melanie Thompson-Glen, Head of Business and Innovation,  National Innovation Centre for Rural Enterprise "Combined Authorities and the rural lens: establishing the North East Coastal and Rural Task Force" (Download presentation here)

Katie Dalsgaard, Strategic Growth and Skills Manager, Cornwall Council "The Future Funding Landscape for Economic Growth- the impact for rural areas" (Download presentation here)

Lisa Courtney, Town Clerk, Saffron Walden Town Council "Making a Difference" (Download presentation here)

An AI generated summary of this seminar can be downloaded below:

Speakers and related links:

Kerry Booth, Chief Executive, Rural Services Network
https://www.rsnonline.org.uk/page/our-team/kerry-booth/

Professor Jeremy Phillipson
Director, NICRE (National Innovation Centre for Rural Enterprise)

Melanie Thompson-Glen
Head of Business and Innovation, NICRE
“Combined Authorities and the rural lens: establishing the North East Coastal and Rural Task Force”
https://nicre.co.uk/
www.nicre.co.uk/NETaskforce  

Katie Dalsgaard
Strategic Growth and Skills Manager, Cornwall Council
“The Future Funding Landscape for Economic Growth- the impact for rural areas”
https://www.cornwall.gov.uk/

Cornwall Good Growth Plan
https://www.cornwall.gov.uk/business-trading-and-licences/economic-development/good-growth-plan/

Lisa Courtney
Town Clerk, Saffron Walden Town Council
“Making a Difference”
https://saffronwalden.gov.uk/

Useful Links

RSN Fair Funding Campaign
https://rsnonline.org.uk/fairer-funding-campaign

RSN Delivering for All Campaign
https://www.rsnonline.org.uk/delivering-for-all

RSN Delivering for All - Rural Realities Research
https://rsnonline.org.uk/delivering-for-all-rural-realities-research

Statistical Digest for Rural England
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/statistical-digest-of-rural-england

Rural Economic Bulletin February 2026
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/698db176492ea446ea7f42f8/7_Rural_Economic_Bulletin_11_02_2026_v2.pdf

Labour Rural Research Group call for rural economy evidence
https://www.labourruralresearchgroup.com/about-3
https://rsnonline.org.uk/call-for-evidence-on-the-future-of-the-rural-economy

Labour Rural Research Group Members
https://www.labourruralresearchgroup.com/team-3

RSN Events
Our next seminar is on Rural Transport on Wednesday 3 June we are also co-hosting a Social Value Meeting on Wednesday 17 June, please use the link below to book.
https://rsnonline.org.uk/images/meetings/online-seminars/2026/programme.pdf

National Rural Conference 2026 – open for bookings!
https://cdn1.ourmailsender.com/userContent/39878/fileManager/45077/2026_Rural_Conference_flyer.pdf 
If you would like to present at the Conference or have any ideas for speakers you would like featured, please email [email protected]

Links shared by delegates

Digital Street Hubs for Councils
https://business.bt.com/public-sector/street-hubs/street-hubs-for-councils/