T: 01822 851370 E: admin@sparse.gov.uk
AN innovative library service has opened in a small village in Cumbria. Supported by Cumbria County Council and staffed by volunteers, the 'Library Link' is in the reading room in the village of Dent. The village has...
BETTER support is needed for rural communities to deliver their own superfast internet connections. More action would inspire community enterprise initiatives that deliver superfast broadband services in rural areas, says a study. The report, Rural Broadband...
VULNERABLE and older residents are to benefit from additional funding to help them live safely and independently at home. The £15,000 funding boost approved by Derbyshire County Council will support a Handy Van Network that carries out a...
CONCERN over rural services - including a lack of affordable housing and community involvement - is highlighted in a major report. Conducted by the Suffolk ACRE charity, the Rural Services Review sought views from 413 parish and town...
AN influential committee of MPs has criticised local government for 'dumping' incomprehensible spending data on residents. The criticism is contained in a House of Commons Public Accounts Committee report, Implementing the Transparency Agenda , published on Wednesday 1...
RURAL people and businesses risk being left behind by the government's broadband strategy, peers have warned. The House of Lords Communications Committee said the government was preoccupied with faster broadband speeds rather than improving access for residents. ...
The Rural Services Network news service scored top marks in a survey of members. The RSN also scored highly when it came to good policy and practice ideas. Almost 400 members of the Rural Services Network took...
MPs have criticised proposals to relocate Post Offices into other shops offering a reduced range of services. By remodelling small post offices into 'Locals', the government was trying to ensure their long-term viability, acknowledged the Business, Innovation and...
ENERGY supplier Calor is highlighting two studies it has carried out in a bid to alleviate fuel poverty. The work was undertaken in the first and second year of the Calor FREE Fuel Poverty initiative . Carlor...
RURAL youngsters face extra barriers when trying to finding work, training and education, warns a report. The speed at which youngsters have become unemployed or unable to find training and education is increasing faster in rural areas than...
Sign up to receive all our latest news and updates.
Amid reduced public spending, fair resource allocation across regions is crucial. Despite a population larger than Greater London, rural areas receive significantly less funding for essential services, even though delivering these services in rural areas is more expensive.
Economic growth is widely acknowledged as essential for national wealth and prosperity and is a priority for political parties. Rural economies, employing millions and home to a higher proportion of small businesses, have potential for growth if barriers are removed.
Rural residents face distinct healthcare challenges, including limited access to transport, longer distances to medical facilities, an aging demographic, housing inadequacies, digital connectivity gaps, and difficulties recruiting health and care workers.
Rural communities are grappling with a severe affordable housing crisis, marked by high house prices, a lack of affordable housing, elevated living costs, and lower incomes, threatening their sustainability and vitality.
Transport is vital for the quality of life and economic health of rural areas, yet it faces challenges such as infrequent public bus services and less Government funding compared to urban regions.
Rural areas, encompassing a substantial portion of England's population and land, play a pivotal role in combating climate change and achieving the net zero target.
In an increasingly digital world, the lack of robust digital infrastructure in rural areas severely limits access to crucial services and stifles economic growth.
A future-focused vision for rural communities involves not just building the right homes in the right places but also ensuring thriving, sustainable communities.
Sign up to our newsletter to receive all the latest news and updates.