This datasheet contains information about the availability and accessibility of services in rural areas. Download the full text as an Excel document: http://www.ruralcommunities.gov.uk/files/Availability_2007_analysis1.xls

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2 October 2008
© Commission for Rural Communities

The results of our Great Rural Debate on Schools poll are in. We asked you if a rural community can thrive without a local school? Just over 60 percent of voters said no. The Great Rural Debate on Schools was launched to tie in with the recent consultation on the Scottish Government’s proposals to change the way school closures are handled. The issue is a complex one - and we recognise that the poll is just a snapshot. To kickstart debate, Dr Kate Braithwaite from Carnegie UK Trust and north-east parent Paulina Johnston gave their views on the subject. Rural Gateway members have been adding comments about the issue. You can read these valuable contributions and comments, and join the discussion at Great Rural Debate on Schools: http://www.ruralgateway.org.uk/cgi-bin/item.cgi?id=2373&d=11&h=24&f=46

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3 October 2008
© Rural Gateway

Reacting to today’s speech by Eric Pickles MP, the Shadow Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, CPRE’s Senior Planning Campaigner Paul Miner said: ‘We are glad to see the Conservatives state their support for the Green Belt as a green lung. This is particularly pleasing as recent pronouncements of a think-tank close to the party have given us cause for concern. We also welcome the clear statement that a Conservative Government would abolish the proposed Infrastructure Planning Commission, which will be unelected, expensive, ineffective and unnecessary.’

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2 October 2008
© CRDP

The CLA today (25 September) slammed the Government’s refusal to accept two parliamentary committees’ views on coastal access – denying landowners the chance to appeal against the new right of public access being imposed over their land. The Government rejected the Efra Committee’s finding that the “lack of a formal appeal process is a fundamental weakness” of the draft Marine Bill. An appeals system had also been recommended by the Joint House of Lords and House of Commons Committee. However, today the Government declared it did not feel an “appeals process would be appropriate”. CLA President Henry Aubrey-Fletcher said: “It is absurd, unjust and unfair that the Government has rejected an independent right of appeal on the spurious grounds that the cost of all the appeals against the right to roam introduced in 2000 was disproportionably ‘lengthy and expensive’. “In fact, two thirds of all appeals against the right to roam were successful. It is ridiculous the Government now seems to assume its system is infallible.” The CLA President said: “Despite refusing a right of appeal, the Government also ruled out compensation for rural businesses and landowners who could prove they had lost out financially because of the new right of coastal access. It is hard to equate this approach with a Government that repeatedly claims ‘fairness’ is its calling card. There is precious little in the way of concessions in its response to pre-legislative scrutiny and public consultation to the draft Marine Bill.”

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2 October 2008
© CLA

Waste facilities in Leicestershire and the South West will see major improvements thanks to a combined £181.6 million in funding announced by Defra today. In Leicestershire, the Private Finance Initiative (PFI) project is expecting to divert 98,000 tonnes of Biodegradable Municipal Waste from landfill in 2020. In the South West the PFI project will divert 293,000 tonnes from landfill in 2020 - making an important contribution to the UK’s landfill directive targets. Leicestershire plans to build on its already successful recycling and composting record. Not only does the county expect to reach the Government’s 2020 recycling target of 50 per cent 10 years early, but with further plans it aims to reach 58 per cent by 2017. In the South West, 92 per cent of the biodegradable waste in the area will be diverted from landfill.

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2 October 2008
© Department for Environment, Food And Rural Affairs (National)

The Commission for Rural Communities have been asking “Is the ‘Credit Crunch’ impacting on your economy?” to find out how rural communities are being affected. The issues you’ve raised have helped feed a rural perspective into a study on the impacts and implications of the ‘Credit Crunch’ on regeneration and economies. The study, commissioned by Local Government Minister John Healey, is led by principal author, Professor Michael Parkinson of Liverpool John Moore’s University. Thanks to everyone who’s shared their thoughts and experiences on the impacts of the ‘Credit Crunch’ on their rural communities. The initial interim report is now available to download and the final report will be ready shortly: http://www.ruralcommunities.gov.uk/files/credit%20crunch%20interim%20paper.pdf

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1 October 2008
© Commission for Rural Communities

Bill Bryson, author and President of the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE), will today (Wednesday) address delegates at the Conservative Party conference in Birmingham on the value of Our Local Environment. He will then participate in a Q&A from the conference floor with Peter Ainsworth MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and Eric Pickles MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government. It will be Bryson’s first visit to a Conservative conference and his first invitation to set out the views of CPRE at a political party conference. He will be taking the opportunity to launch a new CPRE pamphlet on Communities and the countryside. This contains a speech by Conservative leader David Cameron which is being published as part of CPRE’s work to develop an attractive and influential vision for the countryside in 2026 – CPRE’s centenary year. Commenting on the occasion, Bryson said: ‘CPRE has been a leading voice in the countryside debate for 80 years. We’re non-party political but I’m honoured to represent CPRE, and share this platform on a critical debate. It goes to the heart of our work – how people should be able to influence the local environmental decisions that affect their lives. Of course global environmental issues – especially climate change – matter hugely. But people’s concern about the environment usually starts at a local level. It starts with the decisions affecting their street, their village, their local piece of countryside or Green Belt. If we want people to care about the global, we need to start local.’

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1 October 2008
© CPRE

The Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) has welcomed much of the recently published regional strategy to guide development in the North West. The Plan sets out where and how much new development there should be for housing, transport, energy, waste, retail and jobs. But the CPRE is worried that the Government’s open-ended approach to house-building may derail its good intentions. CPRE’s Regional Policy Officer, Andy Yuille, said: ‘It’s great to see strong policies on tranquillity and landscape. These are the things that people value about our fantastic countryside. And we’re pleased that the Government has listened to the people of the region and pulled back from plans to re-focus development priorities on towns and cities in the M6 corridor. This will promote the regeneration of Manchester and Liverpool and protect the character and heritage of historic cities like Chester and Lancaster. It shows the importance of respecting local knowledge and experience. A number of other policies have also been strengthened to improve the outcomes for the environment and communities’ quality of life.’ However, the Government has taken the cap off the number of houses that can be built in each district over the next 15 years, and removed the policy on housing density. With no limits on development and no policy on using land for housing efficiently, it is hard to see how councils will be able to stick to these aims.

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1 October 2008
© CPRE

Paul Bettison, Leader of Bracknell Forest Borough Council, has been appointed to chair the South East’s new Rural Board, established by SEEDA and other partners on behalf of the region. “I am delighted to join this new Rural Board, at a very important time for rural communities, businesses and our green spaces,” said Paul. “I am passionate about a strong rural economy, thriving rural communities and beautiful, healthy landscapes in the South East of England. I am really looking forward to making a difference, and to learning from stakeholders just what needs to be done in the South East to deliver the rural agenda.” As Chairman, Paul will lead the Board in identifying the key economic, social and environmental trends affecting the rural sector. He will lead the Board in identifying priority actions which will make a difference for businesses and communities. The Board will be supported by SEEDA, the South East England Development Agency, and GOSE, the Government Office for the South East. It replaces both the SEEDA-led Rural Advisory Committee and the GOSE-led SE Rural Partnership, and thereby streamlines and focuses regional arrangements. A new Rural Forum will work closely with the Board, strengthening current links between the rural sector and Local Authorities. The Forum will provide advice and intelligence about the rural issues to Community Strategies and Local Area Agreements. Paul will also use his direct access to government Ministers and other key partners at national and regional level to promote rural issues.

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22 September 2008
© SEEDA

Are you passionate about the welfare of rural communities? Can you help ensure that the rural voice is heard across the country? Our Commissioners have non-executive responsibility for the governance of our organisation, including determining our strategic direction, and also providing impartial input and advice into reports to Government Ministers and to Parliament.
Defra are seeking to appoint three new Commissioners. You must be able to demonstrate knowledge and interest in economic and social issues affecting rural communities. You’ll be familiar with and committed to the principles of public life. We’d welcome applicants who are able to build strong relationships with diverse stakeholders, with business background and/or knowledge of local government. To address the balance of regional representation, applicants from the East of England, East and West Midlands would be particularly welcome but those from elsewhere in England will also be welcomed. The posts are remunerated up to 3.5 days per month. Legitimate travel and other expenses are fully reimbursed. Download an information pack: http://www.ruralcommunities.gov.uk/files/80922%20Commissioner%20Information%20Pack%20-%20final.pdf

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29 September 2008
© Commission for Rural Communities