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

This Viewpoint reviews some of the key proposals in adult social care of the last ten years from an equity perspective. It uses the analysis to argue that we can develop practical policies that are informed by clearly stated equity principles which serve to ensure that the most disadvantaged groups of people are treated more fairly.Download: http://www.jrf.org.uk/knowledge/findings/socialcare/pdf/2292.pdf

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25 September 2008
© Joseph Rowntree Foundation

FirstStop Care Advice is an independent, free service providing information and advice about care and housing in later life. It is provided jointly by Counsel and Care, Elderly Accommodation Counsel, Help the Aged and NHFA Limited. Our aim is to expand the options and choices you might consider, and provide enough information about them to help you decide what is right for you. This is an online free resource.

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22 September 2008
© First Stop Care Advice

Together with the University of Manchester and the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, the Transport Resource Unit supports an annual programme of transport focused seminars. The 2008/09 seminar programme is now finalised with this year’s topic of Engaging with the Local Transport Act 2008. The programme runs from October 2008 to April 2009. The first seminar will take place on Wednesday 1st October in lecture theatre B at the Roscoe building, University of Manchester, and will feature Paul Lucas from GMPTE.

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22 September 2008
© GMCVO

This study refines the formula published by the JRF in 2002 (revised 2004) for calculating reasonable fees, based on the operating costs of efficient care homes for older people in England. Using 2008 benchmarks, the study guides users through its associated spreadsheet and advises on modifications to reflect local market conditions. The full report, Calculating a fair market price for care: a toolkit for residential and nursing homes by William Laing, is published for the Joseph Rowntree Foundation by The Policy Press (ISBN 97818474231530). The toolkit spreadsheet is available as free download from this page: http://www.jrf.org.uk/bookshop/details.asp?pubid=974

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17 September 2008
© Joseph Rowntree Foundation

Commenting on the first post office counter being reopened by Essex County Council, who stepped in to provide the service after it was earmarked for closure, the new chairman of the Local Government Association, a cross party organisation representing councils in England, Margaret Eaton said: “It is a huge step in the right direction that Essex County Council has demonstrated the innovation and initiative to help save some of the vital post office services that had been earmarked for closure by the Post Office. However, for many councils who have been trying to find innovative options, they have often been met with unhelpful stonewalling. Councils have long battled against the closure of post offices, working with local residents to find new, fresh and innovative ways to make sure that post office counter services are not lost to people who live in disadvantaged areas. Some cynics suggest however that all that may happen is that while some post offices are saved by some councils the Post Office will simply look to close another branch elsewhere. With councils having to make any penny count in difficult economic circumstances it will not be possible for every council to go down this route, and for those who do, it will not be possible for them to save everyone. Councils will look at each proposed closure based on the information they are provided and ensure that any money spent will provide value for money to the taxpayer. For many people, the Post Office is the lifeblood of the high street, and the role post offices play in helping people who conduct their financial affairs in cash is vital. This low level financial advice service plays an important role in helping some of the most vulnerable people in society. Councils are committed to creating places where people can thrive. If the Post Office decides that a branch should be considered for closure then it is only right that local people and local councils are given the facts as early as possible so that alternate ways of keeping the services available can be investigated. The Post Office must ensure that it works closely with councils to ensure that decisions are made in the best interest of the people the post office network serves.”

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15 September 2008
© LGA

Today (Monday, September 15, 2008), the Commission for Rural Communities (CRC) is publishing five studies putting the spotlight on transport challenges facing rural areas, ranging from accessibility to key services, the effects of technological change and implications of road pricing. Rural people travel around 10,000 miles each year compared with around 7,000 for all residents, and use of cars is significantly higher in rural areas. Graham Russell Director of Practice at the CRC said: “Transport is a key concern for rural communities. With a continuing decline in local services, rural residents need to travel greater distances, and because of significant gaps in public transport much more of their travel is by car. What’s more, rising fuel prices are hitting rural areas hardest, especially less well-off households where a higher proportion of income goes on essentials including transport costs. Greater car use in rural areas also contributes to higher overall carbon production rate per person than in urban areas.

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15 September 2008
© Commission for Rural Communities (National)

The Department of Health’s consultation paper, The case for change, has opened a debate on the long-term future of England’s care and support system. In this Viewpoint, Kalyani Gandhi and Helen Bowers argue that if social care services are to transform people’s lives, they must be based on a deeper understanding of human relationships and the nature of duty and obligation inherent within them. Lessons from different generations and cultures about the importance of ‘duty and obligation’ can provide powerful levers for change and strengthen community and family relationships. Citizenship and inclusion are key messages in different government policies. We need to increase our understanding about barriers to citizenship and participation in the context of intergenerational and intercultural obligations, including: discriminating attitudes and actions; low levels of awareness and understanding; accessibility issues; poor health; disability; low income; and current and changing expectations. A free download is available: http://www.jrf.org.uk/knowledge/findings/socialcare/pdf/2291.pdf

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10 September 2008
© Joseph Rowntree Foundation

Leonard Cheshire Disability is trialling a one-stop-shop for disability related information and advice on the web, the Disability Information Portal. Interested parties can help shape the final site at http://www.dip-online.org

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5 September 2008
© VoluntaryNews/e-access bulletin

Innovative technology which turns organic matter into biogas - a renewable source of energy and a transport fuel - could play an important part in helping farmers meet strict new environmental rules, Environment Minister Phil Woolas said today. From January 2009 farmers will have to step up action to cut the amount of nitrates from fertiliser that gets into rivers. This will include restricting the times of year that fertiliser can be spread on land and storing excess manure outside these times. Treating the manure in on-farm anaerobic digestion plants while it is being stored could produce biogas, which farmers could use as a source of energy. The treated manure can be returned to the soil as fertiliser. Phil Woolas acknowledged that there are still hurdles to be overcome, saying: “Tackling pollution from agriculture is central to boosting the quality of our water environment. Left unchecked it can have serious effects on local rivers, lakes, estuaries and coastal waters, and the plant life and wildlife that depend on those. Anaerobic digestion is an exciting and innovative technology, and it is clear we are not making full use of its potential. I know from talking to the farming industry that there are barriers to enabling its wider take up by farmers and that’s something I have promised to look at.”

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5 September 2008
© Department for Environment, Food And Rural Affairs (National)