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Rural Services Network

on Monday, 19 September 2011.

The Rural Services Network is a group of over 250 service providers and local authorities working to establish best practice across the spectrum of rural service provision.

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Rural Services Network
Weekly email news digest
Monday, 7 November 2011

"A rural consultant at your finger tips"

Boost for mobile phone coverage
Nov 07, 2011 00:01 am
RURAL communities hampered by the digital divide are being offered a lifeline by a phone company piloting ground-breaking mobile technology. Vodafone is looking for 12 communities to play a part in in rural mobile coverage trials and get connected to the internet using technology to enhance mobile phone signals.

Save village shops, urges minister
Nov 04, 2011 01:40 pm
THE government is calling on parish councils to safeguard struggling village shops and pubs. If a shop, pub or village post office was threatened with closure, parish councils could use their powers to keep it running. "The village shop, pub or post office is often the beating heart of a community," said Mr Shapps.

Local authorities recycle more waste
Nov 03, 2011 12:01 pm
RURAL local authorities are among those with the highest recycling rates, according to the latest government figures. Final waste and recycling estimates for England were published by Defra on Thursday (3 November). They show an increase in household recycling to 41.2% for the year ending March 2011.

Website highlights police performance
Nov 02, 2011 01:59 pm
RURAL residents can now compare their local police performance with other forces at the click of a mouse. Members of the public can use the internet to look up crime rates, quality of service and victim satisfaction and compare all 43 police forces in England and Wales.

Rural council urges rate rethink
Oct 31, 2011 10:19 pm
ONE of England's biggest rural authorities is urging the government to rethink proposals to change the way councils receive payments through business rates. At the moment, business rates collected locally are pooled nationally before being redistributed to local authorities.

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EARLIER NEWS:

Campaign to end rural funding deficit
THE Rural Services Network has called on the government to reduce the deficit in local authority funding.

ANALYSIS: Realising rural potential?
Is the government likely to stimulate our rural economy and if so are there enough resources available? Rose Regeneration investigates.

TV star backs broadband campaign
DOWNTON Abbey actor Hugh Bonneville is supporting a campaign highlighting the lack of decent internet access in the countryside.

Community schemes 'can replace withdrawn bus services'
RURAL community transport schemes can fill gaps left by the withdrawal of commercial bus services, the government has said.

Rural homes still most expensive
HOUSE prices in the countryside are 16% higher than in urban areas, reveal the latest figures.

ANALYSIS: Older people with support needs
Arrangements where older rural people with support needs both receive and provide help may have much to offer, writes Brian Wilson.

Cold homes 'bad for health'
Cold damp homes are bad for your health – that's the message from the Warm Front Scheme.

Coalition 'committed to Green Belt'
PRESSURE to build on Green Belt land will be removed with the revocation of regional plans, claims the government.

Priorities for social care reform
THE government is asking people for their views on priorities for improving care and support services.

Rural grant doubles nursery places
A NURSERY school has more than doubled its childcare places after receiving a £47,000 rural grant.

Warning over rural bus services
GOVERNMENT cuts are having a marked impact on rural public transport, an MP has warned.

Grants for renewable heat systems
HOUSEHOLDS across the country can now apply for a government grant of up to £1,250 to help towards the cost of installing renewable heat systems.

'Vital' contribution of village halls
VILLAGE halls run by volunteers play a vital role in rural communities, say experts.

£80m community fund launched
An £80m fund is to provide small grants to community groups and local social action projects.

Have your say on Post Office plan
RURAL stakeholders are urged to respond to a government consultation on the future of the Post Office.

£150m boost for mobile signals
THE government has unveiled a £150m package to improve mobile phone coverage in rural areas.

Rural watchdog in call for evidence
THE government's rural watchdog has issued a call for evidence relating to youth employment, education and training.

Government targets rural growth
DEFRA secretary Caroline Spelman has pledged to prioritise the needs of the countryside.

Rural communities are 'Big Society'
ENGLAND'S rural communities are a shining example of the Big Society, the government has been told. Stuart Burgess, chairman of the Commission for Rural Communities, made the assertion during a speech to the Yorkshire Rural Support Network.

Council in rural bus fare campaign
COUNCILLORS have launched a campaign to persuade the government to fairly fund concessionary bus fares for rural passengers. Calculating a £4.5m concessionary bus fare shortfall, Norfolk County Council said it was "coming out fighting".

ANALYSIS: The great rural food debate
What motivates us in our choice of foods and eating habits? If we truly are what we eat, what's new and changing on the menu? From the runaway weight gain train to community food initiatives - Jessica Sellick investigates.

BEST PRACTICE: IT skills for rural communities
INNOVATIVE training is making IT skills training accessible to small businesses and communities in a highly rural area. Brian Wilson finds out more.

New approach 'vital' to save services
Budget cuts mean a new approach is vital to maintain rural public services, the government has been told.

Rural groups disagree on planning
PLANS to shake up planning rules have met a different response from rural groups.

Extension for £5m Village SOS fund
A £5m fund for villagers who want to revitalise their local community enterprise has seen its deadline extended.

How to save money on heating oil
RURAL residents are being encouraged to form buying groups to reduce the cost of heating oil this winter.

Fears over faster rural broadband
RURAL communities could still miss out on faster internet connections – despite a boost in funding.

Rural fund reopens for applications
THE Prince's Countryside Fund has re-opened for applications from projects that benefit Britain's rural communities.

Experts highlight health challenges
HEALTH experts hope to raise awareness of the challenges involved in delivering services to dispersed rural communities.

Village halls praise licensing plan
COMMUNITY leaders have welcomed proposals that will scrap entertainment licensing requirements for village halls.

Mobile library services under review
SUFFOLK has become the latest rural county to review its mobile library services.

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ABOUT THE RURAL SERVICES NETWORK
The Rural Services Network is a group of over 250 service providers and local authorities working to establish best practice across the spectrum of rural service provision. The network has representation across the range of rural services.
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The Rural Services Network - working with Knight Frank
Knight Frank is RSN's property partner and specialises in helping the Public Sector maximise the value of its rural property portfolios. This is particularly important at a time when budgets are under immense pressure. Because we are the only Office of Government Commerce (OGC) approved rural property consultancy, we can provide immediate strategic advice if needed. Our specialisms include strategic asset reviews, Landlord and Tenant compliance assessments, enhancing capital and revenue positions and full or partial management. For a no obligation discussion, please contact rsn@knightfrank.com. To find out more about our services, please look at our website.
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LPGenius from Calor - Our Energy Partner
Calor Gas Ltd is the RSN's energy partner and the UK's leading supplier of bulk and bottled LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) - a low carbon, low cost energy solution for rural homes and businesses. Calor LPG plays a vital role in meeting the countryside's diverse energy requirements and is used in thousands of applications across many different sectors. And we don't just supply LPG; we are continually innovating and investing in new technologies to bring the next generation of energy efficient and renewable appliances to the rural market. Fuelling the British countryside since 1935, we offer unmatched service and customer support. Visit www.calor.co.uk or call 0800 181 4530. Alternatively, email Holly Sims at hsims@calor.co.uk.
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FirstFirst is RSN's public transport partner
First provides bus and rail services linking local communities throughout England. Working in partnership with local authority colleagues, First is at the forefront of innovative local transport solutions to improve mobility, and to provide access to local services and opportunities. First is keen to work with local authorities and other bodies to explore opportunities to grow public transport use. For details of the services we offer, and of our knowledge and expertise in the provision of local bus, express coach, demand responsive transport and local and national rail services, please see our website www.firstgroup.com or email us directly at rural.services@firstgroup.com.
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Market Town
Local authority pages
To access your local authority page, click here.
Houses of Parliament
Parliamentary Group
For the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Rural Services, click here.
Commercial affliliates
Commercial affiliates
Commercial affiliates to the Rural Services Network can click here.
Calendar
Calendar
For Rural Services Network events, click here.
Hinterland
Hinterland
For Rural Intelligence from behind the headlines, click here.
SPECIAL EVENTS:-

10 November 2011
Economy Seminar (Ipswich)
For details, click here.

21 November 2011
Rural Services Network (London)
Main network meeting

10 January 2012
Housing Seminar (Cheltenham)
For details, click here.

22 February 2012
Uplands Seminar (Ambleside)
For details, click here.

6 March 2012
Broadband Seminar (Beverley)
For details, click here.

19 March 2012
Rural Services Network (London)
Main network meeting

8 May 2012
Environment Seminar (Exeter)
For details, click here.

12 June May 2012
Localism Seminar (Newcastle)
For details, click here.

Monday 9 July 2012
Rural Services Network (London)
Main network meeting

Monday 19 November 2012
Rural Services Network (London)
Main network meeting

Rural Services Network meetings take place at Local Government House, Smith Square, London, SW1P 3HZ. Executive meetings take place at Weber Shandwick, Fox Court, 14 Grays Inn Road, Holborn, London, WC1X 8WS. Further details, including agendas, will be distributed in due course.
Grey Pride
The Rural Services Network is now supporting Grey Pride - a campaign calling for a dedicated Minister for Older People, with a remit to deal with the needs and concerns of our older population. We are joining dozens of organisations and celebrities from across England who are coming together to petition the government to give older people a voice at the highest level. We are working together to improve the lives of older people and help transform communities into better places to grow older. Please help by signing our Grey Pride petition here.
Copyright © 2011 Rural Services Network, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because in the past you provided the Rural Services Network with your email address, so you could receive, on occasion, brief emails regarding new products and services. If you no longer want to receive these emails, please unsubscribe below. You will then be deleted from our contact email list and will receive no further emails.
Our mailing address is:
Rural Services Network
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Tavistock, Devon PL19 0BZ

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Rural Services Network
Weekly email news digest
Monday, 19 September 2011

"A rural consultant at your finger tips"

Rural fund reopens for applications
Sep 14, 2011 10:58 pm
THE Prince's Countryside Fund has re-opened for applications from projects that benefit Britain's rural communities. With over £1.5m raised, the latest funding round aims to distribute up to £400,000 in grants of up to £50,000 to UK projects.

Fears over faster rural broadband
Sep 16, 2011 11:19 pm
RURAL communities could still miss out on faster internet connections – despite a boost in funding. The latest phase of BT’s superfast broadband programme could still leave the “final third” of the UK without a decent infrastructure, claim business leaders. Rural areas may miss out, they added.

Experts highlight health challenges
Sep 16, 2011 09:11 pm
HEALTH experts hope to raise awareness of the challenges involved in delivering services to dispersed rural communities. Innovative ways of achieving rural health and wellbeing are being highlighted during Rural Health Week, which runs from 18-24 September.

Village halls praise licensing plan
Sep 13, 2011 07:42 am
COMMUNITY leaders have welcomed proposals that will scrap entertainment licensing requirements for village halls. The Department for Culture Media and Sport said it intended to deregulate entertainment licensing in the UK. The proposal is being made as part of the government's Red Tape Challenge.

Rural mobile broadband giveaway
Sep 12, 2011 10:44 pm
A MOBILE phone operator is giving away 3G broadband to rural areas struggling with slow landline connections. The Three UK company has teamed up with countryside campaigners to give away mobile internet connectors in rural areas of poor or non-existent broadband.

*          *          *

EARLIER NEWS:

Mobile library services under review
SUFFOLK has become the latest rural county to review its mobile library services.

Rural council plans 8,000 homes
A RURAL district council has unveiled ambitious plans to build 8,000 affordable homes.

Fly-tipping costs £40m a year
ILLEGAL fly-tipping costs taxpayers more than £40m last year, according to new figures.

Communities hit by 'double whammy'
COUNTRYSIDE communities receive a lower government grant and pay more council tax for few public services, says a report.

ANALYSIS: Overhauling the system, getting involved and do-it-yourself public services
Just what does the future hold for rural services such as healthcare, transport, village shops, pubs and post offices?

 

Market towns test planning powers
RURAL and market towns are among 36 more communities that will try out new planning powers.

Banking 'could save post offices'
WIDENING financial services at post offices would benefit rural customers hit by bank branch closures, says a report.

Plan to increase affordable homes
THE government has unveiled proposals it says will encourage local authorities to increase the amount of social housing.

Market towns face fight for customers
FEWER shoppers are visiting high streets in market towns, suggests a survey.

Broadband plan for rural Cumbria
THREE organisations have been shortlisted to help bring super-fast broadband to Cumbria.

Entries invited for rural 'oscars'
NOMINATIONS are invited for the annual Countryside Alliance Awards, nicknamed Britain's "Rural Oscars".

Call for evidence on bus services
THE Rural Services Network is looking for innovative ways of saving rural bus routes from the axe.

Warning on youth unemployment
UNEMPLOYMENT is an increasingly serious issue among rural youngsters, warns a report.

ANALYSIS: Rural youngsters have aspirations too
THE characteristics of rural areas can sometimes constraint young people's aspirations, writes Brian Wilson.

£363m fund for rural broadband
THE government is making available £363m to bring faster broadband to the countryside.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
ABOUT THE RURAL SERVICES NETWORK
The Rural Services Network is a group of over 250 service providers and local authorities working to establish best practice across the spectrum of rural service provision. The network has representation across the range of rural services.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
The Rural Services Network - working with Knight Frank
Knight Frank is RSN's property partner and specialises in helping the Public Sector maximise the value of its rural property portfolios. This is particularly important at a time when budgets are under immense pressure. Because we are the only Office of Government Commerce (OGC) approved rural property consultancy, we can provide immediate strategic advice if needed. Our specialisms include strategic asset reviews, Landlord and Tenant compliance assessments, enhancing capital and revenue positions and full or partial management. For a no obligation discussion, please contact rsn@knightfrank.com. To find out more about our services, please look at our website.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
LPGenius from Calor - Our Energy Partner
Calor Gas Ltd is the RSN's energy partner and the UK's leading supplier of bulk and bottled LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) - a low carbon, low cost energy solution for rural homes and businesses. Calor LPG plays a vital role in meeting the countryside's diverse energy requirements and is used in thousands of applications across many different sectors. And we don't just supply LPG; we are continually innovating and investing in new technologies to bring the next generation of energy efficient and renewable appliances to the rural market. Fuelling the British countryside since 1935, we offer unmatched service and customer support. Visit www.calor.co.uk or call 0800 181 4530. Alternatively, email Holly Sims at hsims@calor.co.uk.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
FirstFirst is RSN's public transport partner
First provides bus and rail services linking local communities throughout England. Working in partnership with local authority colleagues, First is at the forefront of innovative local transport solutions to improve mobility, and to provide access to local services and opportunities. First is keen to work with local authorities and other bodies to explore opportunities to grow public transport use. For details of the services we offer, and of our knowledge and expertise in the provision of local bus, express coach, demand responsive transport and local and national rail services, please see our website www.firstgroup.com or email us directly at rural.services@firstgroup.com.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Market Town
Local authority pages
To access your local authority page, click here.
Houses of Parliament
Parliamentary Group
For the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Rural Services, click here.
Commercial affliliates
Commercial affiliates
Commercial affiliates to the Rural Services Network can click here.
Calendar
Calendar
For Rural Services Network events, click here.
Hinterland
Hinterland
For Rural Intelligence from behind the headlines, click here.
OUR SPECIAL EVENTS:-

10 November 2011
Economy Seminar (Ipswich)
For details, click here.

21 November 2011
Rural Services Network (London)
Main network meeting

10 January 2012
Housing Seminar (Cheltenham)
For details, click here.

22 February 2012
Uplands Seminar (Ambleside)
For details, click here.

6 March 2012
Broadband Seminar (Beverley)
For details, click here.

19 March 2012
Rural Services Network (London)
Main network meeting

8 May 2012
Environment Seminar (Exeter)
For details, click here.

12 June May 2012
Localism Seminar (Newcastle)
For details, click here.

Monday 9 July 2012
Rural Services Network (London)
Main network meeting

Monday 19 November 2012
Rural Services Network (London)
Main network meeting

Rural Services Network meetings take place at Local Government House, Smith Square, London, SW1P 3HZ. Executive meetings take place at Weber Shandwick, Fox Court, 14 Grays Inn Road, Holborn, London, WC1X 8WS. Further details, including agendas, will be distributed in due course.
Sustainable Communities 2011: Local Growth, Local Futures
Sustainable Communities 2011: Local Growth, Local Futures - Conference & Exhibition
2 November, London
All public sector members can get fully funded (FREE) tickets but must email the organisers and register. Private sector RSN members can get tickets for £499 (a 50% discount). For details, click here.
Copyright © 2011 Rural Services Network, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because in the past you provided the Rural Services Network with your email address, so you could receive, on occasion, brief emails regarding new products and services. If you no longer want to receive these emails, please unsubscribe below. You will then be deleted from our contact email list and will receive no further emails.