Archive for the ‘Rural issues’ Category

Rural Coalition Publishes Rural Challenge

Friday, August 20th, 2010

image The Rural Commission warmly welcome today’s launch of the Rural Coalition’s ‘The rural challenge. Achieving sustainable rural communities for the 21st century’. The document describes a future for rural England in which every rural community can thrive. It presents a shared policy agenda for rural communities, and its overriding objective is to help achieve a positive, lasting legacy of sustainable rural communities in which people enjoy living and working; which are vibrant, distinctive and in keeping with the character of their surroundings, with a full range of good-quality local services; and which enhance local landscapes, heritage and biodiversity while meeting the challenges of climate and economic change. It proposes urgent, implementable changes that pick up and respond to the concerns that the partners in the new Coalition Government have already stated they wish to address.

The Rural Coalition was formed in September 2008 and the CRC has supported the group and the chair, Matthew Taylor, with the production of the report and with technical advice on its content. The Rural Coalition comprises the following organisations:

  • Action with Communities in Rural England
  • The Campaign to Protect Rural England
  • The Country Land and Business Association
  • The Local Government Group
  • The Royal Town Planning Institute
  • The Town and Country Planning Association
  • The Rural Coalition has been advised by the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment.

Download The Rural Challenge. Achieving sustainable rural communities for the 21st century

OFT warns against increase in rogue doorstep traders in summer months

Friday, July 23rd, 2010

 

Doorstep salesman

While British weather cannot guarantee sunshine, the longer days of light and hopefully dry spells provide the best time to undertake outside building and home improvement work.

The Office of Fair Trading is warning people that the summer is also an opportune time for rogue traders. Last year, advice service Consumer Direct received more than 5,300 complaints about traders offering home maintenance work on the doorstep, a 16 per cent rise from the previous year, with complaints peaking in the summer months from July through to the autumn.

Consumer Direct figures show roofing jobs received the most complaints (28 per cent) during 2009, with tarmacing and paving close behind with 23 per cent.

If a trader knocks at your door do not agree to on the spot house repairs, or sign anything on the spot.

  • Be wary of special offers or warnings that your house is unsafe. 
  • Do not make snap decisions. Take time to talk to someone you trust before you make a decision.
  • If in doubt, call Consumer Direct on 08454 040506 or visit www.consumerdirect.gov.uk/doorstepselling

Report – Growth Sectors in Rural England

Friday, July 16th, 2010

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This report describes in detail some of the sectors of economic growth and barriers to the release of economic potential in rural areas. Click here for the full report.

State of the countryside 2010

Friday, July 9th, 2010

Rural high streetState of the countryside 2010 provides a comprehensive description of social, economic and environmental conditions and changes across rural England, highlighting the main challenges and future trends for government and other organisations.

Download the full report (25.8MB)