The new government’s first budget took place earlier in the autumn and our national partner organisations have been gauging its impact on rural England. Learn more about the implications for rural communities.
ACRE, Action with Communities in Rural England, our national partner rural development charity, were broadly positive, with some warnings that longer-term issues need to be kept in mind.
The Rural Services Network noted some positive measures for rural communities, while stressing that many issues have a specific rural dimension which the Government and public bodies must consider. The RSN also has a useful round-up of comments from other infrastructure bodies, including concerns from the National Farmers Union about the reduction in Agricultural Property Relief for inheritance tax. This will have more of an impact in areas with higher land values, like Hampshire.
It’s also worth noting is the Government’s consultation on planning policy, which took place before the Budget. The proposals included placing requirements on local authorities to plan for more housing (including affordable homes) and freeing up criteria used to identify land for development. Here’s how ACRE responded to this consultation:
The local picture: The national political and financial situation naturally has a huge impact on local services. Earlier in 2024, Hampshire County Council consulted on a range of cutbacks, as part of their efforts to meet a £132 million budget shortfall. The County Council website has a detailed summary of the consultation and the responses to it.
There is a press release summarising the Council cabinet’s decisions (taken on 14 October) here:
What next? Please tell us about your successes and barriers in making your rural community thrive. We recently ran a workshop addressing this challenge – see what came out of the session and send us your views through our website. Also keep in touch with your local councillors and MP, tell them about your successes and what you need from them.
