UK's shifting population placing
environment under intense strain | |
According to a report published by the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution (RCEP), a "dramatic step change in consumption is needed" to protect the UK environment.
The report, 'demographic change and the environment', analyses demographic trends in the UK and their potential environmental impacts. It highlights the need to pay attention to where people live and work and the role of public policy in protecting the physical environment. All of this demonstrates the importance of the rural urban definition as a means of doing just that.
The commission recognises how, in practice, the government can do little to influence the (growing) size of the population over the next 40 years. Britain's population is expected to reach 71.6 million in 2033, rising from 61.9 million in 2009, according to the Office of National Statistics. The Commission therefore recommends improving resource use and influencing consumption patterns in order to reduce environmental impacts.
I have a very good new source of information which both suggests that rural England is becoming less sustainable and that at the heart of the problem lies the medium term increasing costs of fuel. This suggests to me that efforts to influence consumption and improve resource use will be felt most painfully and acutely in rural England. You may see my new insight document if you contact me directly. This report, the 29th produced by the Commission, is the last to be published by the organisation which, along with a number of other jolly useful organisations, is being abolished by the government next month.
For more information see the RCEP 29th study: Demographic change and the Environment website
|
UK farmers' leader attacks government
for lack of national food plan |
 (Link: The Guardian, 15 February)Peter Kendall, president of the National Farmers Union (NFU), has called for a 'national food plan' citing rising food prices, a growing population, dependency on food imports and increasing pressure on natural resources. He made his remarks in his opening speech at the NFU Annual Conference. In response, Defra secretary Caroline Spelman spoke in favour of maintaining rather than abolishing subsidies to farmers. Here at Rose, Jessica and I are working with Craven CVS and the Yorkshire Dales LEADER Local Action Group to map local food activities taking place across the Yorkshire Dales National Park and the surrounding area (defined by a 30 mile radius). The project includes mapping local producers and food initiatives; running workshops in the LEADER area; and producing a delivery plan and work programme to help communities build more robust and locally sustainable food systems. More information about this project can be found on the Rose Regeneration website. We are also working on food and fishing projects in Wales and Cornwall respectively and as always if you would like to know more please drop us an email. |
Half term holiday premiums add
£1,000 to family holiday |
 (Link: The Independent, 16 February)For those of you who are parents or guardians, this story will already be all-too-familiar: a survey by Santander Cards has revealed that package holidays to sunny locations during half term week can be up to 53% more expensive compared with prices for the first week of March. Interestingly, the sharpest discrepancies are for those wanting to travel to Lanzarote, (I am not sponsored by the Canaries tourist board!!) with one holiday at a popular four star resort increasing its prices during half term to £6,339 from £1,720. This £4,619 price rise is equivalent to 269 per cent. According to travelsupermarket.com the discrepancies between school holidays and term time have increased, leading many parents to take their children out of lessons to go on holiday (despite some local authorities introducing a fines system in 2004). I wonder it the "staycation" concept has run its course, with people in these tough times still appearing to be prepared to pay these premiums to get away? Let me know what you think. |
North-South health divide
kills thousands every year |
 (Link: The Independent, 16 February)Apparently, every year 37,000 people (enough to fill a football stadium) die in the North earlier than their counterparts in the South. Whilst the health divide between the North and South of the country is well-rehearsed, this article provides new insights based on new research published by Professor Iain Buchan at the University of Manchester. Rather than attributing the gap to differences in lifestyle (i.e., smoking, alcohol consumption), the key factor effecting the figure is the amount of disposable income. Using figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the research team found average disposable household income was £19,038 in London and £16,792 in the South-east. This was against £12,543 in the North-east. London households earned more than 28 per cent over the national average in 2008. According to Professor Buchan ""Social and economic factors are extremely reliable predictors of health. If you put more resources into an area, or take them out, its health will improve or decline. It would be unheard of for economic growth not to translate into better health...We have to target business development in the North - the South is overworked. The challenge is to have an investment strategy to make the country less London-centric. If we want better health in the North it has to go hand in hand with social and economic change." Interesting though these generalisations are, I think they break down at lower levels of analysis. We all know how District level analysis of rural communities masks pockets of deprivation and poor health throughout England. I think the link between affluence and health is clearly proven but anyone thinking that rural places in Southern England are somehow bereft of poor people with low incomes and poor health and that the issues aren't just as important from an individual perspective in these places really is missing the point! If you would like me to offer more perspectives on rural vulnerability and wages please get in touch. |
Lack of top researchers could
harm UK plc, Dyson warns |
 (Link: BBC Online 16 February)World famous British entrepreneur Sir James Dyson has warned that UK businesses could be damaged unless more UK-based students take postgraduate research courses. Approximately 70% of engineering and technology postgrads studying at UK universities are now from overseas: Of the additional 3,825 post graduate engineering students in 2008 only 70 came from the UK. Dyson called for more government grants to encourage UK students to study postgraduate courses. Dyson's plea comes at a time when Imperial, a university which is famous for science, is proposing to charge UK and EU students the maximum fee for all courses from next year (joining the likes of Oxford and Cambridge). All of which makes me reflect that there are proportionately more people employed in manufacturing in rural than urban areas - and therefore this is a big deal for those of us involved in skills issues within the RSN family. Challenge me to prove it if you like! London has only around 4% of its employees for example employed in high tech manufacturing. Whilst on the theme of universities I must again plug the Academic Network, scheduled for 2 March at the University of Gloucester and with two fascinating speakers - James Derounian speaking on "Local Councils, localism and the Big Society" and Rob Smith (Robert Gordon University speaking on rural crime and the informal economy in rural areas. If you want to come please contact Wendy Cooper at wendy.cooper@sparse.gov.uk |
| Consultations |
Planning Policy Statement 3: Planning for Housing - Technical change to Annex B, Affordable Housing definition: This consultation seeks views on the definition of Affordable Rent proposed to be included as part of the definition of affordable housing in a revised annex B to Planning Policy Statement 3: Housing (PPS3). This change will mean affordable rent can be regarded as affordable housing for planning purposes. This is a big deal for rural areas and you should definitely comment. I am doing some work on "rural affordable " at the moment and would b very happy to involve you in the testing of a new tool which is emerging from the process.
Simple financial products - HM Treasury
The government wants views from all interested parties - including the financial services industry and consumers themselves - on how simple products can best be developed and implemented, what the challenges such an initiative would present and how these can be overcome. The intention is to help people to choose the right financial services product for their needs and be able to trust the market to give them a fair deal. Closes 25 March 2011.
Draft Sustainable Development Guidance for Local Flood Authorities - Defra
This consultation invites views on our draft sustainable development guidance for Local Flood Authorities. Section 27 of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 states that a lead local flood authority, district council, internal drainage board or highways authority must aim to make a contribution towards the achievement of sustainable development when exercising a flood or coastal erosion risk management function. The Act requires the Secretary of State to issue guidance about how authorities are to discharge this duty. This draft guidance has been developed for that purpose. Closes 16 Feb 2011.
Road network policy consultation - the Department for Transport
The DFT is proposing to devolve responsibility on the classification of local roads. The Department wants to increase the freedom of local authorities to set road classifications and routes on the primary route network, and to reduce its role in guidance and appeals cases. The consultation outlines existing policy on the strategic road network, data reporting procedures and how satellite navigation technology fits into existing arrangements and includes a set of questions for response. Closes 1 May 2011.
The future of fire and rescue control services in England
Communities and Local Government (CLG) is seeking views on the future arrangements of fire and rescue control services in England following the decision to close down the FiReControl project. The FiRe project was part of the previous Government's Fire and Resilience Programme launched in 2004 to replace standalone fire and rescue service control rooms with nine regional control centres. While there are no public safety implications emerging from the decision to cancel the project, the Government is seeking views on what lessons can be learnt from FiReControl, the role of central Government in supporting fire and rescue authorities (including service delivery) and setting funding priorities. Closes 8 April 2011.
Simple financial products
HM Treasury is aiming to gather views from all interested parties (including the financial services industry and consumers themselves) on how simple products can best be developed and implemented; what the challenges such an initiative would present; and how these challenges can be overcome. The intention is to help people choose the right financial product for their needs and trust the market to give them a fair deal. Closes 25 March 2011.
An invitation to shape the nature of England (an update)
Last year the Government invited comments and submissions from anyone with an interest in the Natural Environment White Paper. Defra received more than 15,000 responses. A factual summary of these responses is now available online here. The responses will feed into the development of the White Paper which Defra is due to publish this spring. Watch this space.
|
----------------------------------------------------------------------
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 at Holly Sims at hsims@calor.co.uk.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
| And finally... | Conservation Dogs: eco researchers
The Independent
Aren't dogs brilliant. This article explains: "The sight of a snarling mutt might not be the first thing which an endangered newt thinks of when it comes to a bright future. But conservationists are turning to man's best friend to lend a helping paw to find endangered animal species.
Documenting the location and number of rare animals isn't easy. Conservation Dogs is the UK's first organisation to train and use pooches to find endangered species, or rather their signs - such as droppings, carcasses or nests - to aid researchers in their goals of eco research, management and conservation."
The dog in the picture is the spitting image of my beloved Black Lab "Hammy" who at 8 ½ has just started with the first signs of arthritis - not a big deal the vet says - but he is on light duties for a couple of weeks and should no longer be encouraged to race after Ralph the Jack Russell around our garden with (for reasons known only to him) the plastic watering can in his mouth - according to the Vet - that will be a hard instruction to enforce!
|
|
This week a mixed bag of positive and polemical stories. I would also really like to plug the next RSN academic network meeting - scheduled for 2 March at the University of Gloucester and with two fascinating speakers - James Derounian speaking on "Local Councils, localism and the Big Society" and Rob Smith (Robert Gordon University) speaking on rural crime and the informal economy in rural areas. If you want to come please contact Wendy Cooper at 
(Link: 