[{"topic":"Countryside","id":"44081","proposer":"11534","edm":"2973","session":"2010-12","title":"80th Anniversary Of The Kinder Scout Trespass","text":"That this House notes the 80th anniversary of the Kinder Scout trespass on 24 April 2012; recognises the role the Kinder Scout trespass played in highlighting the issue of publicaccess to Britain's countryside; further recognises the role the Kinder Scout trespass had in providing a focus leading to the establishment of national parks and formalised access to open country; welcomes the progress made over the past 80 years in increasing people's access to the countryside; and praises the work of the Ramblers and othervoluntary organisations for their work in increasing and protecting people's right to access the countryside.","date":"2012-04-18","status":"o"},{"topic":"Countryside","id":"44079","proposer":"10063","edm":"2971","session":"2010-12","title":"Wandle Valley Regional Park","text":"That this House welcomes the Wandle Valley Regional Park campaign launched by the Sutton and WimbledonGuardian newspapers and the investment the London boroughs of Sutton, Croydon, Merton and Wandsworth have secured for the Wandle Valley Regional Park; and calls on the Government to amend the legislation that created the Lee Valley Regional Park levy to allow the London Borough of Sutton and other London local authorities the option of investing the money they currently contribute to the Lee Valley Regional Park via the levy, into other regional parks.","date":"2012-04-17","status":"o"},{"topic":"Countryside","id":"43652","proposer":"10552","edm":"2557","session":"2010-12","title":"Delivery Charges For Consumers In Rural Areas","text":"That this House welcomes the campaign by Citizens Advice Scotland and Citizens Advice Bureaux across Scotland to tackle unfair delivery practices for consumers in remote and rural areas; notes the publication of Free Delivery*, the report from Citizens Advice Scotland which shows that consumers in rural and remote parts of Scotland are often refused delivery or charged more than people in urban areas when ordering goods online; supports Citizens Advice Scotland in urging online retailers to ensure that they comply with the law on distance selling by clearly stating delivery costs before customers enter the purchasing process, reform their delivery policies so that any charges are kept to a minimum and are based on actual costs incurred and offer delivery via Royal Mail wherever possible; and believes that the Royal Mail's Universal Service Obligation must be maintained in order to protect rural and remote consumers from high costs for delivery.","date":"2011-12-20","status":"o"},{"topic":"Countryside","id":"43291","proposer":"11093","edm":"2211","session":"2010-12","title":"Rural Broadband","text":"That this House believes that mobile broadband has an important role to play in delivering internet access to rural communities; welcomes the action taken by the Rural Broadband Working Group, consisting of Three, Race Online and the Countryside Alliance, to identify areas in the UK that are poorly served by fixed broadband and to provide them with free mobile broadband access; notes that rural mobilebroadband coverage can be improved further by a timely and competitive spectrum auction that provides equitable access to low frequency spectrum following liberalisation of the 900 MHz spectrum; is concerned by reports that the 4G spectrum auction is to be delayed; and calls on the Government to support Ofcom in ensuring that the auction takes place next year as planned.","date":"2011-10-10","status":"o"},{"topic":"Countryside","id":"43253","proposer":"11672","edm":"2175","session":"2010-12","title":"Big Lottery Fund Village Sos Initiative","text":"That this House welcomes the Big Lottery Fund's Village SOS initiative, launched in conjunction with a BBC1 series broadcast from 10 August to 14 September 2011; recognises that community enterprises make a significant contribution to the well-being of rural communities across the UK; further recognises that rural communities with the right support can save local services including village shops and pubs as well as enable people to take action on broadband provision, local healthy food, affordable housing, transport provision and preservation and development of heritage assets; urges the Government to promote community enterprise in rural areas; and calls on the Government to reduce regulation and administrative burdens so that it is as easy to start a community enterprise as any other form of business.","date":"2011-09-14","status":"o"},{"topic":"Countryside","id":"43133","proposer":"24932","edm":"2062","session":"2010-12","title":"Stop The Drop Campaign","text":"That this House supports the Stop the Drop campaign, run by the Campaign to Protect Rural England and its President Bill Bryson, to clean up litter and fly-tipping in the countryside; is concerned that, according to the Local Environment Quality Survey for England, litter levels in many areas remain unsatisfactory; welcomes a recent fall in the number of fly-tipping incidents reported to local authorities, but notes that few reported incidents of fly-tipping result in a prosecution; and calls on the Government to support a change to the law on roadside litter through the Localism Bill, to ensure that the owner of a vehicle from which litter is thrown is responsible for the act in the first instance and fined.","date":"2011-07-12","status":"o"},{"topic":"Countryside","id":"43135","proposer":"10534","edm":"2064","session":"2010-12","title":"John Clare Trust And Out Of School Learning","text":"That this House notes that 13 July is John Clare's birthday; congratulates the John Clare Trust on the launch of Every Child's Right to the English Countryside campaign; further notes that a survey by Natural England highlights the fact that the likelihood of a child in the UK visiting any green space has halved in a generation; believes that schooling outside the classroom is a vital aspect of a child's education and development; and calls for schools, teachers, parents and Government departments to prioritise children's out of school learning.","date":"2011-07-12","status":"o"},{"topic":"Countryside","id":"42982","proposer":"11923","edm":"1914","session":"2010-12","title":"Winter Fell-Top Assessment Service","text":"That this House recognises the vital role of the Winter Fell-top Assessment Service in collecting data from the peak of Helvellyn every day in the winter season for the past 35 years; notes the invaluable information the Winter Fell-top Assessment Service provides for the 9.1 million British ramblers as well as the half a million annual callers to Weatherline and other people accessing data online; is concerned by the unfortunate and precarious future of this essential service due to current financial pressures on the Lake District National Park Authority that currently funds the fell-top assessment service at a cost of 25,000 per annum; and urges the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to provide a small amount of targeted financial support to the National Park Authority to ensure the survival of this critical service.","date":"2011-06-14","status":"o"},{"topic":"Countryside","id":"41470","proposer":"10431","edm":"517","session":"2010-12","title":"Sustainable Development In National Parks","text":"That this House welcomes the recent independent evaluation of the Sustainable Development Fund in National Parks undertaken by Land Use Consultants; notes the finding that the 9.9 million invested in the Sustainable Development Fund (SDF)has attracted 42.5 million in funding from other sources; recognises that the SDF has created jobs, has funded innovative projects which enable rural communities to fulfil their aspirations and has demonstrated national park authorities' commitment to tackling climate change and fostering social and economic well-being in local communities; congratulates the national park authorities for their efficient administration of the fund; acknowledges that the purpose of the SDF in English and Welsh National Parks and areas of outstanding natural beauty (AONBs) to fund projects with social, environmental and economic benefits remains as highly relevant today as at its inception; and encourages present and future administrations to demonstrate an ongoing commitment to National Parks and AONBs in their role as beacons for sustainable development.","date":"2010-07-15","status":"o"},{"topic":"Countryside","id":"41465","proposer":"10534","edm":"512","session":"2010-12","title":"Every Child's Right To The Countryside Campaign","text":"That this House notes with concern that, according to a recent survey by Natural England, children's access to the English countryside has plummeted by 50 per cent. in a generation; calls for a co-ordinated campaign to encourage young people to visit the countryside, reclaim their rural birthright and encourage schools to develop an active programme for out of school learning; and congratulates the John Clare Trust, which is transforming the English poet's former home in Helpston into a centre for learning outside the classroom, which will encourage children to learn from their rural environment through exploration of the arts, sciences and literature.","date":"2010-07-14","status":"o"},{"topic":"Countryside","id":"41389","proposer":"11489","edm":"446","session":"2010-12","title":"Shelter Cymru","text":"That this House commends Shelter Cymru's Information Matters to Rural Communities Project, which aims to improve awareness of services to alleviate homelessness and poverty, being run in Ceredigion, Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire; welcomes the funding provided by the Big Lottery Fund; recognises the lack of readily available advice and support in rural areas and the additional stigma attached to these issues in rural communities; further welcomes the distribution of 3,000 information packs containing advice on housing, debt, welfare benefits, rural well-being and contacts to obtain specialist advice in the three counties; and congratulates Shelter Cymru for the important work it has donein ensuring people in rural areas are able to access all the help available.","date":"2010-07-08","status":"o"},{"topic":"Countryside","id":"41187","proposer":"10222","edm":"264","session":"2010-12","title":"National Housing Federation's Save Our Villages Campaign","text":"That this House is deeply concerned about the desperate shortage of affordable housing in rural areas; recognises that without sufficient affordable housing many lower income earners and young people will be forced to leave the countryside, putting local businesses and services under further threat of closure; notes the lack of research about the true level of rural housing need; and therefore supports the National Housing Federation's Save Our Villages campaign calling on the Government and local authorities to ensure that every rural ward is assessed for housing need every three years and is covered by an action plan to address that need.","date":"2010-06-17","status":"o"},{"topic":"Countryside","id":"41090","proposer":"24729","edm":"167","session":"2010-12","title":"Green Belt Land And Unauthorised Traveller Development","text":"That this House notes with concern that unauthorised development can currently be undertaken by travellers who exploit delays in the planning enforcement system; believes that this problem can be tackled if the concept of retrospective planning permission is limited and councils are given stronger powers to deal with unauthorised development; and calls on the Government to ensure that all settled and traveller communities are treated equally and even-handedly in the planning process.","date":"2010-06-08","status":"o"},{"topic":"Countryside","id":"41091","proposer":"24713","edm":"168","session":"2010-12","title":"Green Belt Protection","text":"That this House notes that regional spatial strategies removed green belt protection and caused environmental harm; believes that it was right for the Government to announce its early intention to abolish regional spatial strategies and to return decision-making powers on housing and planning to local authorities; welcomes the Government's clarification that local planning authorities and the Planning Inspectorate must have regard to this emerging policy as a material consideration in any planning decisions they are undertaking; and calls on the Government to bring forward primary legislation abolishing regional housing targets outright as quickly as possible.","date":"2010-06-08","status":"o"},{"topic":"Countryside","id":"41032","proposer":"24830","edm":"116","session":"2010-12","title":"Hunting Act 2004","text":"That this House reaffirms its support for the Hunting Act 2004 and notes that there have been almost 140 convictions under the Act; recognises that the vast majority of the public support the Act across all regional, political, social and religious divides; and therefore believes that any attempt to repeal the Act would be a retrograde step and out of keeping with a civilised society.","date":"2010-05-27","status":"o"},{"topic":"Countryside","id":"40793","proposer":"10312","edm":"1151","session":"2009-10","title":"Suffolk Coast And Heaths Area Of Outstanding Natural Beauty Extension Proposal","text":"That this House welcomes Tendring District Council's proposal to extend the Suffolk Coast and Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty to include the southern shore of the River Stour; notes the need for recognised legal protection and stewardship for this important landscape; and calls on Natural England to grant the extension, which is supported by The Forestry Commission, The National Trust and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.","date":"2010-03-22","status":"o"},{"topic":"Countryside","id":"39954","proposer":"11324","edm":"392","session":"2009-10","title":"Affordable Rural Housing","text":"That this House is deeply concerned about the shortage of affordable housing in rural areas and the threat it poses to the viability of rural communities; notes that the average price of a home in the countryside is now around \u00a340,000 more than in urban areas, pricing many lower income earners and young people out of the communities in which they work and were brought up; believes that in order for the shortage to be addressed, local authorities must be fully aware of housing need in each of their rural wards; supports calls by the National Housing Federation and the Countryside Alliance for the Government to ensure that local authorities and their residents have easy access to all relevant national and regional data about rural housing need in their area; and calls on the Government, in conjuction with local authorities, to make the provision of affordable rural housing a priority.","date":"2009-12-08","status":"o"},{"topic":"Countryside","id":"39852","proposer":"10431","edm":"292","session":"2009-10","title":"60th Anniversary Of The National Parks And Access To The Countryside Act 1949","text":"That this House welcomes the 60th anniversary of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949; notes that this visionary piece of legislation led to the creation of National Parks, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, National Nature Reserves, the Public Rights of Way framework and National Trails; sees the UK's protected landscapes as assets to the nation which enjoy widespread public support and are enjoyed by millions of visitors, as well as being home to farmers and local communities who are vital to sustaining them; celebrates the diversity of the UK's protected landscapes from upland to lowland areas across Great Britain; notes that they provide havens for wildlife, stunning scenery, cultural heritage, opportunities for promoting physical, mental and spiritual well-being, a playground for learning for all ages, and are exemplars in sustainable farming, links between urban and rural communities, demonstrators of sustainable development in practice, stores for carbon and places that promote solutions to the challenges of climate change; welcomes the significant achievements obtained from those working in partnership in these areas; acknowledges that the benefits of protected landscapes are enduring though the challenges they face have changed over time; welcomes the support that successive Governments and all political parties have given to protected landscapes; and urges future administrations to demonstrate continuing support for these special areas.","date":"2009-11-30","status":"o"},{"topic":"Countryside","id":"39719","proposer":"11923","edm":"179","session":"2009-10","title":"Sarda Lakes","text":"That this House applauds the work of SARDA Lakes who specialise in training and using dogs for the search and rescue of lost or injured persons in mountainous areas; recognises that through their affiliation with the Lake District Search and Mountain Rescue Association they make up an essential part of this rescue team and do vital work in saving lives; congratulates them on the many people they have rescued over the 40 years they have been operating; and urges them to continue their good work in making mountains and hills safe for all to enjoy.","date":"2009-11-24","status":"o"},{"topic":"Countryside","id":"39693","proposer":"11245","edm":"154","session":"2009-10","title":"Green Belt Policy","text":"That this House believes that Britain's green belt is one of our most valuable assets and therefore calls on the Government and local authorities to redouble efforts to protect it.","date":"2009-11-23","status":"o"},{"topic":"Countryside","id":"39666","proposer":"10295","edm":"129","session":"2009-10","title":"Protection And Creation Of Bridleways","text":"That this House calls for increased protection, maintenance and creation of bridleways and off-road facilities for horse riders; notes with concern the sharp increase in road accidents involving horses, riders and motor vehicles; further calls for measures to be taken to ensure everyone can enjoy access to the countryside safely; recalls the aims of the Discovering Lost Ways project which sought to produce a definitive map of pathways to become modern rights of way; and further calls on the Government to liaise with equestrian groups, rambling societies and others who value the countryside to use the data collected to invest smartly in maintaining and improving access for equestrians.","date":"2009-11-19","status":"o"},{"topic":"Countryside","id":"39421","proposer":"10295","edm":"2171","session":"2008-09","title":"Protection And Creation Of Bridleways","text":"That this House calls for the increased protection for and maintenance of bridleways and off-road facilities for horse riders and for the creation of new bridleways; notes with concern the sharp increase in road accidents involving horses, riders and motor vehicles; calls for measures to be taken to ensure that everyone can enjoy access to the countryside safely; recalls the aims of the Discovering Lost Ways project which sought to produce a definitive map of pathways to become modern rights of way; and calls on the Government to liaise with equestrian groups, rambling societies and others who value the countryside to use the data collected to invest in maintaining and improving access to the countryside for equestrians.","date":"2009-10-27","status":"o"},{"topic":"Countryside","id":"39053","proposer":"10534","edm":"1841","session":"2008-09","title":"CHILDREN'S ACCESS TO THE COUNTRYSIDE AND THE JOHN CLARE TRUST","text":"That this House notes with concern that, according to a recent survey by Natural England, children's access to the English countryside has plummeted by 50 per cent. in a generation; calls for a coordinated campaign to encourage young people to visit the countryside and reclaim their rural birthright; and congratulates the John Clare Trust, which is transforming the English poet's former home in Helpston into a Centre for Learning Outside the Classroom, which will encourage children to learn from their rural environment through exploration of the arts, sciences and literature.","date":"2009-07-08","status":"o"},{"topic":"Countryside","id":"39024","proposer":"10619","edm":"1795A1","session":"2008-09","title":"Inland Waterways","text":"at end add `, including a detailed action plan to build the proposed Burslem Port.'.","date":"2009-07-03","status":"o"},{"topic":"Countryside","id":"38995","proposer":"10018","edm":"1795","session":"2008-09","title":"Inland Waterways","text":"That this House congratulates the nine waterway organisations including the Inland Waterways Association, Royal Yachting Association and British Marine Federation that have joined together to promote inland waterways; notes that they recognise the importance waterways have for leisure, recreation, business and freight; further notes their call for a comprehensive overhaul of waterways legislation, for recognition across Government departments of inland waterways' importance, for the restoration of derelict waterways and for the construction of new waterways where there is a social, environmental or business case; and believes that the current review of Waterways for Tomorrow should identify clear key performance indicators and timescales for delivery and an appropriate funding strategy.","date":"2009-07-01","status":"o"},{"topic":"Countryside","id":"38810","proposer":"10944","edm":"1577A1","session":"2008-09","title":"Increased Access To Waterways In England And Wales","text":"leave out `and Wales'.","date":"2009-06-09","status":"o"},{"topic":"Countryside","id":"38753","proposer":"11324","edm":"1575","session":"2008-09","title":"NATIONAL HOUSING FEDERATION'S SAVE OUR VILLAGES CAMPAIGN","text":"That this House is deeply concerned about the desperate shortage of affordable housing in rural areas; recognises that without sufficient affordable housing many lower income earners and young people will be forced to leave the countryside, putting local businesses and services under further threat of closure; notes the lack of research about the true level of rural housing need; and therefore supports the National Housing Federation's Save Our Villages campaign calling on the Government and local authorities to ensure that every rural ward is assessed for housing need and covered by an action plan to address that need every three years.","date":"2009-06-02","status":"o"},{"topic":"Countryside","id":"38755","proposer":"10248","edm":"1577","session":"2008-09","title":"Increased Access To Waterways In England And Wales","text":"That this House applauds the British Canoe Union for staging an excellent 2009 European Canoe Slalom Championships in Nottingham, 28 to 31 May 2009, and celebrates the notable success of Team GB in taking four medals in total, two gold, one silver and one bronze; welcomes the BBC's live coverage on a busy sporting weekend; notes that over 2.5 million paddlers in Britain only have access to 1,400 miles of inland water in England and Wales, which is less than four per cent. of the total 41,000 miles of waterways over three metres wide; further notes that while the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2002 only incorporates land, the Scottish Land Reform Act 2003 and its supporting Scottish Outdoor Access Code includes waterways, ensuring that paddlers have the same rights as walkers and access to all of Scotland's waterways; and calls on the Government to set a realistic target for increased access to waterways in England and Wales by the Olympic year of 2012.","date":"2009-06-02","status":"o"},{"topic":"Countryside","id":"38238","proposer":"10097","edm":"1126","session":"2008-09","title":"Coastal Access For Dog Walkers","text":"That this House recognises the potential for the proposed Marine Bill to increase access to the coastline for the UK's 7.3 million dogs and their owners; appreciates the considerable health benefits that walking a dog can bring; recognises that dog owners have a legal responsibility under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 to provide their dogs with adequate exercise; notes the environmental benefits of dog owners being able to access land within their local areas without needing to drive; and therefore believes that the Marine and Coastal Access Bill should ensure that dog owners continue to enjoy full access to the coastline.","date":"2009-03-18","status":"o"},{"topic":"Countryside","id":"37505","proposer":"10177","edm":"481","session":"2008-09","title":"Public Support For The Hunting Act 2004","text":"That this House reaffirms its support for the Hunting Act 2004; notes the Ipsos MORI poll in September 2008 highlighting that three out of every four people in Britain do not want fox-hunting to be made legal again, and that 71 per cent. of the rural community backs the ban on fox-hunting; notes that the rule of law applies to all individuals; and calls upon the Government to ensure the Act is enforced consistently.","date":"2009-01-15","status":"o"},{"topic":"Countryside","id":"37044","proposer":"10470","edm":"52","session":"2008-09","title":"Rural Poverty","text":"That this House notes with concern that 1.6 million people in rural areas live below the poverty line; recognises that poor access to transport, employment, health services, post offices and other services such as information technology can further isolate those who are most vulnerable, such as the elderly; and calls on the Government to ensure that central and local decision-making takes into account rural communities and that policies help to release the vast untapped potential of the rural economy as well as tackling rural disadvantage.","date":"2008-12-03","status":"o"},{"topic":"Countryside","id":"37090","proposer":"12004","edm":"100","session":"2008-09","title":"Isle Of Barra: Community Of The Year Winner","text":"That this House warmly congratulates the community of the Island of Barra, in the constituency of Na h-Eileanan an Iar, for being adjudged the Community of the Year in a UK-wide competition at the Guildhall in London sponsored by Calor Gas; notes that the island is famous for its Gaelic culture, history and landscape of mountains and beaches; further notes that the island airport is the only commercial airport in the world that uses a beach, which can be viewed clearly on Google Earth; and further notes that owing to the introduction of road equivalent tariff, ferry fares have dropped dramatically, making Barra, once the backdrop for the famous Ealing Studios film Whisky Galore, and the Outer Hebrides generally, both an ideal and affordable holiday location in times of the credit crunch.","date":"2008-12-03","status":"o"},{"topic":"Countryside","id":"36494","proposer":"11923","edm":"2143","session":"2007-08","title":"National Parks","text":"That this House notes that National Parks are run by appointed individuals; further notes that National Parks have many of the powers of local councils, but without any formal accountability; recognises that the National Parks' authorities would gain more trust and respect if a proportion of their members were directly elected; welcomes the consultation on direct elections for National Parks that has been issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; and calls for National Parks to have a directly elected element to ensure that they are accountable to the people who live there.","date":"2008-10-06","status":"c"},{"topic":"Countryside","id":"36406","proposer":"10518","edm":"2064","session":"2007-08","title":"NORTH WALES RAMBLERS' ASSOCIATION 20TH ANNIVERSARY","text":"That this House congratulates North Wales Area Ramblers' Association on its 20th anniversary; notes that it has over 2,000 members and has produced its most comprehensive guided walks programme for the second half of 2008 with over 300 walks ranging from short strolls, longer walks over the lowlands, to strenuous walks and scrambles; and considers that such a programme is a reminder of just how many people enjoy walking, and how important catering for walkers is to the economy of North Wales, and how essential it is that local people strive to keep footpaths free of obstruction, and that they are clearly marked and signposted.","date":"2008-07-16","status":"c"},{"topic":"Countryside","id":"36350","proposer":"10534","edm":"2013","session":"2007-08","title":"JOHN CLARE'S BIRTHDAY","text":"That this House notes that 13th July marks the birthday of the much loved English poet, John Clare, who was born in the village of Helpston in 1793; further notes that there is at present no date on which England's rural heritage is celebrated; and therefore calls upon the Government to establish 13th July as the day to celebrate both John Clare's life and the English countryside in summer.","date":"2008-07-10","status":"c"},{"topic":"Countryside","id":"36351","proposer":"11923","edm":"2014","session":"2007-08","title":"Bluetongue Protection Zone","text":"That this House expresses concern that as of the beginning of July, Cumbria and other counties in the north of England have not been placed in the bluetongue protection zone or received bluetongue vaccine; is particularly concerned about the effect that late administration of the vaccine may have on the ability of livestock farmers in Cumbria to move their animals to sale later in the summer, given that this would cause enormous hardship for farming communities; and calls on the Government to ensure that animals in Cumbria and other affected counties are vaccinated as a matter of urgency.","date":"2008-07-10","status":"c"},{"topic":"Countryside","id":"36355","proposer":"10295","edm":"2018","session":"2007-08","title":"LOCAL FARMERS' POLICY","text":"That this House calls for the launch of local food procurement policies to be imposed on supermarkets, schools, universities and hospitals; further calls on the Government to encourage supermarkets to commit themselves to local competition policies to promote local self-reliance, regeneration of local communities and sustainable local economy; further calls for taxes on supermarket food to be based on the road and air miles that stock travels to encourage local sourcing; and notes that the current supermarket code of practice requires legal strengthening by the appointment of an independent ombudsman to secure and regulate fair trade between supermarkets and local suppliers.","date":"2008-07-10","status":"c"},{"topic":"Countryside","id":"36118","proposer":"10647","edm":"1814","session":"2007-08","title":"Macclesfield Constituency Post Office Branches","text":"That this House is concerned by the proposed closure of the Bollinbrook, Bollington Cross, Sutton, Broken Cross, Gawsworth and Hockley post office branches in Macclesfield constituency; recognises the vital importance of these individual post office branches in serving the local communities; urges the Government and Post Office Ltd to listen properly to the views of all local people during the consultation process and reverse the policy of closing sub-post offices; acknowledges that the Bollinbrook, Bollington Cross, Sutton, Broken Cross, Gawsworth and Hockley post office branches in Macclesfield constituency provide their surrounding communities with their only source of accessing vital services; regrets that the Government has chosen to manage the decline of the Post Office network instead of finding solutions, which would bring new business to the sub-post offices, such as freeing sub-post offices to offer new services and to work with carriers other than the Royal Mail; calls upon Government to accept the essential and continuing need for the Bollinbrook, Bollington Cross, Sutton, Broken Cross, Gawsworth and Hockley post office branches and other sub-post offices throughout Macclesfield constituency to remain fully operational; and further calls on the Government to adopt a more constructive policy towards bringing new business to the network thereby saving many post office branches from closure.","date":"2008-06-17","status":"c"},{"topic":"Countryside","id":"36080","proposer":"11817","edm":"1779","session":"2007-08","title":"Amalgamation Of Bayston Hill Primary Schools","text":"That this House notes with concern the proposed amalgamation of two primary schools in the Shropshire village of Bayston Hill and that the hard-working teachers and Head of Oakland School are vehemently opposed to these plans; further notes that the parents of Oakland School and governors are passionately trying to save the school from amalgamation as they wish to retain their excellent school which has tremendous results year on year; applauds the courage, tenacity and determination of the Head of Governors and local resident Mr Cameron Taylor for the work he is doing to try to save Oakland School; considers that in the fourth largest economy in the world the Labour Government should be supporting individual choices of parents of schools like Oakland rather than wilfully neglecting investment in education in rural shire counties like Shropshire, which is leading to this deeply unpopular move in Bayston Hill; and believes that parents in Bayston Hill have been let down by the Government, which on the one hand states that rural primary schools should not be closed and yet will not lift a finger to ensure that Oakland School is saved; and urges the Minister responsible, the hon. Member for Dorset South, to explain why the Government is doing so little to listen to the concerns of Mr Cameron Taylor and other governors of Oakland School.","date":"2008-06-12","status":"c"},{"topic":"Countryside","id":"36087","proposer":"11696","edm":"1715A1","session":"2007-08","title":"Rural Schools Closures","text":"leave out from `the' to `and' in line 6 and insert `proposed amalgamation of primary schools in rural villages which are not supported by the governing bodies of the schools concerned'.","date":"2008-06-12","status":"c"},{"topic":"Countryside","id":"36088","proposer":"11696","edm":"1715A2","session":"2007-08","title":"Rural Schools Closures","text":"leave out `proposed school closures, including those of' and insert `proposed amalgamation of'.","date":"2008-06-12","status":"c"},{"topic":"Countryside","id":"36089","proposer":"11696","edm":"1715A3","session":"2007-08","title":"Rural Schools Closures","text":"at end add `and Longmeadow and Oakland schools in Bayston Hill'.","date":"2008-06-12","status":"c"},{"topic":"Countryside","id":"36001","proposer":"10465","edm":"1715","session":"2007-08","title":"Rural Schools Closures","text":"That this House notes with concern the mass school closures taking place in Shropshire; condemns the policy of mass school closure by many councils in the area; notes that OFSTED reports should be taken into account when considering closure; urges councils to observe high standards of accuracy when making a case for closure; calls for councils to consider the needs and concerns of the local community as far as possible when considering closures; and urges Shropshire Council to reconsider its proposed school closures, including those of Lydbury North and Clunbury schools.","date":"2008-06-06","status":"c"},{"topic":"Countryside","id":"36003","proposer":"10190","edm":"1717","session":"2007-08","title":"Commission For Rural Communities Report","text":"That this House notes the recent report of the Commission for Rural Communities; further notes that Stuart Burgess, the chairman of the Commission for Rural Communities, has said that rural areas have up to \u00c2\u00a3347 billion a year of untapped potential; regrets that rural communities are often marginalised by the Government which has led to the decline of the importance of villages; and calls on the Government to implement the findings of the report, namely to install an economic minister to oversee support of rural economies, a rural summit to pursue local business, a rural finance forum to tap into private and public money and a rural innovation initiative to encourage entrepreneurs and ensure access to resources such as broadband.","date":"2008-06-06","status":"c"},{"topic":"Countryside","id":"35916","proposer":"11494","edm":"1634","session":"2007-08","title":"Stop The Drop Campaign Against Litter And Fly-Tipping","text":"That this House welcomes Stop the Drop, the new campaign by the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) and its President Bill Bryson to clean up litter and fly-tipping in the countryside; believes that litter and fly-tipping blight too many towns, cities and rural areas and diminish the quality of the local environment across the UK; notes that the campaign calls on local authorities and other responsible bodies to make better use of powers given to them by the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005 to address litter and fly-tipping and punish those responsible for it; further notes that CPRE has welcomed the Government's recent announcement that there will be legislation to require supermarkets to charge for single-use plastic bags unless they make progress on a voluntary basis, but that CPRE is also calling on Ministers to give broader leadership in the fight against litter and fly-tipping; and calls on the Government to support the Stop the Drop campaign, in the first instance by examining the benefits of a deposit scheme for used drinks containers, as currently in place in a number of other countries, to encourage consumers to return and recycle those containers and to reduce their accumulation in the environment as litter.","date":"2008-05-22","status":"c"},{"topic":"Countryside","id":"35830","proposer":"10336","edm":"1526A1","session":"2007-08","title":"Digital Divide In Rural Areas","text":"after `Devon', insert `and Wiltshire'.","date":"2008-05-13","status":"c"},{"topic":"Countryside","id":"35794","proposer":"10262","edm":"1526","session":"2007-08","title":"Digital Divide In Rural Areas","text":"That this House recognises the existence of a digital divide in rural areas of the UK; notes that residents in areas such as Devon are being further exposed to this problem through the digital television switchover; is concerned that residents in South West England are still falling prey to inadequate systems of implementation preventing them from enjoying access to internet, mobile and television services which denies them the benefits of 21st century communications available to others; and calls for the implementation of systems combining the use of satellites and appropriate ground-based communications technology that remove transmission blind spots so that these services are available to everyone irrespective of location.","date":"2008-05-08","status":"c"},{"topic":"Countryside","id":"35475","proposer":"10190","edm":"1241","session":"2007-08","title":"Lancashire Rural Futures","text":"That this House recognises that the Lancashire Rural Futures partnership has helped rural businesses develop new opportunities for nine years since it was set up as the Bowland Initiative in 1999; notes that the initiative has created and safeguarded more than 1,200 jobs and facilitated the investment of over \u00c2\u00a326 million into rural Lancashire; regrets that the project is due to close on 31st March 2008, a move that will represent a significant blow to the rural community and those members of staff who will be made redundant; understands that Lancashire County Council and Business Link Lancashire had offered almost half the funding to maintain the project; is disappointed that the North West Development Agency declined to match that funding and assist Lancashire Rural Futures; and calls on the North West Development Agency to reverse its decision and to fund Lancashire Rural Futures.","date":"2008-03-20","status":"c"},{"topic":"Countryside","id":"35318","proposer":"11406","edm":"1103","session":"2007-08","title":"Funding For Rural Community Councils","text":"That this House notes that Rural Community Councils (RCCs) do an important job in supporting the needs of rural communities; futher notes that core funding support for RCCs has been in place, via a number of different agencies, for over 25 years; further notes, however, that RCCs across the country are currently experiencing a funding crisis; further notes that Humber and Wolds Rural Community Council, in the East Riding of Yorkshire, will receive 10 per cent. less funding this year than they did in 2007; further notes that they will receive no increase to cater for inflation; further notes that as a result, 12 full-time members of staff have recently been made redundant; and calls upon the Government to equip RCCs with the funding and resources needed to make a purposeful difference to rural communities.","date":"2008-03-04","status":"c"},{"topic":"Countryside","id":"35324","proposer":"11170","edm":"1109","session":"2007-08","title":"Capital Gains Tax, Second Homes And The 2008 Budget","text":"That this House notes with concern that the 2007 Budget announced plans to reduce capital gains tax on the sale of second homes to 18 per cent.; further notes that the new tax rate is due to come into force in April; welcomes the decision by the Prime Minister to establish an inquiry into the rural housing crisis; notes with interest the comments of the author of the review, the hon. Member for Truro and St Austell, that local planning authorities should have the power to prevent the purchase of second homes in areas of high housing pressure; further welcomes the comments of the Government's rural affairs adviser that the proposed reduction in capital gains tax on second homes will worsen rural poverty and make property unaffordable; and calls for the Government to scrap its reduction in capital gains tax on second homes in the 2008 budget.","date":"2008-03-04","status":"c"},{"topic":"Countryside","id":"35326","proposer":"10262","edm":"1111","session":"2007-08","title":"Rural Poverty (No. 2)","text":"That this House welcomes the Report of the Rural Advocate 2007; is concerned that there are over 928,000 rural households living below the Government's official poverty threshold; believes that more needs to be done to support people living in rural areas and listen to their views; urges the Government to do more to help protect the most vulnerable people in rural areas; and calls on the Government to end the closures of post offices which are so vital to people in rural and low-income areas.","date":"2008-03-04","status":"c"},{"topic":"Countryside","id":"34970","proposer":"10190","edm":"805","session":"2007-08","title":"Protection Of Village Schools","text":"That this House recognises the importance of village schools to their communities; notes that plans to close village schools across the UK represent yet another example of the systematic dismantling of the rural way of life; and calls on the Government to honour its pledge made in 1998 for the protection of village schools and to provide local authorities with the requisite support.","date":"2008-01-29","status":"c"},{"topic":"Countryside","id":"34778","proposer":"11607","edm":"625","session":"2007-08","title":"South Pennines","text":"That this House recognises that the South Pennines is a landscape of national importance for its wildlife, its industrial heritage and for the benefit it brings to the wellbeing of those living in it and within the three city regions that surround it; notes that it is a cross regional asset of immeasurable importance under continuous pressure; and acknowledges the essential role of Pennine Prospects in facilitating joint working across the two regions to protect, enhance and raise the profile of this vital, upland landscape.","date":"2007-12-18","status":"c"},{"topic":"Countryside","id":"34582","proposer":"11923","edm":"449","session":"2007-08","title":"Beech Trees","text":"That this House believes that beech trees are an integral part of the British landscape; is dismayed that beech trees are at risk of disappearing from parts of the British Isles due to a combination of felling in the north and climate change in the south; further believes that beeches should be reclassified in Cumbria as new native in order to prevent their felling as non-native; and wishes to ensure that these trees will be around for the benefit of biodiversity and future generations.","date":"2007-12-03","status":"c"},{"topic":"Countryside","id":"34565","proposer":"10323","edm":"402A1","session":"2007-08","title":"Bridleways","text":"at end add `and cyclists.'.","date":"2007-11-28","status":"c"},{"topic":"Countryside","id":"34524","proposer":"10295","edm":"402","session":"2007-08","title":"Bridleways","text":"That this House recognises the importance of bridleways for horseriders to exercise in safety and enjoy the countryside; notes that many bridleways are in poor condition or are abused by people using motorised vehicles; and calls on the Government actively to promote the use of bridleways, to ensure that those who use bridleways inappropriately are fined, to look to extend the number of bridleways across the country and to ensure that existing bridleways are kept open and are well maintained for horseriders.","date":"2007-11-27","status":"c"},{"topic":"Countryside","id":"34513","proposer":"10426","edm":"392","session":"2007-08","title":"Broadband Access And Rural Areas","text":"That this House notes the increasing importance of broadband communication technology; acknowledges that the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform states that 99 per cent. of British households can receive broadband services; yet further notes that many households in rural villages such as Waltham St. Lawrence are unable to access the internet using broadband connections; and calls on the Government and Ofcom to work with broadband suppliers to improve access to broadband and telecommunication services in rural areas.","date":"2007-11-26","status":"c"},{"topic":"Countryside","id":"34443","proposer":"10597","edm":"325","session":"2007-08","title":"SHERWOOD'S LIVING LEGEND LOTTERY BID","text":"That this House welcomes the Big Lottery's The People's \u00c2\u00a350 million contest; encourages viewers to vote following the screening of the four selected bids to be shown on ITV during the week beginning 3rd December 2007; recognises the strength of the Sherwood: The Living Legend bid in enhancing the environment and lifting the quality of landscape surrounding this internationally renowned woodland; notes the forest's contribution to tackling climate change; values the creation of new paths and cycle ways across a wide area in the Midlands and north of England; is concerned that two of the other selected bids have already received millions of pounds of Lottery funding; continues to press the case for a fair distribution of Lottery funding; and wishes Sherwood, the strongest and most sustainable bid, every success.","date":"2007-11-20","status":"c"},{"topic":"Countryside","id":"34237","proposer":"11923","edm":"147","session":"2007-08","title":"Second Home Ownership","text":"That this House notes the distortions caused to rural housing markets by high levels of second home ownership, which can exclude local people from buying a home in their own community; further notes that disproportionate second home ownership can lead to critical reductions in demand for local services such as schools, post offices and public transport; and calls for local communities to be given powers to set the right balance for them between affordable and second homes, including amending planning law to make transferring the use of a property from a main home to a second home a formal change of use and to allow local authorities to levy business rates on second homes in their areas.","date":"2007-11-07","status":"c"},{"topic":"Countryside","id":"34244","proposer":"11923","edm":"154","session":"2007-08","title":"Affordable Homes In Rural Areas","text":"That this House calls on local authorities to take a lead by seeking to solve the lack of affordable homes in rural areas, and the challenges to the viability of farms, by working with farmers, house builders and housing associations in order to make use of disused or underused farm buildings for the exclusive purpose of creating affordable homes for local people.","date":"2007-11-07","status":"c"},{"topic":"Countryside","id":"34101","proposer":"10470","edm":"11","session":"2007-08","title":"Access To Coast And Countryside","text":"That this House recognises the importance of public access to the coast and countryside for the health and wellbeing of the nation; supports the expansion of access alongside appropriate protection for sensitive habitats; and believes that this is best achieved through voluntary agreements with those who own and manage the land, rather than by the creation of more statutory powers.","date":"2007-11-06","status":"c"},{"topic":"Countryside","id":"34109","proposer":"10470","edm":"19","session":"2007-08","title":"Rural Poverty","text":"That this House notes with concern that one in five people live in poverty in rural areas and that nearly half of those in poverty are in working households; recognises that poor access to transport, employment, health services, post offices and other services such as information technology can further isolate those who are most vulnerable, such as the elderly; and calls on the Government to ensure that central and local decision-making takes into account rural communities and that policies encourage local opportunities as well as tackling rural disadvantage.","date":"2007-11-06","status":"c"}]