by Tim Parry, Chief Executive Officer

I was very pleased to be invited to meet with Lee Dillon, MP for Newbury, to discuss rural issues within his constituency. Our meeting at Portcullis House in Westminster covered a wide range of topics, including affordable housing, access to banking and pharmacy services, decarbonisation, and local government reorganisation.

Lee’s background in housing gives him a strong understanding of the challenges facing rural communities, particularly around retaining affordable homes for people with local connections. I’ll be keeping him updated on the progress of our Rural Affordable Housing project in communities across his constituency.

Local government reorganisation is on the horizon, and regardless of the outcome, change often brings additional costs for the voluntary and community sector. Responding to these changes can divert charities from their core mission and may result in increased operational expenses. I hope this concern can be raised within Government.

Finally, we discussed the importance of service delivery in rural areas. Outreach services are a lifeline for many, and there are significant opportunities to expand outreach provision across both public and private sectors. I look forward to working with Lee to champion outreach as a vital component of service delivery.