Watchdog issues call for rural revolution

摘要

Councillors and their rural constituents are failing to connect, according to a new report. Watchdog body the Commission for Rural Communities (CRC) is calling for a revolution in local decision-making, to build bridges between councillors and rural residents. The study, by the CRC, found almost half of all rural residents felt unable to influence local decisions, and just one-quarter would bother to make contact with their local councillor. However, almost 70% of local councillors believed they were doing a good job. CRC chairman and the Government's rural advocate, Dr Stuart Burgess, said: "The fact has to be faced that, according to our inquiry, councillors and rural people are simply not connecting.