Supporting Hampshire's Rural Communities
Approximately 75% of Hampshire is classified as rural and these areas are home to 300,000 people, 21.8% of the County’s total population.
Hampshire County Council provides a wide range of services which make a difference to residents’ lives on a daily basis. Alongside the Council’s strategic plan for 2017-2021 we also have a set of priorities to ensure the needs of our rural communities and businesses are met now and in the future.
Our rural priorities
Community resilience
We want to help communities address and resolve local challenges themselves, such as supporting older and vulnerable people, or responding to extreme weather events.
Rural transport
We want to support rural communities to tailor existing transport options (e.g. bus, minibus, volunteer drivers etc.) to better meet the needs of residents without cars.
Self-help
We want to support volunteering and community-led initiatives in rural communities.
Communications
We want to support the provision of broadband and mobile communications in rural areas.
Economic development
We want to support rural enterprises and forge strong links with Local Enterprise Partnerships and LEADER groups.
Your Rural Champion
Councillor Edward Heron as Executive Member for Countryside and Rural Affairs is the lead on rural affairs and issues affecting Hampshire’s rural communities and businesses.
