We asked, You said, We did
We Asked
Rushborough District Council is committed to ensuring our parks and green spaces meet the needs of our communities now and in the future. Thank you to everyone who took part in our recent consultation—your feedback is helping to shape improvements across Rushborough's parks, play areas, and open spaces.
- We asked which aspects of our parks and green spaces matter most to you.
- We asked what changes would make you feel safer when visiting parks after dark.
- We asked whether existing facilities are accessible enough for people with disabilities.
- We asked what improvements you would prioritise for play areas and family spaces.
- We asked how you would like us to balance nature conservation with well-maintained open spaces.
You Said
- Cleanliness and regular maintenance were your top priorities, particularly tackling litter and overfowing bins.
- You told us safety is a key concern, calling for better lighting, clearer sightlines, and a visible presence at busy times.
- You said more inclusive facilities are needed, including accessible paths, benches at regular intervals, and improved toilets.
- Families asked for upgraded play equipment, more shaded seating areas, and clearer separation between dog-walking and children’s zones.
- You supported more nature-friendly management such as wildflower planting and tree coverage, while still wanting spaces to feel tidy and usable.
We Did
- We launched a new grounds maintenance schedule with weekly litter collections across all 14 parks from April.
- We installed additional LED lighting along the main pathways in Rushborough Central Park and Eastfield Recreation Ground.
- We resurfaced accessible paths in three parks and added 28 new benches and two fully accessible toilet blocks.
- We invested £180,000 in upgraded play equipment and created designated dog exercise areas at six sites across the district.
- We set aside 15% of parkland for wildflower meadows and native tree planting, in line with our biodiversity commitments.
Overview
Overview
Access to reliable, high-speed broadband is increasingly recognised as essential infrastructure, comparable to electricity and clean water. Despite significant investment over the past decade, approximately 1.4 million premises across the country — concentrated in rural, coastal, and post-industrial areas — remain without access to broadband speeds meeting the current Universal Service Obligation (USO) threshold of 10 Mbps download and 1 Mbps upload.
Access to reliable, high-speed broadband is increasingly recognised as essential infrastructure, comparable to electricity and clean water. Despite significant investment over the past decade, approximately 1.4 million premises across the country — concentrated in rural, coastal, and post-industrial areas — remain without access to broadband speeds meeting the current Universal Service Obligation (USO) threshold of 10 Mbps download and 1 Mbps upload.
The government's Connected Nation Strategy 2025–2035 sets an ambition of gigabit-capable connectivity for 99% of premises by 2035. Achieving this target requires both regulatory reform and new funding mechanisms. This consultation sets out three specific proposals and seeks evidence and views on their likely impacts.
Proposal 1 — Extending Universal Service Obligations
Currently, USO obligations apply only to operators with more than 500,000 subscribers. The government proposes lowering this threshold to 50,000 subscribers. This would bring an additional 14 operators within scope of mandatory rollout requirements.
Currently, USO obligations apply only to operators with more than 500,000 subscribers. The government proposes lowering this threshold to 50,000 subscribers. This would bring an additional 14 operators within scope of mandatory rollout requirements.
Proposal 2 — Establishment of a Rural Connectivity Fund
The government proposes establishing a Rural Connectivity Fund (RCF), capitalised through a 0.4% levy on the annual revenues of broadband providers operating predominantly in urban areas (defined as areas with population density exceeding 500 persons per km²). The RCF would be administered by the independent telecoms regulator and used to co-fund infrastructure deployment in areas deemed commercially unviable.
The government proposes establishing a Rural Connectivity Fund (RCF), capitalised through a 0.4% levy on the annual revenues of broadband providers operating predominantly in urban areas (defined as areas with population density exceeding 500 persons per km²). The RCF would be administered by the independent telecoms regulator and used to co-fund infrastructure deployment in areas deemed commercially unviable.
Proposal 3 — Planning Permission Reforms
Delays in obtaining planning permission for mast and duct installation are a frequently cited barrier to deployment, particularly in National Parks, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and Conservation Areas. The government proposes introducing a deemed consent mechanism for low-impact infrastructure (defined by height, footprint, and visual intrusion criteria) in such areas, subject to a 28-day local authority review window.
Delays in obtaining planning permission for mast and duct installation are a frequently cited barrier to deployment, particularly in National Parks, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and Conservation Areas. The government proposes introducing a deemed consent mechanism for low-impact infrastructure (defined by height, footprint, and visual intrusion criteria) in such areas, subject to a 28-day local authority review window.
Equalities and Impact Assessment
The government has conducted a preliminary Equality Impact Assessment. We welcome evidence on any differential impacts these proposals may have on groups sharing protected characteristics, including older persons, disabled people, and those experiencing socioeconomic disadvantage.
The government has conducted a preliminary Equality Impact Assessment. We welcome evidence on any differential impacts these proposals may have on groups sharing protected characteristics, including older persons, disabled people, and those experiencing socioeconomic disadvantage.