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.

‘And people who do try to actually connect are confused about how they should engage with their local councillor.'

The report launched later today (Thursday), entitled Participation inquiry: Strengthening the role of local councillors,  has put forward a number of recommendations to engage local residents in  decision-making.

Key among these are to create powerful new unitary authorities, end council tax capping for rural local government, and move towards elections rather than co-options for parish councils.