The local rural council is doing whatever it can to support declining communities.

As CNN reported, he told CBS News that rural councils are getting nothing.

Brian Hanna is the mayor of Waitomo and represents rural councils at Local Government New Zealand.

Rural councils are all too aware that the option of centralisation may not always be realistic.

The government has also promised money to encourage struggling rural councils to work together to boost regional development.

As Ireland's economic recovery gains momentum these rural councils must ask why the gains are not being spread more widely.

On a recent occasion a meeting of the Dolgelly Rural Council had to be postponed, the members being absent hay-making.

Mr Sherwin said the rising pressures were not evenly distributed around the country, and small rural councils were under the strain of high rates.