I feel compelled to voice my concerns about the settlement hierarchy as currently proposed. The reliance on the RSFA only offers a narrow view of what defines a successful community, and the categorisation seems overly simplistic in nature. My village, now classified as Tier 4, embodies a deep-rooted sense of community and a strong desire for growth and sustainability that transcends mere metrics of service provision. Simply assessing our potential based on detached data misses the deeper narratives that contribute to the vibrancy of rural life. To safeguard the future of our community, it’s essential to integrate qualitative assessments that consider the lived experiences of residents. I urge the council to amend the proposal, including measures to capture the broader social and cultural values intrinsic to rural settlements.