The RSN works to encourage a thriving rural economy in order to help support our rural communities.
T: 01822 851370 E: admin@sparse.gov.uk
Local Authority Finance
Local Authority Finance underpins all of the work of Local Authorities and effective management of these scarce resources is very important to all Councillors, Officers and Rural Communities.
We provide a range of services to help support Local Authority Finance Officers and Councillors.
Analysis of Local Authority Accounts
We carry out RO and RA analysis and provide comparisons for Councils so that they can see their spend or budgeted spend against other similar rural authorities.
RA Analysis
RO Analysis
Fairer Funding Campaign
A large part of our work includes campaigning for fairer funding for rural local authorities.
Did you know that in the Local Government Finance Settlement for 2023-24
- Urban local authorities will receive some 38% (£135) MORE in Government Funded Spending Power per head compared to rural authorities.
- Rural residents will pay, on average, 20.2% (£110) MORE per head in Council Tax than their urban counterparts due to receiving less government grant
- Rural residents will get 13% LESS per head in social care support overall
Rural residents pay more, receive fewer services and, on average, earn less than those in urban areas and that is inequitable
It costs more to deliver services in rural areas.
The way that the Local Government Finance Settlement has been calculated has resulted in rural areas being significantly underfunded when compared to urban areas for a number of years.
We want fairer funding for rural areas.
We appreciate that we are in a time of austerity and cuts are being made to local government funding, however we are campaigning for a fairer distribution of the funds, so that historical imbalances where rural areas are penalised, do not continue.
Our Fairer Funding Page details our campaign and the evidence to support our work
Analysis of Local Government Finance Settlement
Each year we provide an analysis of the Local Government Finance Settlement. This supports the work that we do with the Fairer Funding Campaign and also provides useful information for individual authorities as to their position.
Finance Briefing
We provide a range of information and briefings about key proposals from the Government in relation to local authority finance, consultation information and Calls for Evidence from both us and the Government for information.
02.08.2023
This analysis is taken from the RA revenue estimate returns made by each authority to the Government. It shows authority expenditiure per head divided into key areas of service and provides a comparison with relevant benchmarks. ...
20.04.2023
This analysis is taken from the final outturn estimates of local authority revenue expenditure and financing, and provides the expenditure per head for each service area, the corresponding percentage of total service expenditure, and in both cases an average for...
19.12.2022
Sparse Rural represents rural local authorities and is campaigning for Fairer Funding for Rural Areas. The Final Local Government Finance Settlement was published on 6th February 2023. It can be viewed at this link ...
22.10.2018
Our Chief Executive Graham Biggs MBE gave evidence today (16th October 2018) to the House of Lords Select Committee on the Rural Economy. He responded to a number of questions on the Rural Economy and here is a...
18.09.2018
The RSN has responded to the Finance Settlement 2019 Technical Consultation (September 2018) You can download the full RSN response below: PDF Version - click here Word version - click here...
04.04.2018
Response from the Rural Services Network/ SPARSE-Rural – March 2018 The Rural services Network, whilst represented on the Working Group welcomes the opportunity to input into the Fair Funding Relative Needs consultation 2018 You can download the...
28.10.2016
We provide a wide range of analysis and information to support our position with our fairer funding campaign. This ranges from information for Members of Parliament to enable them to take part in high profile parliamentary debates to information for...
28.10.2016
Submitted by email 28th October, 2016 to LGFConsultation@communities.gsi.gov.uk We are responding to this consultation as the organisation Rural Services Network. We are a Special Interest Group of the Local Government Association and we represent over 125 Local Authorities...
08.09.2016
1) 100% Business Rate Retention – CCN, RSN and DCN Shared Principles Statement The County Councils Network (CCN), District Councils' Network (DCN) and Rural Services Network (RSN) have jointly welcomed the Government's intention to move to 100% retention...
01.08.2016
Below are four briefing notes about the Government's proposals to radically overhaul local government finance by introducing 100% Business Rates retention. Their prime purpose is to aid understanding of the proposals and rural issues arising. They are based upon research commissioned...
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HOT TOPICS
Public Sector Funding
The RSN demands fairer funding from Central Government who have historically and systematically underfunded rural areas.
Barriers to Access
The RSN campaigns to help rural residents overcome multiple access barriers to key services which includes poor transport and broadband.
Future of Rural Areas
The RSN is challenging often overlooked rural threats such as chronic underfunding, changes in population and diminishing resources.
Rural Health and Wellbeing
The RSN wants to ensure rural communities have the same access to health care as is currently received in urban areas.
Rural Vulnerability
Rural residents can suffer from Rural Vulnerability, due to a combination of issues such as poor transport, lack of broadband low wages and higher than average house prices.
Rural Housing
The affordability of rural housing to people from a range of ages and backgrounds is key concern for RSN.
Rural Economy
The RSN works to encourage a thriving rural economy in order to help support our rural communities.
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