This week, we focus on the ongoing challenges facing rural communities, particularly the significant disparities revealed in the latest local government finance settlement. Rural areas continue to face higher costs and reduced services compared to urban counterparts, with rural residents paying 20% more in council tax and urban areas receiving 41% more in government funding. For more details, please read the full article.

Yesterday, the RSN Executive Board held its first meeting of the year, and everyone at the RSN would like to express our heartfelt thanks to Cllr Cecilia Motley for her exceptional service on the RSN Board. Cllr Motley has been a dedicated member since 2007, serving as Vice Chair until 2014, before becoming Chair of the Executive, a role she held for several years. Her advocacy and contributions to the rural cause have been invaluable, and we are deeply grateful for the significant impact she has made over the years.

As Cecilia steps down from her position, we are pleased to welcome Cllr Gwilym Butler, who has been co-opted onto the Board of Executives. We look forward to working with Cllr Butler and benefiting from his expertise as we continue advocating for fairer treatment of rural communities.

This week, I will be heading to London to attend the APPG for Rural Services, where the RSN serves as the Secretariat. I look forward to sharing any important updates from this meeting in next week’s bulletin.