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
OPEN FOR BUSINESS
We are still 'open for business' at the RSN with all of our staff working remotely to stay safe. We will still be delivering our services to our customers, although we're having a little think about how to best enable our usual face to face meetings and seminars.
We are looking forward to chatting with you online! If you have a query please email admin@sparse.gov.uk and we will get back to you.
Stay safe!
Finance
Our work on Local Government Finance is split into two areas, the Fairer Funding campaign and a financial analysis of local authority budgets.
Fairer Funding
- SPARSE Rural as an organisation defends the rural interest and the Sparsity Allowance in the Local Government funding formulae.
- We consider the formula funding to be woefully inadequate. It goes nowhere near to meeting the higher costs of operating essential services in rural areas.
Did you know that:
- Spending Power per head is £99 less in rural areas than in urban areas … yet …
- Council Tax is £79 higher per head in rural areas than in urban areas … this is because …
- Formula Grant is £178 lower per head in rural areas than urban areas.
Put simply, rural communities are paying more for less provision in their local areas.
Rural Fair Share Group
The Rural Fair Share Group is a grouping of parliamentarians who have come together to argue for fairer funding for services across rural England. The Secretary of the Group is Graham Stuart MP.
Click here to view a presentation on Spending Power Analysis from March 2013 comparing Rural and Urban areas.
Click here to see the Governments Pledge on Rural Services
Local Government Finance Settlement
Below is an analysis provided to local authorities and rural MPs in January 2014 which illustrates the current rural to urban divide in the financial settlement 2014:
- Local Government Finance Settlement Analysis
Future areas of work:
- Early Review of Localisation of Business Rates
Financial Analysis
We provide a range of analysis for local authorities, considering their individual RA position (revenue estimate) and RO position (Revenue Outturn) compared with other authorities and groups of authorities:
30.03.2020
At the Rural Services Network we recently sent to all of our local authority SPARSE-Rural members (for whom we carry out work and representations on the Local Government Funding Formula) a report from our Finance Consultants - Pixel setting out...
23.03.2020
MHCLG is concerned about the overall financial and cashflow impact on local authorities. They have asked for information about the effects on authorities, and, in a letter from the Secretary of State to local authority chief executives, have asked...
24.02.2020
The Rural Services Network has long campaigned for fair funding for rural areas. Along with our member local authorities, we aim to influence government policy to fully recognise and address the issues faced by rural communities across England including full...
07.01.2020
A monthly bulletin facilitated by your membership of the Rural Services Network highlighting a selection of current funding opportunities → Download a printable version of the Funding Digest here Transforming Places through Heritage Grants – Architectural...
03.12.2019
A monthly bulletin facilitated by your membership of the Rural Services Network highlighting a selection of current funding opportunities → Download a printable version of the Funding Digest here Climate Action Fund – National Lottery Community...
05.11.2019
A monthly bulletin facilitated by your membership of the Rural Services Network highlighting a selection of current funding opportunities → Download a printable version of the Funding Digest here Pocket Parks – Ministry of Housing, Communities...
01.10.2019
A monthly bulletin facilitated by your membership of the Rural Services Network highlighting a selection of current funding opportunities → Download a printable version of the Funding Digest here 5G Rural Connected Communities Project – Dept...
12.08.2019
Whilst media headlines have naturally focussed on the new prime minister’s plans for Brexit, the formation of a new government also has implications for local government funding It has now been confirmed that there will be a one-year spending...
07.08.2019
A monthly bulletin facilitated by your membership of the Rural Services Network highlighting a selection of current funding opportunities → Download a printable version of the Funding Digest here Rural Community Energy Fund – Department for...
02.07.2019
A monthly bulletin facilitated by your membership of the Rural Services Network highlighting a selection of current funding opportunities → Download a printable version of the Funding Digest here Resource Action Fund The Resource Action...
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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.
Health and Wellbeing
The RSN wants to ensure rural communities have the same access to health care as is currently received in urban areas.
Vulnerability
Tackling a collection of circumstances which leaves many rural residents vulnerable is a key issue for the RSN.
Housing
The affordability of rural housing to people from a range of ages and backgrounds is key concern for RSN.
Economy
The RSN works to encourage a thriving rural economy in order to help support our rural communities.
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