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The Rural Services Network (RSN) is thrilled to announce the National Rural Conference 2024, taking place from 16th to 19th September. This virtual event, accessible via Zoom, is the premier gathering for senior officers, members, policymakers, and rural service professionals.
Further information and booking details can be found here
The Rural Services Network (RSN) is pleased that the Final Settlement for Local Government, announced last week in Parliament with a written statement from the Minister, includes the additional £4 Million pounds for the Rural Services Delivery Grant set out...
The Government announced the Provisional Local Government Finance Settlement on 17th December 2020 This sets out the funding that Local Authorities will receive for the period 2021-2022. The Rural Services Network is concerned that once again,...
Last week’s Provisional Settlement for 2021/22 for local government once again means rural residents paying more in Council Tax (per head) than their urban counterparts . The Government’s policies show rural residents in comparison to urban getting less government...
RSN reaction to Provisional Local Government Financial Settlement The Rural Services Network welcomes the news of an increase in Rural Services Delivery Grant in the Provisional Local Government Finance Settlement for 2021-2022 announced today. The RSN represents over...
Last week the Government announced a one-year Spending Review for 2020, the long- term spending review being abandoned in favour of a short term approach to prioritise the response to Covid-19 and a focus on supporting jobs. There are some...
The Government has announced a one-year Spending Review for 2020, the long- term spending review being abandoned in favour of a short term approach to prioritise the response to Covid-19 and a focus on supporting jobs. The Rural Services...
The hotly anticipated Comprehensive Spending Review was announced today, and given the unprecedented times in which we live, it was always going to be critical to see how the Government would support the shrinking economy and ensure the sustained delivery...
The BBC report that a recent survey undertaken by the County Councils Network (CCN) shows several local authorities could be forced into ‘damaging’ cuts to services next year to remain solvent. Only one in five of England's county councils and...
Last week, whilst announcing an addition £1.6 bn of funding for local authorities (now £3.2bn in total), the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government confirmed that the move to 75% business rates retention and the fair funding review will...
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...
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Amid reduced public spending, fair resource allocation across regions is crucial. Despite a population larger than Greater London, rural areas receive significantly less funding for essential services, even though delivering these services in rural areas is more expensive.
Economic growth is widely acknowledged as essential for national wealth and prosperity and is a priority for political parties. Rural economies, employing millions and home to a higher proportion of small businesses, have potential for growth if barriers are removed.
Rural residents face distinct healthcare challenges, including limited access to transport, longer distances to medical facilities, an aging demographic, housing inadequacies, digital connectivity gaps, and difficulties recruiting health and care workers.
Rural communities are grappling with a severe affordable housing crisis, marked by high house prices, a lack of affordable housing, elevated living costs, and lower incomes, threatening their sustainability and vitality.
Transport is vital for the quality of life and economic health of rural areas, yet it faces challenges such as infrequent public bus services and less Government funding compared to urban regions.
Rural areas, encompassing a substantial portion of England's population and land, play a pivotal role in combating climate change and achieving the net zero target.
In an increasingly digital world, the lack of robust digital infrastructure in rural areas severely limits access to crucial services and stifles economic growth.
A future-focused vision for rural communities involves not just building the right homes in the right places but also ensuring thriving, sustainable communities.
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