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!
observatory local services
What makes our rural communities sustainable and vibrant? At the heart of our communities are elements such as access to services, healthcare, education, shops and community facilities. This section includes analysis in these areas.
31.03.2020
Local planning authority performance is an important area to manage and monitor, with significant consequences where an authority is deemed to be underperfoming against set criteria ( https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/improving-planning-performance-criteria-for-designation ). To help understand your authority's position, the following analysis presents data...
02.01.2019
The attached spreadsheet presents information on electricity and gas consumption at the local authority level for the period spanning 2005 to 2017. The data comes from the Department of Energy & Climate Change. Of particular interest is the...
31.05.2018
The following analysis demonstrates the future challenges facing local authorities in supporting communities, with predicted ageing populations for all authority types. The predicted proportion of population who are 65 and over, and the rate of increase, is greatest within the...
04.08.2016
Broadband speed - or indeed the lack of it - remains a big challenge for rural business and communities. Many areas are languishing on connections far slower than those available in larger towns and cities - posing economic as well...
15.10.2015
A brief look at the location of UK regular forces personnel and their importance to rural communities - for the analysis click here...
28.08.2014
Rural local authority areas have lower population densities, but many services need to be provided despite an area potentially having fewer people living there. This is reflected when looking at winter maintenance fleet data published by the Municipal Year Book...
01.05.2014
Local authority managed leisure facilities such as swimming pools are increasingly under pressure to make efficiency savings or even survival. With this view, the following is a brief look at the situation for swimming pool provision in rural local authorities....
12.12.2012
Household budgets are increasingly stretched in meeting basic living costs. Using key measures, the financial pressures experienced by the average household can provide a picture of the relative cost of rural life. - Relative Cost of living Analysis (using...
NEWSLETTER
Sign up to receive all our latest news and updates.
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.
SIGN UP TO OUR NEWSLETTER
Sign up to our newsletter to receive all the latest news and updates.
Part of and working with:
