Dear Rev. Price
This week’s Bulletin comes at a pivotal moment for rural local government finance. Following the Government’s response to Fair Funding 2.0, we have written an open letter to the Minister on behalf of our members, setting out our concerns that remoteness has still not been applied consistently across all service areas.
Tomorrow’s budget announcement will be another crucial test of whether rural areas are finally seen and heard. As our Budget preview article sets out, from council funding to energy bills, transport, and housing, rural communities face distinct challenges that require targeted measures, not one-size-fits-all approaches.
Beyond fair funding and the Budget, we cover wider rural policy updates this week, including Rural Taskforce developments, the RTPI’s proposed rural amendments to the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, rural retrofit support, and the reopening of small grants for village halls. We also share the latest Casebook publication from the Rural Health and Care Alliance.
Last week we held our Rural Services Partnership Vulnerability Group meeting, where members heard from Young Somerset, Rabi and Health Equals. These discussions continue to shape our evidence and advocacy work on the lived realities of vulnerability in rural areas.
Tomorrow, we also host our final RSN Member Exclusive Seminar of the year, focusing on Rural Health and Care Services. Book your place here.
Our 2026 RSN Seminar Programme has now been finalised and will be announced in next week’s Bulletin.
Thank you for reading and for your continued support as we work to ensure rural communities have a strong voice and fair representation.
Kerry Booth, Chief Executive, Rural Services Network
