16/03/2026
Exclusively brought to you by the Rural Services Network

Dear Marie

Local Authorities across the country are waiting for the Provisional Local Government Funding Settlement which is due out this week. The RSN stands poised to analyse the settlement from the perspective of rural councils and will send a draft response to the consultation to those local authorities in sparse membership.

The Department for Transport has published a new Connectivity Tool which we will feature in more detail in the new year. This Connectivity Tool, which combines transport and land-use data in an innovative way to generate a ‘connectivity score’ for every location across England and Wales at a resolution of 100 metre by 100 metre squares. They are opening up access to the tool online to everyone, free of charge, to help inform their plans, strategies and decisions.

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your support during 2025.

Throughout the year, RSN evidence informed parliamentary debates, APPG activity, government consultations, national media coverage and wider cross-sector forums, strengthening the rural voice across the policy landscape.

None of this impact would be possible without the continued support, expertise and commitment of our members and partners. Thank you for your engagement, your insights, and your determination to ensure that rural communities are heard and represented.

You can read more about our work in our feature article, Our Year in Review

Kerry Booth, Chief Executive, Rural Services Network

RSN: Our Year In Review

As 2025 comes to an end, we’re celebrating a year of collaboration, shared learning and a stronger rural voice.

Local Government Finance Settlement Due
Local Authorities across the country are waiting for the Provisional local Government Finance Settlement, due to be published this week. 
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Add your voice to our Delivering for All survey and help strengthen the rural case. Your responses will inform Government, MPs and Select Committees.
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Rural Funding Digest 

Read this month's Funding Digest, a member-exclusive resource provided by the Rural Services Network.
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This Week's Rural Related Politics
The Latest From Our Members
Book Your Place At The Next RSN Event HERE
Join us in Membership
Have you he3ard about the switch to digital landlines?
The Rural Services Network encompasses a wide range of partners and organisations who all work together to help provide a voice for rural communities. We represent over 500 organisations across the public, private and voluntary sectors including leading national bodies, local authorities, utility companies, health trusts, housing associations, grass root community organisations and more.

The Rural Services Network is a membership organisation and includes different types of membership depending on the kind of organisation you belong to.
 For further details click here


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