rural services network - cdaherts.org.uk

RuRalSeRviceSNetwoRk

RuRal SeRviceS NetwoRk

what does RSN do?

• Makescriticalrepresentationson issuesaffectingruralservices.

• Promotesactivenetworking acrossallsectors.

• Establishesandbroadcastsrural bestpractice.

• Promotesdebateandinteraction betweenagencies/sectorsacross manyareasofjointinterestfor exampleruralcrime,ruralhousing, broadbandprovisionandrural health.

• Undertakesindependentrural research.

• SPARSE Rural–anetworkof125 principallocalauthoritieswitha commonfinancialcase;subgroups representRuralUnitaryCouncilsand RuralFireandRescueServices.

• The Rural Assembly–awidernetwork of150principallocalauthorities, includingourSPARSERuralmembers, coveringallruralserviceissues.

• The Rural Services Partnership–a companylimitedbyguaranteemade upofnon-localauthorityservice providerswhoworkwiththeRural Assembly.

• Rural England–acommunityinterest companyseekingtoundertakerural researchcomprisingastakeholder groupofthoseformerlyinvolvedwith theCommissionforRuralCommunities andrepresentativesof25national organisationsinterestedinrural research.

• Community Group–comprisingover 10,000grassrootsbodiesandtheir representativesincludingParishand TownCouncils.

12.5 million people live in the rural areas of england within 270 local authority areas.

RSN seeks to bring these people, their representative councils and other service providers from across the sectors together into one network to provide a strong voice for rural communities.

who is involved?

• RSNfacilitatestheAllParty ParliamentaryGrouponRuralServices involvingover60Parliamentarians.

• Over25,000peopleinserviceand consumergroupsreceiveweeklyemail newslettersfromRSNonruralnews, commentandthemedbulletins.

• Soundingboardsoperatetocanvass viewsfromprincipalandlocalcouncils witharuralbusinesssoundingboard indevelopment.

• “CallsforEvidence”andother researchcommissionedseekto ensurethatknowledge,experience, bestpracticeandcollectiverural viewpointsarealwayscurrentand availabletoothers.

• Aseriesofspecificgroupingsand alliancesaresupportedincluding aRuralCrimeNetwork,RuralHealth NetworkandRuralHousingAlliance.

• RSNrepresentstheruralcaseina widerangeofnationalforums,via directinterfacewithgovernmentand regularresponsestopolicyconsultation.

• CloseworkingtakesplacewithAction forCommunitiesinRuralEngland (ACRE)andtheNationalAssociation ofLocalCouncils(NALC).

• RSNisacorememberoftheRural Coalitionwhichbringstogethera numberoforganisationsatnational levelwithaninterestinruralaffairs.

• RSNconvenesaUKPolicyand PractitionersGrouptoensureeach ofthehomenationslearnsfrom experienceandpractiseinrural areasacrosstheUK.

• Comprehensiveinformationis providedviatheRSNwebsite includingstatisticalprofilesforeach memberlocalauthorityandan evidencebaseforNeighbourhood PlanningforRSNmembers.

How does RSN operate?

IfyouwouldlikefurtherinformationabouttheRuralServicesNetworkortojoinpleasecontactus:

Rural Services Network kilworthy Park,tavistock, DevonPl19 0BZ01822 851370www.rsnonline.org.ukinfo@rsnonline.org.uk twitter: @rsnonline

RuRalSeRviceSNetwoRk

Oursuccessdependsonthesupportoflocalauthoritiesandserviceusers.Currently,twothirdsofrepresentativecouncilsandruralareasarepartofournetwork.OuraimistoinvolveallcornersofruralEngland.

TheneedsandproblemsofruralareasinEnglandareverydifferenttotheremainderofEnglandandrequirespecialattentionwhichcannotbeeffectivelyachievedbythe‘mainstreaming’ofservices.

BysupportingRSNyoucanhelptohighlightruralneedsandsolutionsandsecureafairershareforyourcommunities.

You can make a difference

www.rsnonline.org.uk