SPARSE Rural exists to argue the rural funding case to Government and to network and share rural best practice.

It relies almost entirely on membership subscriptions from the Sparse Rural Special Interest Group and from its sister organisation involving non Local Government organisations, the Rural Services Partnership.

In return for membership, SPARSE Rural members receive the services outlined on our necessities leaflet here.

But it is a subscription organisation with a difference in that it attempts (largely as a result of voluntary input) assistance to its members across the realm of performance, finance, economic development and access advice and comparison. This work we very much hope members find to be helpful. Our intention is to ‘give back’ to members work to the value of their subscription. There are 113 Local Authorities classified by Government as Predominately Rural . There is obviously much to be gained by them working together but persuading all of them to pay subscription presents a challenge. By ‘giving back’ service is the way we hope we can meet that challenge even in these very very difficult times.

We now have decided to go one step in trying to assist authorities who assist us. THIS OFFER WILL BE IN ADDITION TO OUR FREE SERVICES.

We appreciate that many authorities will have to trim staff to maintain budgets in areas where they would have preferred not to. Inevitably this can lead to difficulties when remaining staff go sick leaving the authority exposed. We wish to help our members as much as we possibly can through what over the next few years is going to be particularly difficult times.

As a member of SPARSE Rural we are prepared to give to your authority, on top of the information and comparison service detailed on other pages of this website the following:-

• Advice on Finance, Performance, or Economic Development Issues up to a maximum of 15 hours (two working days) per member authority per subscription year at a nominal rate of £20 per hour.

• Subsidised advice on these issues at an hourly rate of only £40 per hour in these areas for a further 25 hours per member authority per subscription year.

There will no “agency fee” applying so it will be appreciated this is a very supportive offer for members. Obviously the offer is subject to available staff resource but we will do all we can to assist every request.

We do this for one simple reason. We do not wish any member authority to have to say we support all that the organisation stands for but we cannot afford membership at a time when we are having to cut back services which directly impact on the public. Here is our way of ensuring that you will always receive return value for your subscription and that you have in place back up insurance to maintain three key services when during periods of emergency.

If longer term arrangements are required because of unplanned staff shortages we are prepared to agree short term contracts of up to three months cover at a reduced commercial cost. We will provide contractual cover at the going professional rate but at only half the additional agency charge which you would be obliged to pay for agency cover.

In all instances we will guarantee the contractual service provided. Service will normally be provided remotely but we make visits to your offices as you require for reimbursement of expenses incurred.

It is our very firm belief that authorities in rural areas are disadvantaged by the current grant system. We will do all in our power to seek to improve that system but we do feel equally strongly that if authorities who are predominately rural in character can work together, share information together, pool resource to greatest effect that we can continue to provide slick, informed and local government to meet the demands of local people who will often be living in rural areas. Continuity of service is vital and we very much hope this element of our membership offer can assist to that end.