Resources

In September 2005, the Forum was awarded £15,000 of SRB (Single Regeneration Budget) funding.

At the time of the funding allocation, it was stipulated by the funders that there were to be 3 budget headings:

1. infrastructure support to voluntary sector organisations,

2. purchasing of equipment for use by all Forum members,

3. support to the Forum to cover costs (stationary/postage etc)

The Forum Management Committee spent £10,000 on 5 years of annual memberships (25 per year) with CPAG (Child Poverty Action Group) along with 25 annual reference books and a full set of social security legislation each year; £2,500 purchasing 2 laptops, 2 media projectors, 2 projector screens, printer, carry cases and appropriate accessories etc and lastly, £2,500 on sufficient stationary (paper, printer ink, files, envelopes etc) to run the Forum for an estimated 5 years; along with postage to last an approx 2 years.

The IT resources that the Forum now owns can be used by any Forum member.  The equipment is homed with 2 committee members in seperate organisations for ease of access.  Items must be signed for.

The CPAG memberships are applied for on an annual basis.  It was agreed at the January 07 Forum meeting, to reduce the annual memberships from 25 to 20 as it was noted that some organisations have since stopped their Welfare Benefit work due to lack of funding etc.

In January each year, all members are invited to apply for a CPAG membership which includes a bi-monthly bulletin, Poverty magazine every 6 months, Disability Rights Handbook and CPAG Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook.  The closing date for applications is the end of February each year, after which point the Secretary informs committee members of the number of applications and allocations are approved.  A list of allocations is then submitted to the next available Forum meeting.