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National Community Forum

Volume 486: debated on Thursday 15 January 2009

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the National Community Forum's main priorities are for 2008-09; how many staff the Forum employs; and what the annual running cost of the Forum will be in (a) 2008-09 and (b) each of the two following years; and if she will make a statement. (245524)

The National Community Forum's (NCF) current work programme focuses on two main areas; ‘Anchoring Resources in the Community’, which looks at approaches to social enterprise within local communities, and ‘Community Wellness’, which is developing an understanding of healthy, sustainable communities.

The NCF is made up of members who live or work in deprived communities across England. Their direct experience ensures that there is a broad range of knowledge and understanding of how policy works on the ground. From January 2009, there are 16 members, including the chair. NCF have recently appointed an interim advisor until April 2009, to help to ensure the Forum provides timely and credible advice to Government Departments by supporting members in their discussions.

The annual budget for NCF in 2008-09 is £130,000.