| Description | Grant file containing correspondence, minutes, agendas, grant overviews, leaflets, reports, newsletters, project proposals and funding requests relating to the West Midlands Planning Aid Service (WMPAS). Funding source(s): Barrow Cadbury Trust, Barrow Cadbury Fund Ltd., Community Organising Programme. Applicant overview: In the mid 1970s the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) published a discussion paper considering the need for planning aid nationally, current practice and the issues which it posed for the Institute. In 1989 the RTPI proposed the creation of local planning aid services provided by Institute members in each RTPI branch area including the West Midlands. Planning aid is the provision of free and independent advice on town planning to groups or individuals who need it and cannot obtain or afford it without an aid service. WMPAS was established in 1989 with the aim of providing, 1) information about town planning and its role in the local government system, 2) advice on how to use the planning system and understand the appropriate laws and procedures, 3) guidance on development proposals and site specific problems, 4) help with the presentation of planning proposals or a particular case, 5) contact with people and organisations who could help, and 6) explanatory literature about planning and how to exert greater influence over local development. Nature of support: In 1994 the Trust agreed to an unconditional grant of £10,000 for 1995/1996 with a further £10,000 available if the initial grant did not unlock matching funding. In 1996 the Trust approved from three to five annual grants of £30,000 on a rolling basis. In 2000 the Trust began to wind up its support for WMPAS as £20,000 for 2001/2002, £10,000 for 2002/2003 and £5,000 for 2001/2002 from the Fund for fund raising advice. Minutes: BCT 14, BCT 205, BCT 206, BCT 538, BCT 630, BCT 898, BCT 942, BCF 3657, COP 12/96, COP 9/98, COP 1/00. Notes: File organised from newest to oldest. File numbered 'EA/7/9(2)'. |