Dear Charles
I went to the Area Board this morning, thank you for inviting me.
I need the answers to 2 questions so that we can plan for our survival next year.
a) When exactly will the NEG level for 2008-9 be set?
b) I have heard that Sustainability Grants have been scrapped. Is this true, and what other options do we have to make up the NEG shortfall after April 08, assuming that the NEG rise will still not match our costs?
Having the answers to these questions will help us overt a crisis - I don't know if you've ever run a Charity or a small business before, but there is very little room for manouevre and what may seem trivial amounts of money to you spell survival or failure to us. Please bear in mind 70 Hanwell families per year rely on us to manage our Playgroup, currently 5 of those families in need. Ealing, please support us in whatever way you can.
Thanks
Liz at Hanwell Bunnies
For the purposes of your business planning NEG levels are likely to be plus inflation although the amount will be confirmed as soon as the 2008-9 budgets are finalised. Sustainability funding has been ended in favour of more targeted support given based on the sufficiency of childcare audit which is now almost complete. This information will inform funding priorities for 2008 to 09 and will be publicised in the new year.
Kind regards Charles
