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Aiming High for Disabled Children |
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A Big Thank You
West Sussex Parents Forum would like to thank everybody that joined their campaign to get West Sussex County Council to revise its decision to freeze the ring fenced grant funding for Aiming High for Disabled Children.
We were told today that Pete Bradbury has published a press release to state the councils decision on this matter. West Sussex Parents Forum believe that our campaign and more importantly your imput into it was what lead to the press release.
So thank you to every one who sent Mr Bradbury a letter we believe he recieved a substantial amount of them, for highlighting our campaign on your facebook pages and for passing this information on to friends and family.
It proves that as one we can "MAKE OUR VOICE HEARD" and make a difference.
We have one more request to ask of you all
We need to send letters too David Cameron and Nick Clegg asking them to allow West Sussex County Council to keep the £900.000 Capital Funding they have and not to take it back unless there are any unspent funding at the end of the WHOLE Aiming High Programme.
As with out this funding it will be difficult for the new projects to set up, and all our hard work could be for nothing. We urge you to join this second phase of our campaign, together we can make a difference and you all have proved that.
Contact West Sussex Parents Forum for a letter to send to Mr Cameron and Mr Clegg along with a self addressed envelope. Put on your facebook and tell anyone you know. Central Government are announcing a decision some time next week |
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PRESS RELEASE - AIMING HIGH |
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PR 3874 15/07/2010 ‘AIMING HIGH’ GRANTS – CABINET MEMBER’S REASSURANCE [For Immediate Release]
West Sussex County Council Cabinet Member Pete Bradbury has made it clear that the ‘Aiming High for Disabled Children’ grant fund is to continue during the remainder of the financial year.
The fund pays for short breaks for families with disabled children in West Sussex.
Pete, who is Cabinet Member for Children and Families, said the Government has reduced many grants to local authorities in the current financial year, including West Sussex, as part of its drive to cut the national deficit.
The Government has also relaxed the ring-fencing that surrounds other grants to give local authorities more flexibility over spending decisions.
He said: “I am aware there has been some concern over whether this grant is affected.
“That is why I want to reassure parents who are receiving support that the ‘Aiming High’ grant fund is not being reduced, and the project will continue through to the end of March 2011 as planned.
“But, I must make it very clear that we cannot guarantee funding beyond this financial year.
“The future for ‘Aiming High’ will very much depend on the Government’s autumn spending statement, when it will set out future levels of support for local government and grant funded projects like this.
“I am very aware of the excellent support that ‘Aiming High’ has given many parents of disabled children in West Sussex since the main programme started in April 2009.
“I am glad to make it clear that the existing grant fund for schemes such as short breaks, and some capital projects, such as adapting buildings for disabled children, will not be reduced between now and the end of next March.” |
 For parents and carers of children and young people aged 0-25 with learning difficulties and disabilities The Parents Forum is a friendly group of parents who meet to discuss real issues that affect children and young people with learning difficulties and disabilities in West Sussex. As parents or carers, it is easy to feel your worries and concerns are not being taken seriously. The Parents Forum was set up to make sure your views and concerns are heard by those who plan and manage the services you and your child or young person relies on. The Parents Forum is supported by West Sussex Children’s Trust. |
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Aiming High For Disabled Children |
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URGENT ACTION NEEDED
West Sussex County Council are proposing to use the remaining ring fenced Aiming High for Disabled Children funding that was given to them by Central Government to reduce their defeceit. This roughly amounts to £ 330,000 plus substantial capital funding
West Sussex Parents Forum are questioning the legality of this decision because in our understanding of things ring fenced means it can not be used for any thing else, and any money left at the end of the programme( March 2011) will have to go back to Central Government,we are also questioning the moral obligations to our children and families
We are urging as many people as possible to join our campaign whether you are a parent/carer of a disabled child or an organisation supporting parents/carers in West Sussex to write to Pete Bradbury who is the cabinet member for Children and Families at West Sussex County Council, County Hall, West Street, Chichester, PO19 1RQ.
West Sussex Parents Forum believes that with your support we can revert this decision and Make Our Voice Heard. For a copy of a letter for you to send please contact us you will find our details on this website.
If you are an organisation or you know of an organisation who has applied to West Sussex County Council for the latest round of Aiming High Funding then we also urge you to join our campaign and write to Pete Bradbury as our Children and Young People could benefit from the service you could provide with this funding.
If you require further details or help please contact us at
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
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