Benefits of membership & How to join
Member communities are able to:
- Benefit from up to 15 hours of FREE expert technical assistance and/or training - ranging from carrying out simple feasibility studies to funding advice, to preparing community plans or policy development and signposting to further professional advice
- Apply for funding from the Forum's Development Fund - quick response, small grants for community projects
- Networking opportunities at meetings across the county, hearing from experts on leading issues and sharing positive ideas with positive outcomes. The Forum welcomes representatives from any rural community to its meetings
- Take part in 'Look and Learn' visits to other rural towns in Gloucestershire and elsewhere, to learn more from their successful approaches to community projects
- Keep informed through regular e-mail bulletins
Other benefits include:
- Subsidised membership of the national Action for Market Towns organisation
- Contributing towards a stronger voice for rural communities informing government policy makers
- Up-to-date, impartial information and advice about funding and resources
- Strengthening existing partnerships and drawing up action plans for the future
- Expert advice and support for specific project development and fundraising proposals
- This web site for sharing knowledge, opportunities and useful links
Forum members benefit not only from the knowledge and expertise of others across the county, but from the professional support of Claire Edwards Gloucestershire First's Senior Manager - Partnership Development and Crystal Johnson, its Accounting Technician who is the Forum's Secretary and Finance Officer. They bring a wealth of experience to bear on their work with Forum towns.
Who can join - and how to join
You don't have to be a town, or to have a market, to benefit from being a member of the Gloucestershire Market Towns Forum. Communities - not individuals - are members of the Forum, so if you live, work or have an interest in a particular small or market town, find out if your community is already a member by checking our list of Member communities. If not, contact your town or parish council and ask why! Contact any member of the Forum Board to discuss membership and for an application form.
Current members are drawn from communities which primarily act as rural service centres and who find the Forum's activities can be as relevant to larger parishes as well as Gloucestershire's market towns. The Forum also involves a range of other interested and active organisations in addition to town and parish councils. District Authority and Agency representatives are also more than welcome to get involved and by doing so, can greatly improve joint working and broaden debate.
Full Membership
Criteria: Open to all town and parish councils & community organisations (as long as they are non-political, non-sectarian)
Benefits:
- Full access to funds provided through GMTF - whether it be the Development Fund, Training or Technical Assistance
- An opportunity to nominate/put forward a representative to sit on the Board of Directors
- Voting rights at the Annual General Meeting
- Subsidised places on 'Look & Learn' visits to other areas, locally, regionally or nationally
- An opportunity to be part of a group membership to Action for Market Towns
- Regular e-bulletins on hot topics and funding news
- Involvement in quarterly networking opportunities
- Sharing best practice
- Opportunity to update information on the website
- An opportunity to host quarterly networking meetings and to showcase the locality
Fees:
Fee structure is based on a price per head of population, relating to the electoral role.
| Up to 2,000 population | £236.90 |
| 2001 to 6,000 population | £473.80 |
| 6001 to 12,000 population | £710.90 |
| 12,000+ population | £947.60 |
Payable annually on the 1st April. Members joining mid-year will be invoiced on a pro rata basis.
How to apply:
Download and complete the application form and return
to GMTF at the following address: GMTF, c/o
Gloucestershire First, Llanthony Warehouse, The
Docks, Gloucester, Gloucestershire GL1 2EH
Associate Membership
Criteria:
Open to not-for-profit organisations such as Civic
Societies, Chambers of Commerce and Community
Partnerships etc.
Individuals with an interest in market towns
Benefits:
- Restricted access to funds provided through GMTF - whether it be the Development Fund, Training or Technical Assistance. Applications from Associate Members for these benefits have to be approved by, and passed through, the Associate's Member Town or Parish Council
- Subsidised places on 'Look & Learn' visits to other areas, locally, regionally or nationally
- Regular e-bulletins on hot topics and funding news
- Involvement in quarterly networking opportunities
- Sharing best practice
- Opportunity to update information on the website
- An opportunity to host quarterly networking meetings and to showcase the locality
Fees:
£100 payable annually on the 1st April. Members joining mid-year will be invoiced on a pro rata basis.
How to apply:
Download and complete the application form and return
to GMTF at the following address: GMTF, c/o
Gloucestershire First, Llanthony Warehouse, The
Docks, Gloucester, Gloucestershire GL1 2EH