We've got a new PB toolkit!

It's finally arrived!  After months of development and hard work, we have produced our second edition of hte toolkit.  The new toolkit is bigger, glossier, with lots of practical tools such as case studies, matrices to chart progress, and new tools from recent PB initiatives.

"I'm delighted that the new version of the toolkit reflects the variety and quality of PB initiatives over the past 18 months." Phil Teece, Programme Manager

The toolkit is set out into three sections:

• Section A: The PB Context
• Section B: PB processes
• Section C: Tools

Section A has refreshed and updated information about PB including new chapters looking at PB around the world and the different models of PB in the UK.  Section B is an entirely new section to the toolkit.  It looks at the generic PB process and provides good practice case studies for each stage with accompanying matrices to chart development.  There are now nine new case studies in this section.  Section C has lots of new tools and resources from twelve different initiatives, plus extra resources that the PB Unit has developed. 

The focus of the toolkit is primarily on the community grants pot model, although we have included case studies from different models such as mainstreaming in Tower Hamlets, partnership approaches in Norfolk and utilising Section 106 monies in East Devon.  The community grants pot model is the most common approach in the UK, and so we have the most resources and information about this model. 

We do appreciate that there is growing interest in other models and so we have included some case studies and resources which look at a more strategic approach and at providing budget literacy. 

The toolkit is primarily aimed at organiers, and potential PB organisers, although community and voluntary groups may also find it useful.  

The toolkit contains over 150 pages of updated, revised and new information from the first edition.  It has cost us to produce the toolkit and so we have to pass on this cost.  However, the cost of the toolkit still represents excellent value for money.  Practitioners found the first edition invaluable when planning their PB processes and the new edition is a significant improvement on the first.  

To check out a taster of the new toolkit click here

"Every time I scan the toolkit as an aide memoire or help other to use it, I think to write and tell you how valuable it is...so here's five cheers for the toolkit.  There are, strangely, relatively few resources to help newcomers into the process, and this is the best of them." Leslie Silverlock, Local Improvement Advisor and PB Associate

The printed toolkit costs £40 to public and private sector workers and £25 to individuals, students and community & voluntary groups.  The electronic version is £30 and £15 respectively.  To order a toolkit, click here