What is the NPF?

The NPF is a national committee which includes regional representatives.
A year ago it produced four policy documents (Europe, Welfare Reform, Crime and Justice, Health) which went out for a two year discussion period. "Europe" was in fact voted on at 1998 Annual Conference, while the others will go to 1999 Annual Conference.
The NPF will produce four more policy documents this year for a two year discussion leading up to 2000 Annual Conference.
The NPF meets twice a year to discuss its policy documents. It is unclear whether it votes on them before sending them out. It does not seem to produce minority reports.
Some regional parties, or "most favoured CLPs" are allowed to hold local policy forum meetings to discuss one or more of the documents. These are not regional policy forums, which do not exist.
You can organise your own policy forum in your own CLP and discuss the documents.
Formally, there is no route for local members to influence the NPF except for the election of regional representatives (who are voted for by regional groups of CLP delegates to Annual Conference). NPF members can raise matters on behalf of members in their regions.