It is a usable facility.
Those of us that contribute, financially, have instant access to add, edit &c. said area.
Due to many past instances of section abuse, it is moderated for those that do not show any financial commitment.
I suggest you PM the moderators / list owners if you have a problem with that. I am sure you will get a reasoned answer, when they have time outside of very busy lives to answer your query.
From my own perspective I think the section should be closed off if it causes them too much work/ grief.
Graham, I know nothing of "contributing financially" (I have never seen an area - on this site- nor have I been asked).
However I cannot see that doing so (i.e. contributing) should have any bearing on a Section of the Forum? So I pay or contribute and that makes me a better person...do the moderators get paid therefore?
Please note, I am not being argumentative or doubting anyone's hard work.
However my suggestion would be - make it an "automated" feature and if it starts to get a bit a tasty and abusive, between contributors....close that thread down.
This is a very simple fix....?