Hampshire County Council

Asset Management Sub-Committee Item

9 July 2001

Financial Assistance to Voluntary Organisations and Other Bodies

Report of the Chief Executive

Contact: Louise Pickford, ext. 7355

1. Financial Position

1.1. Following the last meeting of the Community Development and Conservation Sub-Committee, the unallocated sum in the budget for awarding grants was £24,086.

1.2. A copy of the Sub-Committee's guidelines for the allocation of grants is attached as Appendix A.

1.3. The Schedule of Items attached as Appendix B gives details of the applications for consideration.

2. Three Score Club, Totton

2.1. At its last meeting in April, the Community Development and Conservation Sub-Committee awarded the Three Score Club in Totton a grant of £2,000 towards redecoration of the Club's building. At that meeting, it was also agreed to give further consideration after a site visit had been arranged.

2.2. Members of the Community Development and Conservation Sub-Committee visited The Three Score Club, Totton on 15 May. The Chairman and officials of the Club elaborated upon their activities. There are some 450 members drawn from the areas of New Forest district, Southampton city and Eastleigh borough which the Club were commended by Members of the Sub-Committee to approach for financial assistance. The Director of Social Services, who supported the organisation's application to the County Council, undertook to put the Club in contact with the New Forest Council of Community Service in relation to the preparation of a further lottery bid.

2.3. Members of the Sub-Committee inspected the Club's accommodation and saw for themselves the areas which the Club wished to improve. Refurbishment of the toilets was their highest priority. They also saw work done to improve facilities by way of self-help and commended the Club on their own achievements.

2.4. In a letter dated 9 April from the Club to the Chief Executive, they had costed its programme of works as follows:-

£

Toilets 8,500

Double Glazing (east side) 10,000

Decoration of main hall 1,500

2.5. A total grant of £10,000 is proposed given the particular needs of the organisation as seen by Members who visited.

3. The Hampshire Compact

3.1. In November 1999, the County Council began to develop a compact with the voluntary and community sector in Hampshire. Good progress has been made, with partnership working leading to an endorsement by Policy and Resources Committee in April 2001 of a compact document. However, in order to maintain this initiative funds will now be needed to:

3.2 The estimated annual cost is £5,000 and it is proposed that for the current year, this be met from the Economic Social and Environmental Well Being Fund. From the financial year 2002/3, it is proposed that this sum will be included as an annual grant.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

1. That the budget position be noted.

2. That grants be made to voluntary organisations and other bodies as
shown in Appendix B.

3. That in the special circumstances a further grant of £8,000 (making a total of £10,000) be awarded to the Three Score Club, Totton in 2001/02 towards redecoration of the Club's building.

4. That a one-off grant of £5,000 from 2001/02 from the Economic, Social and Environmental Well Being Fund be awarded towards the costs of Hampshire Compact.

5. That from 2002/03 an annual grant of £5,000 be awarded towards the costs of Hampshire Compact.

Section 100 D - Local Government Act 1972 - background papers

The following documents disclose facts or matters on which this report, or an important part of it, is based and has been relied upon to a material extent in the preparation of this report.

NB the list excludes:

1 Published works.

2 Documents which disclose exempt or confidential information as defined in the Act.

TITLE FILE

Letters from organisations which applied Chief Executive's Department

for financial assistance

5tR5401