Archived decisions

    Hampshire County Council

    Executive Member - Recreation and Heritage

    Item 7

    30 May 2002

    Community Support Grants 2002/03

    Report of the Director of Recreation and Heritage

    Contact: Margaret Plumridge, ext 6173

    1. Summary

    1.1 The County Council works in partnership with specific community organisations particularly community associations and village hall committees who seek to enable local people to meet the recreational, educational, social, cultural and environmental needs of their local communities. These organisations give local people an opportunity to participate in local activities and encourage local initiatives by people of all ages.

    1.2 The Council has wide powers under Section 19 Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 to provide recreational facilities, and to contribute by way of grant or loan towards expenses incurred by voluntary bodies in providing such facilities.

    2. Purpose of Report

    2.1 The purpose of this report is:

        i) to provide details of the current financial position of the community support budget ( Appendix 1)

        ii) to provide details of requests for financial support from the Community Grants fund from voluntary Village Halls and Community Associations

    3. Financial Report 2002/03

    3.1 On 4 April 2002 the Executive Member - Recreation and Heritage agreed an allocation for the Community Support Budget for 2002/03. This included a sum of £85,300 for the Community Grants Fund. Details are set out in Appendix 1.

    3.2 The proposals in this report amount to £10,600 and if agreed would leave a balance of £74,700 in the fund for the remainder of the financial year.

    4. Applications for Consideration

    4.1 The grant distribution criteria is set out in Appendix 2.

    4.2 Appendix 3 lists those projects which meet fully the criteria. Each project has been allocated a proposed level of funding according to the criteria.

    4.3 The project outlined in Appendix 4 does not fully meet the criteria. However, this project has been brought forward for consideration on an individual basis.

    5. Recommendations

        i) That grants totalling £10,600 be approved for allocation from the Community Grants Fund.

    Section 100 D - Local Government Act 1972 - Background Documents

        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:

        Published works

        Documents, which disclose exempt or confidential information as, defined in the act.

        Title Location

        Applications for financial assistance Community Support Unit

                      Recreation and Heritage

                      Mottisfont Court

                      Winchester

Community Support Budget 2002/03 Appendix 1

     

    Total

    Community Grants Fund

    Annual Revenue Support

    Seconded Staff

    Neighbourhood Initiatives

     

    £

    £

    £

    £

    £

    Original Budget Allocation

    408,500

    85,300

    150,000

    110,200

    63,000

    Allocations to date:

    4 April 2002

    -265,200

    -

    -118,000

    -110,200

    -37,000

    Balance available prior to this meeting

    143,300

    85,300

    32,000

    Nil

    26,000

    Proposed allocations

    10,600

    10,600

    		      

    Appendix 2

    The application criteria for the Community Grants Fund is as follows:

        Grants are given for:

        · Building repairs, extensions and refurbishments

        · Health and Safety issues

        · Equipment to improve the buildings and increase usage

        · Feasibility Studies

        Who can apply:

        · Village Halls (not parish run halls)

        · Community Associations

        · Other similar community groups

        · Church Organisations that have a separate community programme on their property

        Funding criteria:

        · For projects costing less than £15,000, the funding criteria is up to ⅓ of the cost.

        · For projects costing more than £15,000, the grant is calculated at 50% of the combined district and parish contribution up to a maximum of 25% of the project costs or £12,500, whichever is the lesser.

    Applications fully meeting the criteria Appendix 3

    Hall/Centre

    District

    £

    Emery Down & Bank Village Hall

    New Forest

    2,386

    Hatch Warren Community Association

    Basingstoke & Deane

    894

    Kimpton Village Hall

    Test Valley

    273

    Lee on Solent Community Association

    Gosport

    2,108

    Longstock Village Hall

    Test Valley

    1,852

    Warnford Village Hall

    Winchester

    1,312

    Wickham Community Association

    Winchester

    1,148

     

    Total

    £9,973

    Name:

    Emery Down & Bank Village Hall

    Project:

    Carry out various renovations and improvements that will enhance the facilities at the hall and essential health and safety measures of panic bars to emergency exits and concrete ramps for wheelchair access.

    Criteria:

    Building repairs, extensions and refurbishments. Health and Safety issues.

    Cost:

    £7,158

    General Reserves:

    £2,720

    Project Reserves:

    Nil

    Statement:

    The hall is now being used by a variety of local groups. The work now being proposed to kitchen, cloakroom and other areas will make it more attractive for future weekday and weekend functions and improve its accessibility.

    Funding:

    New Forest District Council - £500 applied for

    Lyndhurst Parish Council - £500 applied for

    Other - £1,772

    Recommendation:

    £2,386 (one-third)

    Name:

    Hatch Warren Community Association

    Project:

    Install blinds to lounge and conservatory to enable use of projection equipment and provide shade and insulation to improve comfort.

    Criteria:

    Equipment to improve the buildings and increase usage.

    Cost:

    £2,681

    General Reserves:

    £10,500

    Project Reserves:

    £10,000 for soundproofing and extension (lottery project).

    Statement:

    The addition of blinds to these areas will greatly improve the comfort levels within the building and allow for projection equipment to be used effectively to increase available activities.

    Funding:

    District - advised to apply

    Parish - advised to apply

    Recommendation:

    £894 (one-third)

    Name:

    Kimpton Village Hall

    Project:

    Exterior redecoration of hall

    Criteria:

    Building repairs, extensions and refurbishments

    Cost:

    £820

    General Reserves:

    £3,065

    Project Reserves:

    Nil

    Statement:

    These works are required as the exterior paint is starting to peel off and the cladding is fading.

    Funding:

    Test Valley Borough Council - £176 applied for

    Kimpton Parish Council - £102 agreed

    Recommendation:

    £273 (one-third)

    Name:

    Lee on Solent Community Association

    Project:

    Renew existing flooring in main entrance lobby, main hall, activity room and kitchen

    Criteria:

    Building repairs, extensions and refurbishments.

    Cost:

    £6,325

    General Reserves:

    £32,394

    Project Reserves:

    £29,871

    Statement:

    The association caters for several groups who expect a safe floor for activities.

    Funding:

    The Association is planning to approach the Borough Council for a grant towards a major project to provide a new activities hall.

    Recommendation:

    £2,108 (one-third)

    Name:

    Longstock Village Hall

    Project:

    Upgrade decoration, re-seal sports floor, fit kitchen worktop, fit glow switches to aid partially sighted users.

    Criteria:

    Building repairs, extensions and refurbishment.

    Health and Safety issues.

    Equipment to improve the buildings and increase usage.

    Cost:

    £5,555

    General Reserves:

    £4,000

    Project Reserves:

    Nil

    Statement:

    This is the only facility in the village for community activities and meetings and is well used. This high usage necessitates regular redecoration and maintenance.

    Funding:

    Test Valley Borough Council - £1,194 applied for

    Longstock Parish Council - £694 applied for

    Recommendation:

    £1,852 (one-third)

    Name:

    Warnford Village Hall

    Project:

    Extension of car park

    Criteria:

    Building repairs, extensions and refurbishment

    Cost:

    £3,937

    General Reserves:

    £3,824

    Project Reserves:

    Nil

    Statement:

    Increased usage has meant current car park facilities are insufficient resulting in cars parking in the road and causing obstruction to large agricultural vehicles. Exterior re-decoration required as part of 5 year cycle.

    Funding:

    Winchester City Council - application not submitted as committee advised it was unlikely to be successful having been refused on an earlier application.

    Warnford Parish Council - £800 applied for

    Recommendation:

    £1,312 (one-third)

    Name:

    Wickham Community Association

    Project:

    Update and refurbish toilets. Provide stainless steel surfaces in main kitchen.

    Criteria:

    Building repairs, extensions and refurbishment

    Cost:

    £3,444

    General Reserves:

    £20,000

    Project Reserves:

    Nil

    Statement:

    After 15 years use the toilets are worn out and in need of refurbishment. The kitchen was originally designed for occasional use, but is now used regularly for food preparation and serving as well as for training people with learning difficulties. New equipment has been recommended by Environmental Health.

    Funding:

    Advised to apply to both councils but unlikely to receive funding for this project.

    Recommendation:

    £1,148 (one third)

    Note: This Community Association received a grant of £23,750 in the last financial year to assist with acoustic insulation.

    Application which does not fully meet with the criteria Appendix 4

    Hall/Centre

    District

    £

    Plaitford Village Hall

    Test Valley

    627

    Name:

    Plaitford Village Hall

    Project:

    Repaint all exterior woodwork, windows and doors

    Criteria:

    Building repairs, extensions and refurbishments

    Cost:

    £1,882

    General Reserves:

    £12,492.74 (possible conflict with Reserves Policy)

    Project Reserves:

    Nil

    Statement:

    This work is required to maintain the building's exterior decoration.

    Funding:

    Test Valley Borough Council - £405 applied for

    Melchet Park and Plaitford Parish Council - £235 applied for

    Recommendation:

    £627