Archived decisions
Hampshire County Council
Executive Member - Recreation and Heritage Item 6
18 July 2002
Community Support Grants 2002/03
Report of the Director of Recreation and Heritage
Contact: Margaret Plumridge Ext: 6173
1. Summary
1.1 The following decisions are sought:
i) that grants totalling £16,552 be approved for allocation from the Community Grants Fund as listed below;
Hall/Centre |
District |
£ |
Burley Village Hall |
New Forest |
4,698 |
Bursledon and District Community Association |
Eastleigh |
1,333 |
Kingsclere Community Association (The Fieldgate Centre) |
Basingstoke & Deane |
350 |
Rowlands Castle Parish Hall |
East Hants |
526 |
Sarisbury Parish Rooms |
Fareham |
457 |
Sherfield English Village Hall |
Test Valley |
417 |
Stanmore & District Community Association |
Winchester |
4,422 |
Titchfield Community Association |
Fareham |
3,755 |
Upper Clatford Village Hall |
Test Valley |
594 |
TOTAL |
16,552 |
ii) that Annual Revenue Support of £3,000 be allocated to Crofton Community Association.
2. Reason
To support organisations that seek to enable local people to meet the recreational, educational, social, cultural and environmental needs of their local communities.
3. Other Options considered and rejected
- Making grants at higher and lower levels.
- Making no grants at all.
4 Conflicts of interest declared by the decision maker or a member or officer consulted. - None
5 Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee - Not applicable.
6 Reason(s) for the matter being dealt with if urgent - Not applicable.
Hampshire County Council | |||
Executive Member - Recreation and Heritage |
Item 6 | ||
18 July 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
iii) to provide details of a request for Annual Revenue Support from Crofton Community Association
3. Financial Implications
3.1 The proposals in Appendix 3 amount to £16,552 and can be met from the Community Grants Fund. An application from Ringwood Community Association is to be considered by Councillor Thornber. This will leave a balance of £57,148 for the remainder of the year. The grant distribution criteria is set out in Appendix 2. All projects meet fully the criteria and have been allocated a proposed level of funding in line with the criteria.
3.2 Appendix 4 contains a request from Crofton Community Association for Annual Revenue Support. The proposal to allocate £3,000 can be met from within the budget.
4. Annual Revenue Support
4.1 The policy and conditions governing this grant aid were revised in June 1999. At that time it was agreed that the following criteria should be used when considering applications for this funding.
4.2 Priority should be given to organisations that:
· Have an area of benefit that is disadvantaged or is an area of special need.
· Have an area of benefit that has few or no facilities.
· Are new.
4.3 Organisations must demonstrate:
· That there is evidence of self-help and of maximising the organisation's own resources
· That there are positive proposals for the development of the community programme and premises in order to meet local needs
· That the activities support the organisation's charitable aims (as stated in the Recreational Charities Act 1958)
· That the services provided are contributing to Hampshire County Council's Corporate Strategy.
4.4 It is expected that this grant aid will, wherever possible, reduce annually.
4.5 The application from Crofton Community Association set out in Appendix 4 meets the criteria. It is pleasing to note that the bar/café project will soon be up and running and making a significant contribution to the financial sustainability of the Association.
5. Recommendations
i) That grants totalling £16,552 be approved for allocation from the Community Grants Fund.
ii) That Annual Revenue Support of £3,000 be approved for allocation to Crofton Community Association.
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 30 May 2002 |
-265,200 -10,600 |
0 -10,600 |
-118,000 |
-110,200 |
-37,000 |
Balance available prior to this meeting |
132,700 |
74,700 |
32,000 |
Nil |
26,000 |
Proposed allocations |
-19,552 |
-16,552 |
-3,000 |
0 |
0 |
Ringwood Community Association (decision to be made by Councillor Thornber) |
-672 |
-672 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Balance remaining |
112,476 |
57,476 |
29,000 |
Nil |
26,000 |
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.
Appendix 3
Summary of recommended grants meeting the criteria
Appendix 4
Crofton Community Association
Local Member: Councillor T. Knight
Area of Benefit Stubbington Fareham |
Facilities Large Centre - main hall - Sports Hall - 5 rooms -tennis courts - bowling green - football pitches |
Staff Manager 8 support staff 3 p/t | |
Objectives Achieved Junior operatic show Children summer activities Bar/café project |
Future Objectives ICT room Website Expansion of Junior Council Possibly Local Information Point | ||
Management skills Committee members with management experience |
Training needs Managing meetings | ||
Finance 2001/2002 Pre grant deficit of £1,000 |
Finance 2002/03 Anticipating a deficit of £4,429 and have less than 2 months reserves | ||
Comments There has been an issue over the cost of staffing the building which is being addressed. A new manager has been appointed. The bar project is expected to be up and running shortly and it is expected that it will generate income for this organisation which in turn should reduce the need for Annual Revenue Support. |
Criteria Their programme of activities meets the criteria. | ||