Archived decisions

Hampshire County Council

Executive Member - Policy and Resources Item 1

12 September 2002

Financial Assistance to Voluntary Organisations and Other Bodies

Report of the Chief Executive

Contact: Louise Pickford - Ext: 7355

1. Financial Position

1.1. The balance of the budget available for grants to voluntary organisations in 2002/03 is £81,065 after allocating grants approved at the last decision day.

1.2. Two grants of £300 and £150 from West Hart Families and John Newman of Four Marks respectively, have been returned to the County Council. West Hart Families has had to return the monies due to the organisation no longer continuing to operate. John is now unable to take part in a community building project the Philippines. Therefore, the sum available for allocation at today's meeting is £81,515.

1.3. The Schedule of attached items gives details of 8 applications which, if
agreed in the amounts recommended, would total £21,800. .

1.4. A copy of the guidelines for allocations of grants by the Executive Member for
Policy and Resources is attached as an appendix to this report.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

1. That grants totalling £21,800 be made to voluntary organisations and other bodies as specified in the report.

2. That the two grants of £300 and £150 returned to the County Council by West Hart Families and John Newman of Four Marks be noted.

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 excluded:

    1. Published works.

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

TITLE FILE

Letters from organisations which Chief Executive's Department

Applied for financial assistance

5dR630802

Appendix

EXECUTIVE MEMBER FOR POLICY AND RESOURCES

GUIDELINES FOR ALLOCATION OF GRANTS

TO VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS AND OTHER BODIES

These notes should be regarded as guidelines and not prescriptive rules.

(i) Assistance will be considered only in response to direct applications from the individual or organisation seeking assistance.

(ii) Where appropriate, applications will be referred to the relevant Committee (e.g. Social Services, Recreation & Heritage, Education, etc).

(iii) Grants will normally be "one off" and not recurring.

(iv) Preference will be given to applications for specific projects rather than "general running costs" of organisations or projects with on-going revenue implications. Any applications for the latter must state how the on-going costs will be met.

(v) Only in exceptional circumstances will grants be made in respect of applications from the following:-

    · District or Parish Councils (precepting bodies)

    · Government Institutions (e.g. NHS)

    · Schools (exceptions might include special schools)

    · Overseas and out of County organisations which have no direct Hampshire involvement

    · Branches or organisations assisted centrally with a sum from the County Council (e.g. Citizens Advice Bureaux)

    · Bodies requesting funds for onward distribution to charities e.g. mayoral appeals, carnivals, fetes, etc.

(vi) Assistance will be considered for organisations based in Portsmouth or Southampton only insofar as benefits to the wider County result.

(vii) Where possible self-help within organisations should be encouraged and to this end, grants should normally be a percentage of the sum required to complete the project.

(viii) Requests may be considered from individuals undertaking trips for vocational/educational purposes.

(ix) Requests may be considered from County wide groups (e.g. Guides, Scouts, Hampshire County Youth Orchestra) for specific trips, e.g. for an international jamboree or cultural tour.

(x) Conditions may be attached to any grant if considered appropriate, e.g. availability of minibuses for community use when not in use by the owning organisation.

(xi) As a general rule, grants in excess of £5,000 will not be awarded.

(xii) Where financial support is sought towards a facility, which is used by others, such as a hall or minibus, details should be given of the extent of that use (in % term(s) and to what extent charges are made.

5dR630802