Archived decisions
Hampshire County Council
Executive Member - Recreation and Heritage Item 1
12 December 2002
Annual Revenue Support to Community Associations
Report of the Director of Recreation & Heritage
Contact: Margaret Plumridge, ext 6173
1. Summary
The following decision is sought:
i) that annual revenue support totalling £8,250 be allocated to:
Portchester Community Association - £4,500
Headley Down Community Association - £3,750
2. Reason
To support these organisations annual revenue costs.
3. Options considered and rejected
i) making no allocations
ii) making allocations at higher or lower levels
4. Conflict 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 for matter being dealt with if urgent
Not applicable
Approved by: (signature) Date: (date of decision)
..................................... .........................................
Cllr J Waddington
Hampshire County Council
Executive Member - Recreation and Heritage Item 1
12 December 2002
Annual Revenue Support to Community Associations
Report of the Director of Recreation & Heritage
Contact: Margaret Plumridge, ext 6173
1. Introduction
1.1 The Recreation and Heritage Department works in partnership with Community Associations 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.
2. Purpose
2.1 The purpose of this report is to provide details of two requests for support towards annual revenue costs.
3. Finance
3.1 It was agreed that in 2002/03, £150,000 should be set aside for annual revenue support . A total of £121,000 has been allocated to date leaving £29,000 as yet unallocated.
4. Applications for Annual Revenue Support
4.1 Two applications have been received for funding :-
Portchester Community Association - annual revenue support of £4,500
Headley Down Community Association - further funding of £3,750
5. Portchester Community Association
5.1 This organisation has been funded by Hampshire County Council for a number of years:
£
1997/98 |
15,000 |
1998/99 |
12,000 |
1999/00 |
10,000 |
2000/01 |
9,000 |
5.2 They have in the past also had the services of a seconded member of staff acting as their Centre Manager but in recent years have employed their own. During the financial year 2000/01 the organisation began to experience both financial and organisational problems. These difficulties increased when their Centre Manager resigned leaving a gap in the organisational structure and the Association concluded that it would inadvisable to recruit to the post given their financial position.
5.3 At this point the Association's Trustee's applied to the Recreation and Heritage Department's Community Support Team for assistance and a member of staff was attached to the organisation temporarily to help them to resolve their difficulties. No financial aid was given during this period. Because of ill health, the Community Support Team has been unable to continue to provide this assistance. However, it is clear that stabilisation will be difficult without some managerial support. Consequently it has been agreed that the association needs to once again recruit to the vacant Centre Manager's post.
5.4 In order to do this, funding support will be required and it is proposed to allocate £4,500 to the Association for the period January - March 2003, to assist them with the costs of employing a new Centre Manager. The situation will be closely monitored by the Community Support Team and the financial situation reviewed at the beginning of the financial year 2003/04.
5.5 The Association receives support from Fareham Borough Council through project funding and officer support together with significant resources towards the upkeep of the building which is owned by the Borough.
6. Headley Down Community Association
6.1 Headley Down Community Association have requested a further £3,750 to assist with their revenue costs.
6.2 There has been a significant increase in activity in recent years due to their developmental work in the area. The association is now managing 3 specific projects:
a) Woodlands Children's Club - which is an after-school club
b) Woodlands Youth Club - which has been involved in activities at Calshot and the Welsh Mountain Centres
c) Headley Down Action Group - who are working to improve the environment on the estate and local area and have successfully developed the children's playground project.
6.3 Each group is seeking revenue support from the Community Association and this is putting a strain on their resources.
6.4 Headley Down Community Association is funded through a partnership with the District Council and the Parish Council. The contribution of the District Council has risen from £7,690 in 2000/01 to £13,750 in this financial year. The contribution from the Parish has been £1,500. Hampshire County Council's contribution has risen from £6,000 in 2000/01 to £10,000 in this financial year. If a further increase is allocated, Hampshire County Council's contribution will be £13,750 and equal the District Council's contribution.
6.5 It is proposed that a joint review of the funding of this organisation should take place before funding is allocated in the next financial year.
Recommendations
1. That £4,500 be allocated to Portchester Community Association towards its annual revenue costs.
2. That a further £3,750 be allocated to Headley Down Community Association towards its annual revenue costs.
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:
1. Published works
2. Documents which disclose exempt or confidential information as defined in the act.
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