Hampshire County Council

Executive Member - Recreation and Heritage Item 3

12 December 2002

Support for the East Hampshire Consortium Community Resources Project

Report of the Director of Recreation and Heritage

Contact: Margaret Plumridge, ext 6173

1. Summary

The following decision is sought:

i) that funding totalling £74,700 be allocated to this project over the next 3 years from the Neighbourhood Initiatives Fund

2. Reason

To support the East Hampshire Consortium Project and enable its future development.

3. Options considered and rejected

i) making no allocation

ii) making an allocation at a higher or lower level

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 3

12 December 2002

Support for the East Hampshire Consortium Community Resources Project

Report of the Director of Recreation and Heritage

1. Summary

1.1 The purpose of this report is to provide the Executive Member with information about the East Hampshire Resources Project and to request funding for a project which will provide support and assist with its future development over the next three years.

2. The Original Project

2.1 The East Hampshire Consortium Project was established in East Hampshire using funding obtained by Voluntary Action East Hampshire for the consortium from the Home Office Active Community Unit (ACU).

2.2 The project has proved to be innovative being the only one of its kind in the country that has developed from a consortium of community organisations working together. It has provided resources for the voluntary and community sector throughout East Hampshire. The consortium continue to meet and are able to work together on joint projects providing joint strategic support throughout the area.

2.3 The consortium members are:

· Alton Community Association

· Whitehill and Bordon Community Association

· Headley Down Community Association

· Horndean Community Association

· Kingsley Village Centre

· Liss Community Association

· Petersfield Community Association

· Petersfield Voluntary Centre

· Voluntary Action for East Hampshire

2.4 The objectives of the original project were:

i) to provide information, advice, access to information and communications technology, equipment and community services for local groups

ii) to link each resource centre by means of broad band ICT

iii) to provide support and development through training and capacity building with a view to ensuring equity of resources and skills across the district

iv) to promote and engage in community development at a local level

2.5 The consortium was successful in its bid for capital resources from the ACU but was unsuccessful in its bid to the Community Fund for the revenue funding required to employ a development worker to develop the project further. However, some funding has been obtained from East Hampshire District Council to assist the project in its initial stages.

2.6 The resources provided include:

In house: PC Windows, broad band Internet access, Funder Finder, PQASSO (a quality model for community organisations), printer/scanner, laminator, comb binder

For loan: laptop, overhead projectors, digital camera, portable loop system, flip charts, display boards

3. Proposals for development

3.1 In order for the project to progress further the consortium does need personnel support in the form of a development worker as envisaged as part of the original project.

3.2 This project supports the Recreation and Heritage Department's Community Support Team's current strategy for the development of networks and joint working groups among community associations and village halls and the training and development programme. Discussions have been held between the consortium and members of the Community Support Team about this provision. Following these discussions an initial project brief has been developed.

4. The Development Project

4.1 The aims of this project would be:-

i) to provide support for the East Hampshire Consortium and its Resources Project

ii) to develop links between the East Hampshire Consortium members and other community resources in East Hampshire particularly the village halls and potential Discovery Centres

iii) to develop an active partnership between Hampshire County Council and the East Hampshire Consortium.

4.2 This will be achieved by the appointment of a development worker who will work throughout East Hampshire and with the consortium members to ensure:

i) that the resources available at the centres are marketed to local organisations thus ensuring the increased use of the resources throughout East Hampshire

ii) that appropriate training and development packages are developed for community organisations throughout Hampshire using the resources available at the centres including PQASSO.

iii) that further joint projects are developed in conjunction with the consortium such as district wide projects for young people and the development of a financial brokerage which would be available to all community organisations.

4.3 An advisory group would be set up in order to manage the project consisting of an officer from Hampshire County Council and consortium members. It is proposed that the member of staff be employed by Hampshire County Council on a 3 year fixed term contract.

4.4 The outcomes for the project will be:

i) increased use of the resources available

ii) to build the capacity of local community organisations in East Hampshire

iii) a further strengthening of the consortium partnership

4.5 An evaluation of the project will form part of the exit strategy. If this project proves to be successful consideration will be given to the development of similar networks and structures in other districts across the county.

5. Meeting the Community Strategy for East Hampshire

5.1 This project will address a number of action points in the East Hampshire Community Strategy for 2002 - 2007 "Our Communities - Our Future" e.g.

6. Financial Implications

6.1 A budget for the project has been produced based on the employment of a Development Worker for 3 days a week. The cost overall will be £24,900 per annum, £74,700 over 3 years and can be met from the budget allocation for neighbourhood initiatives. This included the cost of providing office space at Merchistoun Hall, Horndean Community Association, the employment process and the final years evaluation report. (See Appendix A)

6.2 As this project has the potential to deliver to a number of community strategy actions a bid will be made to the Executive Member, Community Development and Regeneration for funding to bring the post up to full time.

Recommendation

That funding totalling £74,700 be allocated from the Neighbourhood Initiatives Fund to this project over the next 3 years.

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.

TITLE LOCATION

None

APPENDIX A

EAST HANTS RESOURCES PROJECT BUDGET

TOTAL £74,700 or £24,900 per annum

2002/2003 £24,900

2003/2004 £24,900

2004/2005 £24,900