Contact: Frances Martin, Community Strategy Officer Ext: 5122

1. Summary

1.1 This report outlines the budget commitments for the development of the Community Strategy and Local Strategic Partnerships (LSP's) to date, made under delegated powers by the Chief Executive and the Executive Member for Community Development and Regeneration

1.2 This report also outlines that further bids are expected against the 2002/03 Community Strategy budget, for which further clarification and detail is awaiting. However this report asks that any remaining balance against this budget be carried over to the next financial year.

1.3 Finally, this report details a bid for £37,000 funding of a project for Mapping the Community and Voluntary Sector, also against the Community Strategy budget.

1 Background

2.1 This report provides an update of the spend on the Community Strategy funding budget, provides information on recent allocations for spending made under delegated powers and includes upcoming bids from the district LSP's, the County Council and the Hampshire Strategic Partnership.

2.2 A budget for supporting projects derived from the County Council's statutory duty to prepare a community strategy was agreed for the current financial year and comprises £200,000 for pump priming the LSP's and to develop further Community Strategies.

2.3 Each of the 11 LSP's are encouraged to bid for money from this budget to support the development of their LSPs and for the pump priming of projects. To date the LSP's have been focusing on process and establishing effective partnerships, however next year they will be in a much stronger position where they can start to commission projects to meet the targets and aims of their Community Strategy.

2.4 The budget is also available for the development and implementation of the Hampshire Strategic Partnership, the countywide LSP.

2.5 Under delegated powers, the Chief Executive can approve amounts of less than £2000. The Executive Member for Community Development and Regeneration can approve amounts between £2000 and £5000. Amounts exceeding £5000 must be approved by the Leader.

3. Current position

3.1 The following bids have been received from the district LSP's and approved by the Chief Executive, so far for the financial year 2002/3:

3.2 The following bids have been received from the district LSP's and approved by the Executive Member for Community Development and Regeneration, so far for the financial year 2002/03:

3.3 Therefore the current total spend for the financial year 2002/3 is £17,229

4. Current bid recommended for approval

4.1 As well as the bids approved above, a further bid for the sum of £37,000 has been received from the Hampshire Strategic Partnership to support a Mapping the Community and Voluntary Sector Project. (Attached at Appendix B is a copy of the report approved by the HSP at its last meeting, which provides a summary of the project)

4.2 The project aims to develop a database and an interactive website holding detailed data on all the voluntary and community organisations in Hampshire. The website will be accessible on different levels from members of the public to support agencies. This database will benefit all the LSP's in Hampshire by enabling them to carry out more effective consultation and engagement and potentially result in stronger partnership working.

4.3 Amounts exceeding £5,000 must be approved by the Leader. The request for £37,000 for funding of the Mapping the Community and Voluntary Sector Project requires approval at the Leaders decision day on 13 February, 2003.

4.4 If approved the total spend so far for the financial year 2002/3 will increase to a total of £54,229

5. Potential bids coming forward for future approval

5.1 As well as the bids above, there are a number of bids anticipated, with more detail and recommendations, by the end of the financial year 2002/03. It is unlikely that even if these bids are approved, that the money will be able to be spent in the financial year 2002/3. It is therefore recommended that any remaining balance be carried forward to the financial year 2003/4 in addition to any existing allocation for that year.

5.3 The attached schedule at appendix A outlines the current spend and forthcoming bids for funding as well as the budget amount remaining for the financial year 2002/03

6. Next Years Budget

6.1 Most of the bids that have been received this year are for establishment of the partnerships and publication of the Community Strategies. As the work of the partnerships progresses and they move from process to action it is anticipated that more requests for pump priming of broader-based projects will be received.

Recommendations

1. To note the bids approved by the Chief Executive and Executive Member for Community Development and Regeneration made under delegated powers

2. To recommend to the Leader to approve the bid for £37,000 for the Mapping the Community and Voluntary Sector Project.

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 excludes:

1. Published works

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

File FM Cabinet Location Community planning/ Committee reports