Hampshire County Council

Executive Member - Recreation and Heritage Item 14

17 July 2003

Test Valley Brass and John Hanson Community School, Andover

Report of the Director of Recreation and Heritage

Contact: Michael Fuller Ext: 6016

1. Summary

1.1 The following Decision is sought:

That a capital grant of £10,000 be made to Test Valley Brass as a contribution to the works creating a band base in the new John Hanson Community School, Andover from the Recreation and Heritage Capital Programme.

2. Reason

2.1 To allow Test Valley Brass to pay for the extra facilities built into the new John Hanson School, Andover which will be used for the development of the Band and its work with young people.

3. Other options considered and rejected - Making no award will mean the Band will have to continue its loan and pay it back out of other fundraising activities for some time to come.

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.

Approved by: Date: (date of decision)

Councillor J. Waddington

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(signature)

Hampshire County Council

Executive Member - Recreation and Heritage Item 14

17 July 2003

Test Valley Brass and John Hanson Community School, Andover

Report of the Director of Recreation and Heritage

Contact: Michael Fuller Ext: 6016

1. Introduction

1.1 The Test Valley Brass has negotiated a joint use facility at the John Hanson Community School, Andover whereby the Band can make use of a large music suite at the School in return for an initial capital investment.

2. The Test Valley Brass Band and the John Hanson Community School, Andover

2.1 The Test Valley Brass Band is a self governing group which runs three bands, comprising Test Valley Brass (Mitutoyo), Test Valley Concert Band and Test Valley Brass Youth Band. The group is formally constituted with charitable status and has an elected Management Committee. The bands perform a wide range of brass band music at all standards in Andover, Hampshire, England and internationally.

2.2 The John Hanson Community School in Andover was rebuilt on a new site in 2002. As a result of negotiations with the Band extra space was created in the Performing Arts Block for the teaching of music. The Band and the School have drawn up an agreement for shared use in return for a contribution of £60,000 from the Band. There is shared use of the Band Room with exclusive use of the adjacent storage facility. Essentially, the school uses the space during weekdays and the Band can book it for the other times. This is working well with good relations between the two organisations.

3. Financial Implications

3.1 The contribution by Test Valley Brass to the capital scheme is good value for the facilities the band can use. The sum of £60,000 is a significant figure for the Band to raise and so they have embarked upon a fundraising campaign which includes an approach to the County Council. In 1995/96 £10,000 was earmarked in the Arts Capital Programme for an earlier scheme for the organisation to locate at Harrow Way school. Unfortunately lottery funding was not forthcoming and so the organisation continued it's search for a suitable location. This report recommends that funding of £10,000 is made to the Band to support their use of the John Hanson School.

4. Legal Implications

4.1 The County Council is able to utilise broad powers under the Local Government Act 1972 to provide financial support for the arts. In particular, Section 145 of the Act enables the Council to contribute towards the expenses of doing anything necessary or expedient for any of a number of purposes, including the provision of entertainment of any nature, or the provision of a theatre, concert hall, dance hall or other premises suitable for entertainment. The powers include the ability to contribute towards the expenses of maintaining a band or orchestra and towards the development and improvement of the knowledge, understanding and practice of the arts.

Recommendation

That a capital grant of £10,000 be made to Test Valley Brass as a contribution to the works creating a band base in the new John Hanson Community School, Andover from the Recreation and Heritage Capital Programme.

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.

N.B. the list excludes:

1. Published works.

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

TITLE LOCATION

Agreement between Test Valley Brass and The Governing Body of John Hanson Community School Arts Office file

RALP Application 2002 Arts Office file