Contact: Louise Pickford - Ext 7355

1. Summary

1.1. The balance of the budget available for grants to voluntary organisations in 2003/04 is
£390,543 after allocating for the grants approved at the last decision day, commitments made in previous years and sums earmarked for specific purposes and an additional sum of £200,000 (agreed by Cabinet in June 2003).

1.2. The following decisions are sought:

(i) That the financial position be noted.

(ii) That approval be given to grants to voluntary organisations as listed below:-

Name of Organisation Decision £

1.	St Lawrence Church Clock Appeal, Alton	1,000
2.	Riding for the Disabled Association, Brockenhurst	5,000 this year and 5,000 in 2004/05
3.	Andover Crisis and Support Centre	5,000
4.	Portsmouth Action Field Gun 2001	500
5.	Andover Young Carers Project	5,000
6.	North Baddesley Parish Council	5,000
7.	Test Valley Brass	2,000
8.	HMS Cricket Memorial Enabling Committee	2,000 subject to matching contribution for Recreation and Heritage
9.	The Botley Neighbourcare Scheme	5,000
10.	Gosport Society	£1,500
11.	Hampshire Sri-Lankan Cultural Society	250 on the very strict understanding that this is the final payment for these events
12.	Stratfield Saye Educational Foundation	250
13.	SGI UK, Hampshire branch	1,000 (already paid) and up to 1,680 to cover school transport costs
14.	Hampshire and IOW Community Foundation	5,000

2. Reason(s):

2.1. To promote economic, social or environmental well-being within the community.

3. Other options considered and rejected:

Not applicable.

4. Conflicts of interest declared by the decision maker or a Member or Officer consulted:

Not applicable.

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: ...............................

Councillor T.K. Thornber, CBE

Contact: Louise Pickford - Ext: 7355

7. Financial Position

7.1. The balance of the budget available for grants to voluntary organisations in 2003/04 is £190,543 after allocating for the grants approved at the last decision day, commitments made in previous years and sums earmarked for specific purposes.

7.2. At the meeting of Cabinet in June earlier this year it was agreed that £200,000 be added to this budget for 2003/04. Therefore, the amount available for allocation at today's meeting amounts to £390,543.

7.3. The Schedule of attached items gives details of 14 applications which, if
agreed in the amounts recommended, would total £36,680.

7.4. 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 the financial position be noted.

2. That grants totalling £36,680 be made to voluntary organisations and other bodies as specified in the report.

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

5dR143803

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 Executive Member (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. Applications from schools undertaking school trips may not be considered.

(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.

(xiii) As a general rule, grants will be held up to a maximum of three years after the award was made.