Hampshire County Council

Executive Member - Recreation and Heritage Item 2

25 September 2003

Partnership funding for Voluntary Bodies and other Organisations 2003/04 - Countryside Service

Report of the Director of Recreation and Heritage

Contact: Charles Cuthbert Ext: 6037

1. Summary

1.1 The following decision is sought:

That partnership funding, set out in the table below and totalling £73,400 is distributed from the 2003/04 budget:

2. Reasons for the Recommendation

The organisations are key partners and deliver countryside management and conservation projects and activities in support of the Countryside Service strategy.

3. Other options considered and rejected

- making no grants

- making reduced grants

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. Reasons for matter being dealt with, if urgent

Not applicable.

Approved by: (Signature) Date: (of decision)

.................................. .........................

Councillor J. Waddington

Hampshire County Council

Executive Member - Recreation and Heritage Item 2

25 September 2003

Partnership funding for Voluntary Bodies and other Organisations 2003/04 - Countryside Service

Report of the Director of Recreation and Heritage

Contact: Charles Cuthbert ext 6037

1. Summary

1.1 This report considers applications for financial assistance for 2003/04 from voluntary groups and other organisations working in the field of countryside management and conservation. It recommends the distribution of £73,400 of partnership funding for 2003/04.

2. Background

2.1 Voluntary conservation bodies and other organisations are invited to apply for annual revenue grants to assist them with their essential running costs. The support enables them to deliver countryside management projects and activities in support of the Countryside Service strategy.

3. Financial Situation 2003/04

3.1 The base budget for countryside grants in 2003/04 is £73,400.

3.2 Grant recommendations totalling £73,400 are listed in Appendix 1.

4. Legal Implications

4.1 Under Section 2 Local Government Act 2000, the Council has the power to do anything which it considers likely to achieve the promotion or improvement of the economic, social or environmental well-being of its area. This power may be exercised in relation to the whole or part of the Council's area, or all or any persons resident or present in the Council's area. It includes the power to give financial assistance to any person or body. Before exercising this power it is necessary to have regard to any guidance issued by the Secretary of State. Such guidance was issued in May 2001. This confirms that it is for the Council itself to determine whether particular actions would promote or improve well-being. Although there are certain other limits on the power, these do not affect the proposals in this report.

4.2 Providing financial support to these bodies helps in the delivery of the County Council's Corporate Strategy, particularly in relation to stewardship of the environment. Through such grants, the Countryside Service is able to further its aims of protecting Hampshire's countryside, encouraging public awareness of the environment and of developing close partnerships with voluntary organisations in a cost-effective way. There is a strong community element to the work of each of the different organisations which are in turn, helping to promote and deliver economic, social and environmental benefits to the people of Hampshire.

Recommendation

That seven grants totalling £73,400 are distributed from the 2003/04 budget as set out in Appendix 1.

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

Grant applications. Arts, Sport and Community Service, Mottisfont Court, Winchester

Appendix 1. Schedule of Countryside Grants : 2003-04

Hampshire Wildlife Trust

The Trust has enjoyed a close partnership with the Countryside Service over many years and continues to provide support for a wide range of the County Council's policies, in particular those of conserving the environment of

Hampshire. The purpose of the grant is to support the Trust's conservation activities and, in particular, to support the programme of conservation work being carried out at a number of nature reserves which are managed in a partnership between the Trust and the Countryside Service.

Grant : £11,500

British Trust for Conservation Volunteers (BTCV): Hampshire Project

The BTCV is the leading national organisation which promotes and supports the work of conservation volunteers. In Hampshire, the Trust has more than 120 affiliated local community groups actively involved in practical

environmental action. These groups are supported by a small project team that provides training, advice and other practical help for countryside conservation work in Hampshire. The Countryside Service receives a considerable benefit from the BTCV, particularly through the invaluable work carried out by local groups of conservation volunteers across a wide range of

our countryside sites.

The purpose of the grant is to support the BTCV's work in promoting local conservation initiatives through voluntary action in Hampshire.

Grant : £14,500

Butterfly Conservation (Hampshire and Isle of Wight Branch)

The local branch of Butterfly Conservation is an independent voluntary organisation concerned primarily with the conservation of butterflies and moths in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. The branch has been very active in promoting butterfly conservation, in establishing its own nature reserves (three in Hampshire) and in the ongoing surveying and monitoring of populations.

The purpose of the grant is to support a programme of surveying and monitoring of target species of butterflies on sites managed by the Countryside Service. The grant is subject to a wider Service Level Agreement drawn up jointly with the Environment Department.

Grant : £1,500

Marwell Zoological Park

A grant is needed to support the conservation and education programme of the Zoo, both through the work of the Conservation Education Centre, and the Zoo's work in promoting biodiversity conservation in Hampshire and beyond.

Hampshire Schools are able to visit Marwell at a discounted price compared with schools from other areas.

Grant : £41,000

Hampshire Conservation Volunteers

HCV have requested a grant to support their programme of practical conservation work, carried out throughout Hampshire, including many projects on the County Council's Countryside Sites. The purpose of the grant is to support ongoing practical conservation work carried out on our countryside sites.

Grant : £500

Danebury Trust

The Trust has requested a grant towards its an ongoing programme of archaeological research in the Danebury area. The purpose of the grant is to maintain the Recreation and Heritage Department's support for the Trust's archaeological research, linked to our land at Danebury Hill-fort and the Andover Museum. The grant is matched by a similar grant provided by the Environment Department.

Grant : £3,000

Fullers Vale Wildlife Conservation Group

A `one-off' grant is needed towards the restoration of Fullers Vale Wildlife Pond at Headley. This grant is supported by the local member.

Grant : £1,400