Contact: Louise Pickford - Ext: 7355

e-mail: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1. At the Executive Member for Policy and Resources' meeting held on 16 October 2003, a request for financial assistance from Hythe Youth Club towards building improvements was considered.

1.2. At that meeting, it was agreed, as the Executive Member for Policy and Resources represents the area in which the organisation is based, to refer the request to the Executive Member for Education for a decision.

2. Background Information

2.1. In December 2001, Hythe Youth Club received a grant of £3,000 from the Policy and Resources grants budget towards improving the interior of the building and these works were carried out at that time. Unfortunately, not long after this, the youth facility closed due to lack of volunteers.

2.2. The Club wish to reopen the facility, which will now be run by a group of volunteers, in conjunction with Hythe and Dibden Parish Council and Hampshire County Youth Service. They are seeking grant aid of £5,000 to carry out further improvement works. This includes replacement windows, refurbishing toilets and kitchen and converting a room into a quiet area/office. The estimated total cost of the works to be carried out is £29,500. These works will meet the new requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act. So far £18,000 has been raised which includes contributions from New Forest District Council, Hythe and Dibden Parish Council and Police agencies.

2.3. The Club's aim is to develop positive, acceptable behaviour within the community and hope that inclusion in positive activities provided by the Club, will help young people to avoid crime, anti-social and hazardous situations.

3. Previous grants awarded

3.1. The following grants have been awarded from Policy and Resources grants budget:-

30.03.89 - £250 - electrical repairs
09.09.93 - £3,000 - improvement works
26.10.98 - £500 - purchase of equipment
12.12.01 - £3,000 - improvements to the interior of the building

4. Comments of the relevant Officer

4.1. The Area Youth Officer's comments are:-

4.2. A new committee has been established with representation from Hampshire County Youth Service and Hythe and Dibden Youth Project to aid their development of work with young people. A partnership agreement is being developed with the Club and it could play a key role in the delivery of services to and with young people. This is a valuable community resource, which is ideally located and deserves support.

4.3. The Leader of the County Council and Councillor B. Dash, the local Member, are both supportive of this application.

RECOMMENDATION

That a grant be awarded to Hythe Youth Club towards its building improvements programme, the agreed sum to be met from the Policy and Resources grants budget.

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.

8BR351103