Contact: Annette Rebentisch, ext 7150

1. Summary

The following decisions are sought.

1.1 That the proposals for the support of voluntary organisations in 2003/04 as set out in the report be approved.

2 Reason

2.1 To make contributions towards the costs of services provided by voluntary organisations which are compatible with the objectives, priorities and policies of the Social Services Department.

2.2 Funding voluntary organisations is fundamental to achieving the aim of "maximising life opportunities", contributes to "improving services" and the partnership approach assists with "achieving economic prosperity" and "building strong and safe communities".

2.3 The applications in this report have been managed in accordance with the Hampshire Compact.

3 Other options considered and rejected

3.1 None

4 Conflicts of Interest declared by the decision-maker or other Executive Member consulted

4.1 None

5 Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee

5.1 None

6 Reason(s) for the matter being dealt with if urgent

6.1 Not applicable.

Approved by: Date of decision:

Councillor Felicity Hindson

Contact: Annette Rebentisch, Ext: 7150

Presenter: Alan Edwards, Ext: 7158

1. Summary

1.1 This report seeks the approval of grants of £5,000 or more to voluntary organisations for 2003/04.

1.2 Funding voluntary organisations is fundamental to achieving the aim of "maximising life opportunities", contributes to "improving services" and the partnership approach assists with "achieving economic prosperity" and "building strong and safe communities".

1.3 The applications in this report have been managed in accordance with the Hampshire Compact.

2. Background

2.1 At the Executive Member's previous Decision Days during 2003/04, grants to voluntary organisations amounting to £696,958 were approved against a budget of £0.88M.

2.2 This report seeks the approval of further grants of £5,000 or more, amounting to £39,115.

3 Cherry Tree Nursery, Supported Work Opportunity Project - £7,720

3.1 The Supported Work Opportunity Project of the Cherry Tree Nursery provides sheltered, horticultural work opportunities for people with mental health problems living in Dorset and West Hampshire. It enables them to develop skills, have a meaningful occupation and thus promotes their sense of worth, heightens their self esteem and their mental well being.

3.2 The Project offers a holistic service: Additionally to the work opportunity, it promotes occupational rehabilitation and gives adult literacy and numeracy training.

3.3 About 100 volunteers benefit from the Project, of which 8 live in Hampshire. Seven of these volunteers suffer from mental health problems, one volunteer has a learning disability.

3.4 The grant of £7,720 would contribute to the core costs of the project in Hampshire: Nursery workers, and the training programme.

3.5 The amount was calculated by the organisation in proportion to the number of volunteers from the County of Hampshire. The Social Services of Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole have been approached for grants in proportion to the number of volunteers from their City or County.

3.6 The Project is seen as providing excellent services at a very reasonable cost. A grant of £7,720 is therefore recommended.

4 Headway, Basingstoke - £6,395

4.1 Headway provides information and support to brain injured people and their families. It raises awareness of brain injured people and the difficulties they face, creates a network of caring and knowledgeable self help groups, and disseminates information about brain injury to professionals working with brain injured people. Additionally, it campaigns on safety issues to prevent severe brain injury and encourages further research.

4.2 29 people benefit from the service of which 26 live in the County of Hampshire. About 18 of them are clients of the Social Services.

4.3 The grant of £6,395 would contribute to extend the current service: to include training and administration in order to avoid closing Headway Place to members on one day per month and to give training and support to all staff and volunteers.

4.4 Headway, Basingstoke, had enter two grant applications; one for the extension of services over £6,395 and another over £6,000 to ensure the maintenance of the current level of services. The grant applications were delayed due to the organisation's inability to provided audited accounts for 2002. Account information has now been received and the accounts have been found to be in order.

4.5 In the meantime, North Hampshire PCT, who previously funded the service, have successfully obtained a neurology bid for a pilot that focuses on the improvement and extension of the level of community rehabilitation of brain injured people and to work with the voluntary sector and social services to ensure that all pathways are integrated. The bid includes costs for the rehab services.

4.6 Headway is seen to offer valuable services to clients of the Social Services. It has not yet received any funding from the Social Services. However, to avoid duplication, only the grant of £6,395 is recommended. Further funding will depend on the outcome of the pilot, i.e. the funding it provides now and in the future to Headway, Basingstoke.

5 ROCC - £25,000

5.1 With a large network of members ROCC provides advice, training and consultancy to assist in the development of services for disadvantaged and marginalized groups. It aims to improve the efficiency of the administration of charities in the County of Hampshire and neighbouring districts. ROCC is specialised in housing and related support services, but works across the spectrum of not-for-profit social need organisations.

5.2 The grant would contribute to the core costs of ROCC. In addition it will aid the development of a programme of `Cascade' training for Adult Protection for the voluntary sector on behalf of Social Services. The training has already been advertised.

5.3 The direct beneficiaries of the services ROCC provides are the charities and voluntary organisations who receive training and support. It is believed, therefore, that indirectly all who receive support from these charities or voluntary organisations will benefit.

5.4 ROCC has received funding from the Social Services in previous years.

5.5 A grant of £25,000 is recommended.

RECOMMENDATION

1. That the proposals for the support of voluntary organisations in 2003/04 as set out below be approved.

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

Applications for grants in 2003/04, submitted by the individual voluntary organisations included in this report.