Contact: Margaret Plumridge, ext 6173
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Hampshire County Council |
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Executive Member - Recreation and Heritage |
Item 7 |
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20 January 2005 |
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Community Buildings Fund - 2004/05 |
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Report of the Director of Recreation and Heritage |
1 Summary
1.1 The County Council works in partnership with specific community organisations particularly community associations and village hall committees who seek to enable local people to meet the recreational, educational, social, cultural and environmental needs of their local communities. These organisations give local people an opportunity to participate in local activities and encourage local initiatives by people of all ages.
1.2 The Council has wide powers under Section 19 Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 to provide recreational facilities and to contribute by way of grant or loan towards expenses incurred by voluntary bodies in providing such facilities.
1.3 Corporate Strategy
Partnership funding from the Community Buildings Fund enables the community sector to maintain the quality of Hampshire's cultural assets, namely their village halls and community association buildings some of which are listed. This finance enables improvements to be made to those buildings and can assist with the development of new facilities where appropriate. The provision of these buildings by the voluntary sector enables local communities to access the services and facilities they need.
By providing financial support to these organisations for the maintenance of their buildings the County Council is able to work in partnership with the community sector to achieve the Corporate Aim - Stewardship of the Environment.
1.4 Impact Assessment
Organisations applying to this scheme are by their nature defined as accessible to all members of the community. This is embodied within their charitable objects, therefore no groups or organisations should be excluded from any benefit arising from these decisions. Furthermore a new application procedure is shortly to be introduced which will include equalities monitoring information agreed as part of the corporate review of grants programmes and procedures.
2. Purpose of Report
2.1 The purpose of this report is:
i) to provide details of the current financial position of the Community Buildings Fund, and
ii) to provide details of requests for partnership funding from the fund.
2.2 The partnership funding distribution criteria is set out in Appendix 1.
2.3 Projects listed in Appendix 2 meet fully the criteria and have been allocated a proposed level of funding in line with the criteria. For information a further scheme, which relates to Colden Common Community Association, has been included although it is recommended that no allocation is made until other partnership funding is sought.
2.4 Projects listed in Appendix 3 have applied for and are eligible for funding. However, further information is required about their funding package before they are brought forward for formal approval.
2. Finance
2.1 In aggregate the decisions taken on 18 November 2004 exhausted the capital programme allocation for this fund. The revised budget process has revealed a past allocation set aside for a community association which is no longer required as the organisation is now funded through the annual revenue support programme. That sum of £9,855, together with savings made through delayed staff appointments of £15,597 is sufficient to cover the recommendations below which amount to £25,452.
Recommendations
The following decision is sought:
i) that partnership funding totalling £25,452 be approved for allocation from the Community Buildings Fund as listed below:
Hall/Centre |
District |
£ |
Bighton Village Hall |
Winchester |
850 |
Droxford Community Hall |
Winchester |
5,250 |
Kilmeston Village Hall |
Winchester |
12,500 |
Thruxton War Memorial Hall |
Test Valley |
3,662 |
Titchfield Community Association |
Fareham |
3,190 |
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Total |
25,452 |
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:
Published works
Documents, which disclose exempt or confidential information as, defined in the act.
Title Location
Applications for financial assistance Community Support Service
Appendix 1
The application criteria for the Community Grants Fund is as follows:
Partnership funding is granted for:
· Building repairs, extensions and refurbishments
· Health and Safety issues
· Equipment to improve the buildings and increase usage
· Feasibility Studies
Who can apply:
· Village Halls (not parish run halls)
· Community Associations
· Other similar community groups
· Church Organisations that have a separate community programme on their property
Funding criteria:
· For projects costing less than £15,000, the funding criteria is up to one third of the cost.
· For projects costing more than £15,000, the grant is calculated at 50% of the combined district and parish contribution up to a maximum of 25% of the project costs or £12,500, whichever is the lesser.
· Feasibility Studies - applications will be considered for 50% of the cost up to a maximum of £500
Priority Criteria:
1. Health and safety issues that could result in the building being closed or activities seriously curtailed if the work is not carried out.
2. The work is absolutely essential in order to meet the terms of the Disability Discrimination Act. (It has been widely publicised that these types of buildings will not be closed provided reasonable steps have been taken to meet the terms of the Act).
3. The project is part of a phased development and this element is essential to it's overall completion.
4. Non priority work.
Appendix 2
Priority 1 Health and Safety
Hall/Centre |
District |
£ |
Droxford Community Hall |
Winchester |
5,250 |
Total |
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5,250 |
Priority 2 Disability Discrimination Act
Hall/Centre |
District |
£ |
Kilmeston Village Hall |
Winchester |
12,500 |
Titchfield Community Association |
Fareham |
3,190 |
Total |
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15,690 |
Priority 3 Phased Development
Hall/Centre |
District |
£ |
Thruxton War Memorial Hall |
Test Valley |
3,662 |
Total |
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3,662 |
Priority 4 Applications for General Improvement Works
Hall/Centre |
District |
£ |
Bighton Village Hall |
Winchester |
850 |
Total |
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850 |
Applications awaiting further information on their funding package:
Hall/ Centre |
District |
£ |
Priority |
Beech Village Hall |
East Hampshire |
12,500 |
1 |
Brockenhurst Village Hall |
New Forest |
12,500 |
4 |
Froyle Village Hall |
East Hampshire |
10,000 |
2 |
Highclere Village Hall |
Basingstoke and Deane |
12,500 |
2 |
Swanmore Methodist Church |
Winchester |
6,250 |
2 |
Victoria Hall, Sutton Scotney |
Winchester |
12,500 |
3 |
Total |
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66,250 |
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Name: |
Bighton Village Hall |
Consultation: |
The local member, Cllr. Susan Glasspool, has been consulted. |
Project: |
Replace fire doors and frame and re-surface main hall floor. |
Priority: |
4 - non priority |
Criteria: |
Building repairs, extensions and refurbishment. |
Links to Corporate Strategy: Equalities assessment |
Improving buildings to enable local communities to access the services and facilities they need. This project will improve the facilities and extend their use to the community. No equalities statement in charitable objects. Users defined as General Public/Mankind |
Cost: |
£2,552 |
General Reserves: |
£4,500 |
Project Reserves: |
Nil |
Statement: |
The fire doors and frame are rotten and beyond repair. The hall floor has lost its surface and the badminton court lines are disappearing. |
Funding: |
Own funds - up to £1,500 Winchester City Council - application made - no amount specified Bighton Parish Council - £300 confirmed |
Recommendation: |
£850 as one third of project cost |
Name: |
Colden Common Community Association |
Consultation: |
The local member, Cllr. Peter Mason, has been consulted. |
Project: |
Replace and install new CCTV cameras, replace lights in main hall and replace broken chairs. |
Priority: |
4 - non priority. |
Criteria: |
Building repairs, extensions and refurbishment. Health & safety issues. |
Links to Corporate Strategy: Equalities Assessment |
Improving buildings to enable local communities to access the services and facilities they need. This project will improve the facilities and extend their use to the community Charitable objects contain an equalities statement. Users defined as General Public/Mankind |
Cost: |
£21,012 |
General Reserves: |
£14,500 |
Project Reserves: |
Nil |
Statement: |
The cameras are required to help minimise vandalism. The lights in the hall need replacing for health and safety reasons. Many of the original chairs are broken and require replacing. |
Funding: |
Own funds - not declared Winchester City Council - no application made Colden Common Parish Council - no specific application made but it is understood they will contribute towards CCTV costs. |
Recommendation: |
No recommendation can be made at this stage as no application has been made to the City Council. |
Name: |
Droxford Community Hall |
Consultation: |
The local member, Cllr. Felicity Hindson has been consulted and is delighted to see that a grant is being proposed. She feels that the hall plays a very important part in the life of the village and that the community has worked hard to keep the hall in good condition. She agrees that it is very important that the roof is repaired before further structural damage takes place. |
Project: |
Replace tiled roof on hall. |
Priority: |
1 - Health and safety. |
Criteria: |
Building repairs, extensions and refurbishment. |
Links to Corporate Strategy: Equalities Assessment |
Improving buildings to enable local communities to access the services and facilities they need. This project will improve the facilities and extend their use to the community. Organisation defined as a Village Hall Trust. Users not classified. |
Cost: |
£20,000 |
General Reserves: |
£3,000 |
Project Reserves: |
Nil |
Statement: |
Extensive leaks have occurred over the last two years culminating in a major tile slippage and leak. A surveyor's report recommends complete replacement. |
Funding: |
Own funds - £5,000 Winchester City Council - application made - no amount specified Droxford Parish Council - £3,500 confirmed |
Recommendation: |
50% of combined district and parish council contributions to a maximum of £12,500 (estimated at £5,250) |
Name: |
Kilmeston Village Hall |
Consultation |
The local member, Cllr Susan Glasspool, has been consulted. |
Project: |
Refurbish hall, kitchen and toilets to modern standards and to meet DDA requirements. |
Priority: |
2 - Disability Discrimination Act. |
Criteria: |
Building repairs, extensions and refurbishment. |
Links to Corporate Strategy Equalities Assessment |
Improving buildings to enable local communities to access the services and facilities they need. This project will improve the facilities and extend their use to the community Organisation defined as a Village Hall Trust. Users classified as General Public/Mankind. |
Cost: |
Now reduced to £61,876 |
General Reserves: |
£20,000 |
Project Reserves: |
£9,000 for this project |
Statement: |
Current building is non-compliant with DDA and is barely acceptable for general use. Standards of heating are inadequate for use by the elderly. There is no other facility available to encourage social inclusion in the village. |
Funding: |
Own funds - £19,000 Winchester City Council - £20,000 confirmed over 2 years Kilmeston Parish Council - £5,000 confirmed |
Recommendation: |
50% of combined district and parish council contributions to a maximum of £12,500. |
Note: This application has been deferred since May 2004 pending information about the lottery application. Following refusal, the management committee have reviewed and reduced the scope of the project to reduce the cost. They are now in a position to go ahead with the project and expect work to start in the new year. All other funding is confirmed.
Name: |
Thruxton War Memorial Hall |
Consultation: |
The local member, Cllr. Patrick Pierce, has been consulted. |
Project: |
Purchase new stage system.. |
Priority: |
3 - final part of phased major refurbishment. |
Criteria: |
Building repairs, extensions and refurbishment. Equipment to improve buildings and increase usage. |
Links to Corporate Strategy: Equalities Assessment |
Improving buildings to enable local communities to access the services and facilities they need. This project will improve the facilities and extend their use to the community. Organisation defined as a Village Hall Trust. Users not classified. |
Cost: |
£10,985 |
General Reserves: |
£13,000 |
Project Reserves: |
£12,000 allocated to development project as agreed with Heritage Lottery Fund |
Statement: |
During a major refurbishment, the old stage was removed for health and safety reasons. The refurbishment project did not include the provision of a new stage which is needed to support many of the user groups as well as providing a venue for Hog the Limelight productions. |
Funding: |
Test Valley Borough Council - application made but no funds available at this time. Thruxton Parish Council - £500 allocated. |
Recommendation: |
£3,662 as one third of project cost. |
Name: |
Titchfield Community Association |
Consultation: |
The local member, Cllr. Diana Harrison, has been consulted. |
Project: |
Install fire alarm system, PA and sound system with induction loop, replace 25 chairs and install acoustic insulation in youth wing. |
Priority: |
2 - includes DDA work. |
Criteria: |
Building repairs, extensions and refurbishment. Health and safety issues. Equipment to improve buildings and increase usage. |
Links to Corporate Strategy: Equalities Assessment |
Improving buildings to enable local communities to access the services and facilities they need. This project will improve the facilities and extend their use to the community. Charitable objects contain an equalities statement. Users defined as General Public/Mankind |
Cost: |
£9,570 |
General Reserves: |
£40,000 (equates to less than 6 months of turnover) |
Project Reserves: |
£8,088 allocated to 3 phases of improvements, this being the first. |
Statement: |
The fire alarm system and replacement of the chairs in the Barleycorn Lounge are required urgently on health and safety grounds. The loop system and sound system will assist those with hearing difficulties and enable compliance with the Disability Discrimination Act. The acoustic work in the `Garage' youth wing will address a long standing problem in this area. |
Funding: |
Own funds - £3,190 Fareham Borough Council - application made for £3,190 Note. No Parish or Town council exists for this area. |
Recommendation: |
£3,190 as one third of project cost. |
Appendix 3
Organisations that have applied for and are eligible for funding but more information about their funding package is required
Name: |
Beech Village Hall |
Local Member: |
Cllr Anthony Ludlow |
Project: |
Demolish and replace existing building with new hall |
Priority: |
1 - Health and Safety |
Criteria: |
Building repairs, extensions and refurbishment (new building) |
Links to Corporate Strategy |
Improving buildings to enable local communities to access the services and facilities they need. This project will provide new facilities for the use of the community |
Cost: |
£746,000 |
General Reserves: |
£3,000 |
Project Reserves: |
£20,000 |
Statement: |
This project is needed to provide adequate meeting and recreational facilities within Beech as recommended in the village survey and analysis carried out in December 2002, and to ensure such facilities are compliant with the Disability Discrimination Act. |
Funding: |
East Hampshire District Council - £24,000 confirmed Beech Parish Council - £10,000 confirmed Own funds - £20,000 Lottery application - £300,000 (planned to be submitted in October 2004) Local fundraising - £266,000 Other sources - £100,000 |
Recommendation: |
£12,500 as 50% of combined district and parish council contribution subject to maximum funding limit. |
Notes - Date and status of lottery application to be confirmed
Name: |
Brockenhurst Village Hall |
Local Member: |
Cllr. Ken Thornber |
Project: |
Extend village hall to provide new stage, craft room and exhibition space. |
Priority: |
4 Non Priority |
Criteria: |
Building repairs, extensions and refurbishment. |
Links to Corporate Strategy |
Improving buildings to enable local communities to access the services and facilities they need. This project will improve the facilities and extend its use to the community |
Cost: |
£821,000 |
General Reserves: |
£112,500 |
Project Reserves: |
£160,000 for development of buildings other than the Village Hall held as restricted funds |
Statement: |
The aim of the project is to extend the village hall to enable the provision of a cultural and arts centre for both Brockenhurst and the surrounding area. |
Funding: |
New Forest District Council - application made - no amount specified Brockenhurst Parish Council - application made - £40,000 Arts Council - application made - £600,000 (decision not yet made) Additional applications made to 12 charitable trusts |
Recommendation: |
£12,500 as 50% of combined district and parish council contributions subject to maximum funding limit and confirmation |
Notes - Status of Arts Council bid to be confirmed
June - Arts council bid unsuccessful
August - application made to landfill tax fund
October - approximately £165,000 raised - scope of project now reduced to around £400,000.
October - £50,000 confirmed by landfill tax panel.
December - Current total raised £208,000 - awaiting decision from District Council
Name: |
Froyle Village Hall |
Local Member: |
Cllr Sir James Scott |
Project: |
Extend kitchen, refurbish toilet area and provide disabled toilets and accessible entrance |
Priority: |
2 - Disability Discrimination Act |
Criteria: |
Building repairs, extensions and refurbishment Health and Safety issues |
Links to Corporate Strategy |
Improving buildings to enable local communities to access the services and facilities they need. This project will improve the facilities and extend their use to the community |
Cost: |
£98,700 |
General Reserves: |
£28,000 |
Project Reserves: |
Nil |
Statement: |
Required to provide more space to cope with village events and provide disabled toilet to comply with Disability Discrimination Act. |
Funding: |
East Hampshire District Council - £15,000 applied for Froyle Parish Council - £5,000 confirmed Own funds - £10,000 Other donations - £8,000 Lottery - £45,700 applied for |
Recommendation: |
£10,000 as 50% of combined district and parish council contributions subject to confirmation. |
Note - October -lottery bid refused - scope of project being reduced
Will be re-applying with a reduced project
Name: |
Highclere Village Hall |
Local Member: |
Cllr John Wall |
Project: |
Refurbish hall to include: · Creation of disabled toilet · Improved access for elderly and disabled · Removal of all damp and noise pollution · Improved insulation · Enlarged floor area and seating capacity · Upgrading and updating of electrics
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Priority: |
2 - Disability Discrimination Act |
Criteria: |
Building repairs, extensions and refurbishment Health and Safety issues |
Links to Corporate Strategy |
Improving buildings to enable local communities to access the services and facilities they need. This project will improve the facilities and extend their use to the community |
Cost: |
£159,875 |
General Reserves: |
£18,023 |
Project Reserves: |
Nil |
Statement: |
These works were identified following local consultation and an access audit. |
Funding: |
Own funds - £20,000 Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council - £43,000 applied for Highclere Parish Council - £5,000 applied for Lottery application - £75,000 applied for Local donations - £6,875 |
Recommendation: |
£12,500 as 50% of combined contributions from district and parish councils subject to maximum limit and confirmation. |
Notes - Lottery application refused
Application being made to Landfill Tax Fund
Bas. & Deane BC - £18,000 confirmed from developers contributions
Name: |
Rockbourne Village Hall |
Local Member: |
Cllr Katherine Heron comments that this is a small village on the county border and consequently the precept is very small. She requests that a larger contribution be considered. |
Project: |
Extend and refurbish hall to provide new and accessible facilities including new meeting room, kitchen, storage and toilets. |
Priority: |
2 - Disability Discrimination Act |
Criteria: |
Building repairs, extensions and refurbishment |
Links to Corporate Strategy |
Improving buildings to enable local communities to access the services and facilities they need. This project will improve the facilities and extend their use to the community |
Cost: |
£150,000 |
General Reserves: |
£7,900 |
Project Reserves: |
Nil |
Statement: |
This work will particularly benefit older and disabled people living in Rockbourne which has poor public transport and no community transport scheme. |
Funding: |
Own funds - £8,150 New Forest District Council - £9,000 applied for Rockbourne Parish Council - £1,000 applied for Community Fund/DEFRA £127,350 applied for (response not expected before end of 2004) |
Notes: |
We have already contributed £500 in 2003/04 to a feasibility study. This study has also been supported by the Community Fund, district and parish councils. This application is for the main building project. |
Recommendation: |
50% of the combined district and parish council contributions to a maximum of £5,000 subject to confirmation (based on notified contributions) |
Note - Date and status of Community Fund/DEFRA bid to be confirmed
Name: |
Swanmore Methodist Church |
Local Member: |
Cllr Peter Mason |
Project: |
Demolish existing hall and replace with new hall. |
Priority: |
2 - DDA |
Criteria: |
Building repairs, extensions and refurbishment |
Links to Corporate Strategy: |
Improving buildings to enable local communities to access the services and facilities they need. This project will provide new facilities for the use of the community |
Cost: |
£481,000 |
General Reserves: |
Total church reserves £50,575 Declared free reserves £9,000 |
Project Reserves: |
Nil |
Statement: |
The existing premises require major work to rectify problems and as they are situated on three levels cannot comply with DDA. Health and safety standards cannot be fully met with existing facilities. Redevelopment will increase usable space and provide better facilities for the local community which has risen by some 30% over past 12 years. The current hall is used by a range of community groups including Swanmore pre-school, The Swanmore Society, Community Education Art Classes, Brownies, West End Choir. Additionally, the church itself provides a range of activities to support the community including free cinema sessions, mother and toddler group, ladies and mens groups and other activities for children. Local authority planning permission has been granted. |
Funding: |
Winchester City Council - £12,500 applied for with additional application to Community Chest fund. Swanmore Parish Council - application made - no amount specified. Other applications made to 18 charitable trusts. |
Name: |
Victoria Hall, Sutton Scotney |
Consultation: |
Cllr. Ann Bailey |
Project: |
Complete final phase of refurbishment by replacing south west store extension. |
Priority: |
3 - final phase of major refurbishment. |
Criteria: |
Building repairs, extensions and refurbishment. |
Links to Corporate Strategy: Equalities assessment |
Improving buildings to enable local communities to access the services and facilities they need. This project will improve the facilities and extend their use to the community. Charitable objects contain an equalities statement. Users defined as General Public/Mankind |
Cost: |
£43,786 |
General Reserves: |
No significant reserves are held as at 31/12/2003. |
Project Reserves: |
Nil |
Statement: |
This store has serious problems with roof leaks and the damp has permeated the structure. This project will completely rebuild this part of the building to complete the refurbishment. |
Funding: |
Own funding - £10,000 Winchester City Council - application made - no amount specified (decision March) Sutton Scotney Parish Council - application made - no amount specified. 2 further applications to be made to charitable trusts. |
Recommendation: |
50% of combined district and parish council contributions up to a maximum of £12,500. This allocation is to be deferred pending confirmation of Winchester City Council application. |
