Hampshire County Council

Executive Member - Recreation and Heritage Item 11

20 January 2005

Partnership Funding to Voluntary Bodies and other organisations 2004/05 - Sports Development

Report of the Director of Recreation and Heritage

Contact: Julie Amies ext 6029

1. Introduction

1.1 This report considers a recommendation from Pitt Street Regional Gymnastics Centre's Joint Management Committee to jointly fund the 2003/04 deficit of £1205.44 with Portsmouth City Council.

2. Background

2.1 The Pitt Street Regional Gymnastics Centre has been successfully operating for over 10 years. The costs of running this centre have been met on a 50:50 basis with Portsmouth City Council. Last year, an unexpected deficit of £6, 175 occurred due mainly to maternity costs, the need to pay staff where previously coaches had provided their time on a voluntary basis and the above inflation increases to National Insurance and insurance costs.

2.2 At the Joint Management Committee in July 2004, it was agreed that the deficit would be funded through a £4,969.56 contribution from the renewals fund and the balance of £1,205.44 through an additional grant from the County and City Council's. Before the County Council agreed to make its contribution, it wanted to ensure that measures were put in place to ensure that the rising costs were being properly accounted for and met within the budget set.

2.3 A meeting of officers from the City and County Council as well as the management operators on Friday 17 December has confirmed that the Centre is operating well within the budget now. This is due to a number of factors but significantly, the management team has increased participation which has led to increased income.

2.4 Given this encouraging news, it is recommended that the County Council support the Joint Management Committee's recommendation and make an additional payment of £600 to enable last year's budget to balance.

3. Financial Implications

3.1 The 2004/05 budget for partnership funding is £178,000. Decisions amounting to £150,656 on 13 May and £8,500 on 16 September have reduced the available budget to £18,844. Of this sum £7,500 is held uncommitted to support the overall departmental budget position. The recommendation contained in this report can be met from the available balance of £11,344.

3.2 A `one-off' amount of £600 partnership funding is recommended and set out in Appendix 1. If approved, £10,744 would remain available for allocation later in the year.

4. Legal Implications

4.1 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 loans towards expenses incurred by voluntary bodies in providing such facilities.

5. Impact Assessment

5.1 Race and equality impact assessment has been considered in the assessment of this application. No adverse impact has been identified.

5. Recommendation

That `one-off ' partnership funding of £600 be allocated to The Pitt Street Regional Gymnastics Centre.

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

Appendix 1