Contact: Margaret Plumridge, ext 6173
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Hampshire County Council |
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Executive Member - Recreation and Heritage |
Item 10 |
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17 March 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 of the 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.
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.
2.5 Appendix 4 contains a review of this grants scheme for the year 2004/05. It is clear from this that the Disability Discrimination Act is still having a major impact on this programme
2. Finance
2.1 In summary the value of decisions taken in the financial year 2004/05 is as follows:
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£ |
13 May 2004 |
60,755 |
1 July |
42,520 |
23 July |
3,500 (Exec member P&R) |
16 September |
42,149 |
18 November |
6,033 |
20 January 2005 |
25,452 |
17 March |
22,648 (proposed) |
Total |
203,057 |
These have been met from:
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£ |
Original capital programme allocation |
150,000 |
Balance of annual revenue support budget |
1,828 |
Past allocations not required |
24,433 |
Staff vacancies and training underspend |
26,796 |
Total |
203,057 |
Recommendations
The following decision is sought:
i) that partnership funding totalling £22,648 be approved for allocation from the Community Buildings Fund as listed below:
Hall/Centre |
District |
£ |
Catherington Village Hall |
East Hampshire |
10,910 |
Emsworth Community Association |
Havant |
380 |
Kingsley Centre |
East Hampshire |
1,083 |
Ridley Hall, South Warnborough |
Hart |
5,775 |
Victoria Hall, Sutton Scotney |
Winchester |
4,500 |
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Total |
22,648 |
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 |
£ |
Kingsley Centre |
East Hampshire |
1,083 |
Total |
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1,083 |
Priority 2 Disability Discrimination Act
Hall/Centre |
District |
£ |
Catherington Village Hall |
East Hampshire |
10,910 |
Ridley Hall, South Warnborough |
Hart |
5,775 |
Total |
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16,685 |
Priority 3 Phased Development
Hall/Centre |
District |
£ |
Victoria Hall, Sutton Scotney |
Winchester |
4,500 |
Total |
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4,500 |
Priority 4 Applications for General Improvement Works
Hall/Centre |
District |
£ |
Emsworth Community Association |
Havant |
380 |
Total |
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380 |
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 |
Total |
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53,750 |
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Name: |
Catherington Village Hall |
Consultation: |
Cllr. Eunice Byrom |
Project: |
Extension to hall to provide accessible entrance to comply with Disability Discrimination Act. |
Priority: |
2 - DDA |
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: |
£43,641 |
General Reserves: |
£23,000 |
Project Reserves: |
Nil |
Statement: |
The work is necessary to comply with DDA regulations, allow internal access for people waiting to collect children, extra storage and general improvement of hall. |
Funding: |
Own funds - £10,910 East Hampshire District Council - £14,844 applied for Horndean Parish Council - £6,977 applied for |
Recommendation: |
50% of combined District and Parish Council contributions to a maximum of £10,910 (subject to confirmation) |
Name: |
Emsworth Community Association |
Consultation: |
Cllr. David Gillett |
Project: |
Purchase 20 lightweight tables |
Priority: |
4 - non priority |
Criteria: |
Equipment to improve the building and increase usage 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: |
£1,140 |
General Reserves: |
£18,000 |
Project Reserves: |
Nil |
Statement: |
Existing tables are heavy and damaged and constitute a health and safety risk - new tables will be more suitable for handling. |
Funding: |
Own funds - £760 |
Recommendation: |
£380 as one third of project cost. |
Name: |
Kingsley Centre |
Consultation |
Cllr. John Filer |
Project: |
Repairs to roof over porch |
Priority: |
1 - Health and Safety |
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 Constituted as an organisation providing a centre for disabled persons. Users defined as disability/special needs, general public/mankind. |
Cost: |
£3,250 |
General Reserves: |
Nil stated but accounts show £67,263 as at 31/12/2003. Reserves policy states that historically the organisation has sought to maximise the productivity of any available finance by holding minimal if not zero reserves. |
Project Reserves: |
Nil |
Statement: |
Tiles are loose and falling off the roof which has resulted in complaints from users. This is an urgent health and safety issue. |
Funding: |
No applications have been made to other sources and no own funds have been allocated at this time. |
Recommendation: |
£1,083 as one third of project cost |
Name: |
The Ridley Hall, South Warnborough |
Consultation: |
Cllr. Carol Leversha |
Project: |
Install WC, access and emergency exit to comply with Disability Discrimination Act, storage, update kitchen and replace roof over services area with pitched roof. |
Priority: |
2 - DDA |
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 defined as general public/mankind. |
Cost: |
£49,223 |
General Reserves: |
£3,000 |
Project Reserves: |
£18,000 for this project |
Statement: |
This project will refurbish a well supported village hall which has been little updated since it was built. It is also planned that the new pitched roof will allow for accommodation for a caretaker and to raise income for the future. |
Funding: |
Own funds - £18,000 Hart District Council - £10,000 confirmed South Warnborough Parish Council - £1,550 confirmed |
Recommendation: |
50% of combined District and Parish Council contributions to a maximum of £5,775 (subject to confirmation) |
Name: |
Victoria Hall, Sutton Scotney |
Consultation: |
Cllr. Ann Bailey |
Project: |
Final phase of major renovation - replace southwest storage area. |
Priority: |
3 - phased development |
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 Children/Young people, Elderly/Old People, People with a disability/Special Needs, General public/Mankind |
Cost: |
£43,786 |
General Reserves: |
Negligible (as at 31/12/2003) |
Project Reserves: |
Nil |
Statement: |
The storage area is the last part of this renovation. It currently has a leaking roof and is damp. This work will bring it up to the same condition as the rest of the building. |
Funding: |
Own - £10,000 (through income and fundraising plus the committee has access to an interest free loan if needed) Winchester City Council - £6,000 confirmed Wonston Parish Council - £3,000 confirmed Charitable trusts - applications made - £3,000 |
Recommendation: |
50% of combined District & Parish Council contributions to a maximum of £4,500. |
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 - Confirmed £10,000 in 2005/06, £10,000 in 2006/07 Swanmore Parish Council - application made - no amount specified. Other applications made to 18 charitable trusts. |
