Contact: Stuart Dorward ext 6110 e-mail: [email protected]

1 Introduction

1.1 This report sets out proposals for allocations to schemes within the Recreation and Heritage capital programme. Because of uncertainties over the total level of capital resources available, the report recommends that allocations are made only to the main recurring elements of the programme for 2005/06 and to known commitments.

2 Background

2.1 Proposals for the Recreation and Heritage capital programme for the four years 2005/06 to 2008/09 were considered by the Policy Review Committee and approved by the Executive Member on 20 January. The programme was set at the Cabinet guideline limits for each year, but a request was made to the Executive Member - Policy and Resources to approve the retention by Recreation and Heritage of 100% of the capital receipts from the sale of three identified properties to supplement the 2005/06 programme. The estimated value of these receipts is £600,000.

2.2 The Recreation and Heritage capital programme approved by Council on 23 February included an additional allocation to the original guideline for 2005/06 of £600,000 to reflect the use of capital receipts. The programme limit for 2005/06 was also adjusted to include the full value of the Winchester Cultural Centre project by transferring other earmarked funding from Policy and Resources. The annual guideline limits for the Recreation and Heritage capital programme over the next four years are now as follows:

2.3 Other than the funding earmarked for the Winchester Cultural Centre, no specific allocations to schemes were made in the proposals considered by members in January, pending the outcome of the recommendation to the Executive Member - Policy and Resources on the retention of 100% of capital receipts. A provisional allocation of £200,000 of these receipts to a further phase of library refurbishments was also made. The remainder of this report deals with further allocations within the 2005/06 programme. Consideration will be given to the forward programme later in the year in the context of an overall review of the County Council's capital resources.

3 2005/06 Programme

3.1 Although the final guideline has been fixed there are still a number of uncertainties around the total resources available in 2005/06. The programme limit for 2005/06 will have to be adjusted to take account of variations from the assumed level of capital receipts in 2004/05 and any underspending or overspending on schemes started in 2004/05 or earlier years. These will be considered when the final accounts for 2004/05 are reported later in the year. Because of these uncertainties, it is proposed that further allocations are made only to the main recurring elements of the programme and to known commitments at this stage. The proposed allocations are summarised in the Appendix to this report.

3.2 The programme now includes the full allocation of the funding available for the Winchester Cultural Centre scheme (£7.3 million). It also confirms the allocation of £200,000 to continue the Discovery Centre/library refurbishment programme for another year. In the first instance this allocation will have to meet the cost of any follow up work or funding shortfalls on existing schemes.

3.3 For some time the Recreation and Heritage capital programme has included annual allocations for countryside and rights of way improvements and for grants to support the development and improvement of community buildings and village halls. It is proposed to continue these elements of the programme in 2005/06 at the currently established level (£300,000 for countryside and rights of way improvements; £200,000 for community buildings and village halls).

3.4 Previous commitments have been given by the Executive Member to provide funding for two specific schemes. At the Decision Day in January this year the Executive Member agreed to defer from 2004/05 to 2005/06 a previously agreed grant of £40,000 to the Leigh Park Craft Initiative to allow a capital grant to be made to ArtSway in 2004/05. At the same meeting the Executive Member approved proposals for a new bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund for developments at Staunton Country Park. If the Stage 1 application is successful, match funding of £13,000 will be required in 2005/06.

3.5 A report elsewhere on the agenda sets out proposals for a new extension to the Outdoor Activities Centre at Argoed Lwyd in the Brecon Beacons. If approved a contribution of £65,000 would be required from the Recreation and Heritage 2005/06 capital programme.

3.6 This leaves a total of £224,000 unallocated for the year. Detailed proposals on the use of this will be made to the Executive Member when the final position on the guidelines is known and based on priorities identified in the Recreation and Heritage Department's service plan. In framing these proposals, account will be taken of the following factors:

· the need to allocate appropriate resources to meet legal obligations under Health and Safety and disability discrimination legislation

· keeping an appropriate balance between maintaining the condition and value of existing assets and investing in new developments

· "pump priming" efficiency improvements

· the need to maintain some contingency to support emerging priorities and unforeseen requirements.

Recommendations

To the Policy Review Committee:

That the proposals for allocations within the overall Recreation and Heritage capital programme for 2005/06 set out in the Appendix to the report be supported and submitted to the Executive Member - Recreation and Heritage for approval.

To the Executive Member:

That the proposals for allocations within the overall Recreation and Heritage capital programme for 2005/06 set out in the Appendix to the report be approved.

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.

TITLE LOCATION

Appendix

Recreation and Heritage Capital Programme 2005/06