REPORT OF THE

EXECUTIVE MEMBER

Recreation and Heritage

PART II

COMMUNITY BUILDINGS FUND 2005/06.

1. The County Council works in partnership with specific community organisations, in particular the community associations and village hall committees, seeking 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.

2. The County Council has wide powers to provide recreational facilities and to

contribute by way of a grant or loan towards expenses incurred by voluntary bodies in providing facilities. Those organisations which are defined as accessible to all members of the community and have this embodied within the charitable objectives of their constitution, may apply to the fund.

3. A total of £150,000 has been set aside from the Recreation and Heritage Capital

Programme to fund allocations during 2005/06.

4. Partnership funding from the Community Buildings Fund enables the community sector to maintain the quality of Hampshire's cultural assets, such as the village halls and community association buildings, some of which have listed status. 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.