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1 Summary

1.1 This report brings forward a proposal to repeat the very successful Good Neighbour Award Scheme which was launched last year and concluded with an award ceremony in the Great Hall in March 2005. The proposal, should it be approved, would be supportive of aims 1 and 4 of the Corporate Strategy - Maximising Life Opportunities and Building Strong Communities, a factor which could be readily gleaned from the responses from participants at the award ceremony in March.

2 Background

2.1 The first Good Neighbour Award Scheme evolved from the Corporate Group set up as a result of the Cabinet's decision in 2003 to focus on four key priorities for action, one of which related to Older People. The Executive Member for Policy and Resources gave consideration to this proposal and approved it at his Decision Day on 15 September 2004. There then followed a launch of the Scheme with publicity for it being given in the Autumn 2004 edition of Hampshire Now. This, together with the close collaboration of the Hampshire Voluntary Care Group Advisory Service, resulted in significant publicity being given for the work of the voluntary community in Hampshire for Older People.

2.2 The award ceremony held in the Great Hall in March 2005, with presentations made by the Leader of the Council, was also considered to be a great success. Feedback from recipients of awards and others at the ceremony was extremely positive and it was followed by significant local press reporting throughout the County on the awards received and the good work being undertaken by otherwise largely unsung volunteers. It is also worth mentioning that as a result of the publicity, the Hampshire Voluntary Care Group Advisory Service received requests for information about how members of the public could themselves become volunteers.

3 Proposals for the Good Neighbour Award Scheme 2006

3.3 It is proposed to build upon the success of the 2005 Award Scheme by largely repeating the same format but by extending the range and variety of the voluntary bodies to be directly involved in the formulation of the Scheme and its promotion to the wider public. As already mentioned, last year's Scheme proceeded with the enthusiastic cooperation of the Hampshire Voluntary Care Group Advisory Service and after discussion with them, it has been agreed that the County Council should also seek to involve Age Concern Hampshire, Help the Aged, Club Hampshire for 50+, WRVS Hampshire and Women's Institute. A preliminary meeting with these organisations was held on 13 September 2005 and it is likely that the County Council will be able to proceed with the active involvement of these organisations. This should help to assist with the further promotion and success of the Award Scheme.

3.4 For last year's Scheme there were three categories of award winners:-

(i) Volunteers who provide a direct service to Older People;

(ii) Volunteer Coordinators who coordinate the work of others in providing a service to Older People; and

(iii) Groups of volunteers which it is considered provide enhanced added value to their local community.

One of the aspects discussed at the meeting with the voluntary organisations was whether or not three such categories were needed or whether concentration should be given solely to identifying those individuals who provided direct services to the older community. It is suggested, therefore, that the Head of Corporate and Legal Services be given discretion to agree the formal categories of award winners after consultation with the voluntary organisations to ensure that the Award Scheme can proceed in accordance with the required timetable.

3.5 As far as the timetable of events is concerned, this will largely follow that which applied last year. This will involve an article in Hampshire Now in the Autumn edition which will publicise the Scheme and also ask for nominations. Close of nominations would be at the end of December 2005 and a small selection panel would be formed to consider the nominations and decide upon those which are successful. It is suggested that the Group should contain representatives from the voluntary organisations, Councillor Mrs Banks and officers from the County Council, to be determined by the Head of Corporate and Legal Services.

3.6 Once again, it is hoped that the award ceremony itself would follow a similar format to the previous one with it taking place in the Great Hall and with presentations being made by the Leader of the Council, assisted perhaps by a representative from the voluntary organisations. The award itself would be of a commemorative gift and perhaps a certificate of achievement.

3 Cost of the proposal

4.1 On the basis of the cost of the 2005 Award Scheme, it is estimated that the costs for the reception and commemorative gifts for the 2006 Award Scheme should not exceed £5,000. Last year the Social Services Department made a contribution towards this of just under £1,000 and it is anticipated that they would be prepared to make a similar contribution this year. For last year's Award Scheme the balance of funding, that is for the cost of the reception itself, were met from the Leader's Corporate Entertainment Budget. It is suggested that the same should apply for the 2006 Award Scheme.

4 Conclusion

4.1 This report proposes a repeat of the highly successful 2005 Good Neighbour Award Scheme with the aim of giving public recognition to all those volunteers working within Hampshire who do so much good work for the older community. It will, therefore, give the County Council the opportunity, supported by the other voluntary organisations associated with the Scheme, to place on record its appreciation for all those volunteers who by carrying out work for their older neighbours, helps to ensure that they can live longer and more happily within their own home environment.

5 Recommendation

That the Executive Member for Policy and Resources approves the principles of the Good Neighbour Award Scheme contained within this report and agrees to make a provision of up to £5,000 towards the costs of the Scheme from the Corporate Entertainment Budget.

Section 100D - 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

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