Contact: Louise Pickford - Ext: 7355; e-mail: [email protected]

1 Summary

1.1 The Countryside Education Trust is a registered charity established in 1975 devoted to countryside and environmental education in all its varied forms. It has grown over the years in stature and scope to become an organisation running a residential centre, a field studies centre, a farm and a community programme. People, particularly children, come from all over the country, but mainly from Hampshire to take part in the activities and facilities which enable them to learn about, understand and care for the countryside.

1.2 Unfortunately, over the Christmas period a suspected arson attack destroyed the barn at the Out of Town Centre in Beaulieu, along with all its contents. The damage is expected to cost in the region of £22,500, as security and the surrounding land will need to be improved as well as disposing of various other materials including the remains of the roof, which contained asbestos.

2 Funding received from the County Council

2.1 Since 2000, the Trust has received the following "one-off" grants from the Policy and Resources budget:

20.10.00 - £5,000 - extension to building

9.7.01 - £2,000 - completion of phases 2 and 3 of refurbishment programme

6.11.02 - £2,000 - further contribution towards phase 3 of refurbishment programme

11.12.03 - £5,000 - producing a video for the Beaulieu Abbey 800th celebrations

2.2 In addition to this, the Trust also receives an annual sum (£45,300 in 2005/06) as revenue support from the Recreation and Heritage budget.

3 Comments of the Director of Recreation and Heritage:

3.1 I am supportive of this request. Help with rebuilding the barn is a worthy cause and I would recommend a grant of £5,000 is awarded on this occasion.

4 Corporate Strategy

4.1 This grant if awarded, would support Aims 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 of the Corporate Strategy (Maximising life opportunities, Stewardship of the environment, Achieving economic prosperity, Building strong and safe communities and improving services) of the Corporate Strategy.

RECOMMENDATION:

That a grant of £5,000 be made in 2005/06 to the Countryside Education Trust towards replacing its barn at the Out of Town Centre in Beaulieu.

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 excluded:

Published works.

Documents which disclose exempt or confidential information as defined in the Act.

TITLE FILE

Letters from organisations which Chief Executive's Department

applied for financial assistance

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