Contact: Margaret Plumridge, ext 6173
|
|
|
|
|
Hampshire County Council |
|
Executive Member - Recreation and Heritage |
Item 5 |
|
19 January 2006 |
|
|
Community Buildings Fund - 2005/06 |
|
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.
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. Financial Position
2.1 On 17 March 2005 £150,000 was set aside from the 2005/06 capital programme for Recreation and Heritage to fund applications that meet the criteria during this financial year. A further £50,000 was allocated from available capital programme resources in December 2005. Partnership funding approved in this financial year so far totals £178,133. The proposals in this report amount to £21,234 and, if agreed, would leave a balance of £633 remaining for allocation in March 2006.
3. Legal Implications
4.1 The Council has wide powers under Section 19 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.
5. Corporate Strategy
5.1 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.
5.2 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.
6. Impact Assessment
6.1 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.
Recommendations
The following decision is sought:
i) that partnership funding totalling £21,234 be approved for allocation from the Community Buildings Fund for 2005/06 as listed below:
Hall/Centre |
District |
£ |
Bramley Village Hall |
Basingstoke & Deane |
2,333 |
Denmead Community Association |
Winchester |
677 |
Logos Community Church |
Gosport |
4,094 |
Rockbourne Village Hall |
New Forest |
12,500 |
Wickham Community Association |
Winchester |
1,630 |
|
Total |
£21,234 |
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 |
£ |
Bramley Village Hall |
Basingstoke & Deane |
2,333 |
Denmead Community Association |
Winchester |
677 |
Total |
|
£3,010 |
Priority 2 Disability Discrimination Act
Hall/Centre |
District |
£ |
Rockbourne Village Hall |
New Forest |
12,500 |
Total |
|
£12,500 |
Priority 3 Phased Development
Hall/Centre |
District |
£ |
Logos Community Church |
Gosport |
4,094 |
Total |
|
£4,094 |
Priority 4 Applications for General Improvement Works
Hall/Centre |
District |
£ |
Wickham Community Association |
Winchester |
1,630 |
Total |
|
£1,630 |
Applications awaiting further information on their funding package:
Hall/ Centre |
District |
£ |
Priority |
All Saints Church, Botley |
Eastleigh |
Not known |
4 |
Beech Village Hall |
East Hampshire |
12,500 |
1 |
Total |
|
12,500 |
|
Name: |
Bramley Village Hall |
Consultation: |
The local member, Cllr. Keith Chapman, has been consulted and he supports this application. |
Project: |
Electrical upgrade, storage cupboards and landscaping to car park |
Priority: |
1 - Health & Safety in respect of electrical works |
Criteria: |
Building repairs, extensions and refurbishments 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. Organisation defined as a Village Hall- no equalities statement included. Users defined as Children/Young people, Elderly/Old People, People with a disability/Special Needs, General public/Mankind |
Cost: |
£7,000 |
General Reserves: |
£2,000 declared - Accounts show approximately £24,000 free reserves as at 31 March 2005. However, a building project has been in progress during 2005 which may have depleted current reserves. |
Project Reserves: |
Nil |
Statement: |
A recent electrical inspection identified works needed in the old hall to bring it up to current legislation standards. New storage cupboards are required for users. Following completion of the new extension there is a need to remove surplus soil and landscape the area to improve the car parking. |
Funding: |
Own funds - non designated Bramley Parish Council - £6,000 applied for (decision 19 December) Advised to apply to Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council. |
Recommendation: |
£2,333 as one third of project cost |
Name: |
Denmead Community Association |
Consultation: |
The local member, Cllr. Fred Allgood, has been consulted and he supports this application. |
Project: |
Repair and strengthen car park area |
Priority: |
1 - Health & Safety |
Criteria: |
Building repairs, extensions and refurbishments 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. Organisation defined as a Community Association - equalities statement included. Users defined as Children/Young people, Elderly/Old People, General public/Mankind |
Cost: |
£2,032 |
General Reserves: |
£12,899 |
Project Reserves: |
£677.58 designated to this project |
Statement: |
The old school playground was not designed to cope with heavy vehicular traffic and has consequently resulted in the break up of the surface. Repair is necessary to prevent the area becoming a health & safety issues and the loss of car parking. |
Funding: |
Own funds - £677 Denmead Parish Council - £677 applied for (decision January) |
Recommendation: |
£677 as one third of project cost |
Name: |
Logos Community Church |
Consultation: |
The local member, Cllr. Dennis Wright, has been consulted. In supporting this application he points out that this organisation does a lot of work in the local area supporting the under privileged. |
Project: |
Phase 2 of development project consisting of new flooring, install plumbing and heating and disabled toilets. |
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. Organisation defined as a Church. |
Cost: |
£12,281 |
General Reserves: |
£28,233 |
Project Reserves: |
£127,113 designated to full phased project. |
Statement: |
Redesign of the building will increase flexibility of use, replace old and outdated fabric and materials and improve the aesthetic quality of the site. |
Funding: |
Own funds - £127,113 to whole project Gosport Borough Council - application made - no amount specified |
Notes |
This is a multi-use building used by the community during weekdays and as a Church at weekends. Community activities include Mother & Toddler group, senior citizens groups, youth group, dance group and social events. |
Recommendation: |
£4,094 as one third of project cost |
Name: |
Rockbourne Village Hall |
Consultation: |
Cllr Katherine Heron comments that this is a small village on the county border and the parish precept is very small. She requests that a larger contribution be considered. (Note - contribution has now been increased to the maximum as a result of higher committed funds from New Forest District Council) |
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 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 with equalities statement included. Users defined as General public/Mankind |
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 - £24,000 confirmed Rockbourne Parish Council - £1,000 confirmed Community Fund/DEFRA - £127,350 confirmed |
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. Lottery funding has now been confirmed. |
Recommendation: |
50% of the combined district and parish council contributions to a maximum of £12,500 subject to confirmation |
Name: |
Wickham Community Association |
Consultation: |
The local member, Cllr. Fred Allgood, has been consulted and he supports this application. |
Project: |
Repairs to building end wall |
Priority: |
4 - non -priority |
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 Community Association with an inclusive equalities statement. Users defined as Children/Young people, Elderly/Old People, Other charities/Voluntary bodies,
General public/Mankind. |
Cost: |
£4,891 |
General Reserves: |
None declared , however accounts as at 31 January 2005 show free reserves of approx £12,000 |
Project Reserves: |
£1,030 have been designated to this project |
Statement: |
The north wall has been extensively damaged by vandalism. Whilst new CCTV has stopped the vandalism, the wall requires repairs to prevent water ingress and potential structural damage occurring. |
Funding: |
Own funds - £1,030 Wickham Parish Council - £600 applied for (decision January) Winchester City Council - £1,630 applied for (decision January) |
Recommendation: |
£1,630 as one third of project cost |
Appendix 3
Organisations that have applied for and are eligible for funding but more information about their funding package is required
Name: |
All Saints Church, Botley |
Local Member: |
Cllr. Derek Blampied |
Project: |
Extension to church including reception area, toilets including disabled, kitchenette, meeting rooms and storage. |
Priority: |
4 - non-priority |
Criteria: |
Building repairs, extensions and refurbishment. Equipment to improve the buildings and increase usage. |
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 Church. |
Cost: |
£532,000 |
General Reserves: |
£40,000 |
Project Reserves: |
£285,000 for this project |
Statement: |
The church building provides a meeting space for various village groups but is currently oversubscribed. The Parochial Church Council has undertaken research into village needs and a range of community uses have been planned in conjunction with Hampshire Libraries and Information Service and Eastleigh Borough Council. |
Funding: |
Eastleigh Borough Council - application being made. Own Funds - £285,000 Various other applications are being made. |
Recommendation: |
Allocation of funding to be deferred pending information on Borough Council application and additional funding sources. |
Name: |
Beech Village Hall |
Local Member: |
Cllr Mark Kemp-Gee |
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
