GRANTS TO VOLUNTARY BODIES 2006/07

1. Adult Services budget for grants to voluntary organisations in 2006/07 has been set at £550,000 which compares with a projected spend of £684,000 on these grants for 2005/06. The Adult Services Department proposes to spend some £41.2m in total with the voluntary sector in 2006/07 - the other elements being £40.4m to purchase services under contract arrangements and £250,000 special grants supported by Central Government for HIV/AIDS services and Learning Disability Services.

2. In accordance with the outcome of the corporate Best Value Review of support to the voluntary sector, Community Voluntary and Organisations are informed of the County Council's grant programmes and the Adult Services grant programme is advertised through the corporate website.. Every opportunity is therefore given for organisations not previously funded to make an application. Organisations that received recurring grants in previous years are invited to apply.

3. A voluntary organisation may be considered for grant aid from Adult Services only if its services, projects or activities are in compliance with the aims and objectives, priorities and policies of the Adult Services Department and if it submits an application form with appropriate documentation. Grants are for services which would not normally be provided by the department but which accord with various government initiatives, e.g. information services for older people in line with the National Service Framework. Many services would also be more expensive if provided by the Department, e.g. the mobilisation of community resources to help vulnerable people maintain their independence (Hampshire Voluntary Care Groups Advisory Service) and supported employment services (Cherry Tree Nursery).

4. Approval of less than £5,000 is delegated to designated officers.

5. Grants of £5,000 or more are approved by the Executive Member. To date the following grants have been made:

6. This supports Aims 1, 3 , 4 and 5 of the Corporate Strategy by giving grants to voluntary and community organisations that deliver services to vulnerable adults and older people, allowing organisations to deliver services to Adult Services' client groups, delivering preventative services and allowing opportunities for volunteering and the grants also fund information and advice, advocacy and campaigning