Contact: Louise Pickford - 01962 847355, e-mail: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 At the last Decision Day in July, a grant of £5,000 was agreed by the Executive Member for Policy and Resources to the Countryside Education Trust (CET) towards the New Forest Treehouse Study Centre project (see paragraph 4.1 below).

1.2 Since this award, the Trust has contacted the County Council asking to be considered for a capital grant to address the shortfall in funding the project, which currently stands at £225,000. A further sum would enable them to go ahead with the development this winter and open in spring 2008.

2. Recommendation

2.1 That a capital grant of £50,000 to the Countryside Education Trust in Beaulieu towards the New Forest Treehouse Study Centre project in financial years 2007/08 and 2008/09 be approved.

3. Background Information

3.1 The Countryside Education Trust's New Forest Study Centre is the home for many of its educational activities and where the majority of its classes are taught. Unfortunately, both these structures (second-hand when acquired) are now completely life-expired and severely dilapidated. The CET feels replacement buildings are long overdue as further repairs are no longer an option.

3.2 The new development will comprise of two treehouses, the first costing £82,000 and the other (larger) £179,000 both of which function as classrooms. The £655,000 project will also include toilet, office and storage facilities, infrastructure, linking bridges, car-parks, walkways and landscaping works.

4. Funding for the Project

4.1 So far the Trust has received monies from the following organisations:

· SEEDA - £52,000 towards development costs and pledged £180,000 towards construction

· National Park Authority - £22,000 towards Biomass boiler

· Dixon's Foundation - £20,000

4.2 Several other trusts have already contributed towards this project and an application has also been submitted to the Big Lottery Fund. This leaves the Trust with £225,000 to raise to finance the project.

5. Previous grants awarded from this budget

5.1 Since 1990, this organisation has received the following grants from this budget:

5.2 In addition to the above funding, the Trust receives an annual revenue grant from the County Council's Recreation and Heritage Department towards its running costs (£46,530 in 2007/08).

6. Comments of Officers and the local Member

6.1 The Director of Recreation and Heritage Department's Outdoor Activities Officer is supportive of this request from the Countryside Education Trust and believes there is no doubt this would be a good facility.

6.2 Chief Executive: Since opening, over 250,000 children have visited the Study Centre. Annually, nearly 2,000 children enjoy the residential experience and 8,000 are welcomed on its day programmes, many of them coming from disadvantaged groups. Awarding this additional sum of money would support all of the County Council's Corporate Priorities by making Hampshire safer and more secure for all, Maximising well-being and Enhancing our quality of place.

6.3 The local member, Councillor T.K. Thornber, CBE, supports this grant application.

OR

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 excludes:

Published works.

Documents which disclose exempt or confidential information as defined in the

Act.

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Letter from organisation requesting financial assistance Chief Executive's Department