Contact: Louise Pickford - 01962 847355; [email protected]

1 Summary

1.1 The under-mentioned organisations receive annual grants/subscriptions from the Policy and Resources budget which are subject to yearly review. For those umbrella type organisations the amounts recommended for 2008/09 allow for an increase of between 2.5 and 2.95% for inflation, in accordance with national recommended scales/or corporate assumptions. Where the grants are not related to any specific level of service, no increase has been made for inflation.

2 Recommendation:

That approval be given to annual grants/subscriptions being awarded from the 2008/09 budget to those voluntary organisations and other bodies listed below:-

3 Budget Position

3.1 The total amount of annual grants/subscriptions being recommended for approval in 2008/09 is £1,181,178 and can be accommodated within the budget.

3.2 These grants, if awarded, would support all of the County Council's Corporate Strategy priorities by making Hampshire safer & more secure for all, Maximising wellbeing and Enhancing our quality of place.

3.3 In line with the Council's duty to ensure value for money in the way grants are given a review has been undertaken of the core funding to Communities of Voluntary Services (CVS). The current funding arrangements are based on the minimum recommendations of the National Association for Voluntary and Community Action. The review has concluded there are a number of opportunities to improve value for money. Key projects have been identified which relate to improved efficiencies across the 12 CVS's and revision of the agreements to ensure that activities meet the latest corporate priorities. Action on these improvements is being agreed, therefore, it is recommended that the proposed funds are agreed and that progress on the recommendations are reported to the Executive Member for Policy and Resources in September 2008.

3.4 In awarding these grants the Executive Member for Policy and Resources has requested that the Chief Executive undertakes a short review to ensure that value for money is achieved in relation to the Citizens Advice Bureaux (CAB) and Community Action Hampshire.

Further information concerning the above organisations is attached as an Appendix to this report.

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:

1 Published works.

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

APPENDIX

EXECUTIVE MEMBER FOR POLICY AND RESOURCES

BODIES IN RECEIPT OF ANNUAL GRANTS

1& (2) Community Action Hampshire, District Councils of Community Service and

Volunteer Bureaux (awarded 1974)

Councils of Community Service promote, assist and co-ordinate the activities of voluntary groups in their areas. Community Action Hampshire acts as a forum for District CCS's and provides specialist support and services, particularly in the area of rural development. An annual workplan with Community Action, Hampshire defines outcomes and clarifies links with County Council services and funding. County Council grants are towards the costs of core activities of CCS's based on 1/3 of the National Association of Councils for Voluntary Services' recommended minimum budget for CCS's.

(3) Hampshire Citizens Advice Bureaux Consortium (awarded 1974)

The County Council assists the Hampshire Citizens Advice Bureaux Consortium through an annual grant rather than supporting each of the 24 offices throughout the County. The grant is directed at training and advice for Bureau counsellors, particularly in welfare rights and employment law.

(4) Hampshire Association of Local Councils

This annual grant was included with the Hampshire Councils of Community Service until 1994. The sum reflects all aspects of the Association's work, including training and accommodation.

(5) Victim Support HIOW (awarded 1991)

This organisation co-ordinates the efforts of each of the three District Victim Support Schemes. The annual contribution is part funding of a development officer responsible for ensuring consistency in provision of aid to victims, monitoring use of management and training resources, promotion of the recruitment of volunteers, etc,

Last year Victim Support HIOW received over 31,000 referrals (29,000 in Hampshire) to its Community and Witness programmes. With an enhanced service it is hoped this figure will rise to over 50,000 by the end of the 2008/09 financial year.

(6) Winchester Cathedral Trust (awarded 1986)

In 1986, the Policy and Resources Committee agreed to make an annual contribution towards the continuing restoration of the fabric of the building.

(7) Relate, Winchester (awarded 2000)

This grant is awarded towards Relate's annual rental costs.

(8) Friends of Winchester Cathedral

The County Council is a longstanding member of the Friends of Winchester Cathedral.

(9) Winchester Help Centre

This sum is in support of a number of organisations which may incur additional running costs as a direct result of their use of part of the Help Centre.

(10) St Mary's Music Foundation, Portsea (awarded 1992)

St Mary's Music Foundation was founded in 1991 to provide children and young people with the opportunity for musical education and training. It has been supported by the County Council since 1992 and helps towards the cost of an organ scholarship.

(11) The City of Winchester Trust (awarded 1998)

The Trust encourages landscape planning, planting and retention of trees and seeks to ensure that new developments complement the old in this ancient City.

(12) The National Trust (awarded 1998)

The National Trust provides valuable support to the County Council by helping to provide protection to the natural and built heritage of the County. Officer meetings take place regularly with representatives of the Trust on a variety of issues. This grant allows for two Corporate Memberships.

During last year, the Trust reviewed its charges for its corporate membership scheme and the current minimum cost is now set at £10,000. In view of this increase it is recommended the County Council withdraws from this scheme

(13) Country Land and Business Association (awarded 1979)

The County Council has been a corporate member of the Country Land and Business Association since 1979. The publications and services provided by the Association are an important resource in relation to the management of the County Council's land holdings, particularly the County Farms Estate.

(14) Use of Great Hall (awarded 2000)

The County Council sets aside a sum of money to help voluntary organisations towards the cost of using the Great Hall for their functions.