Hampshire County Council

Executive Member - Recreation and Heritage Item 9

11 March 2008

Partnership funding for the revenue and project costs of community associations

- 2008/09

Report of the Director of Recreation and Heritage

Contact: Margaret Plumridge, ext 6173 e-mail: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 The County Council, through its Recreation and Heritage Department, supports community associations that aim to provide the opportunity for local people to participate in recreational, educational, social, cultural and environmental activities within their local communities and to encourage local initiatives by people of all ages.

1.2 There are 104 community associations in Hampshire. In 2007/08 the county council provided project funding to 21 of these organisations. There are 2 organisations that are currently supported by the secondment of staff - Lymington Community Association and Leigh Park Community Association. Leigh Park is also supported with revenue funding and is included in the above.

2. Recommendation

2.1 That annual project support of £106,100 as summarised in Appendix 1, be approved.

3. Background

3.1 The application process

The first year of the pilot scheme as proposed in March 2007, has been completed and a review of the process that was in place in that first year has been undertaken. There have been some initial difficulties relating to the application process, mostly relating to the wording used on the application form. Consequently this process was changed to make it simpler to complete for the financial year 2008/09 and it also allows for some flexibility in the timing of the applications. The application process now covers the following topics :-

· The organisation's budgetary position

· The activities they are already providing

· Actions they are taking to improve the quality of their organisational structure

· Their project proposals for 2008/09.

3.2 The project activity in 2007/08

Some issues have arisen from the project delivery and reporting from the partner organisations in 2007/08. The project planning, and monitoring and evaluation reports were found to be sketchy. Consequently, the Community Support team have been working throughout 2007/08 with all the partner organisations to assist with these particular aspects of the scheme. Monitoring and evaluation training activity has also been put in place and all partner organisations are being encouraged to send someone to attend this activity.

Following discussions with a couple of the community associations it has been agreed to offer one year's funding to any partner organisation that would like to develop a new strategic business plan rather than develop new projects. The two community associations that are trialling this proposal in 2008/09 are Liss Community Association and Bishopstoke Community Association.

3.3 There are a number of organisations that are going to apply for funding at a later stage in the year. These are:

Alamein Community Association

Kingsley Centre

Leigh Park Community Association

Lyndhurst Community Association

Pilands Wood Community Association

Ringwood Community Association

Rowner Community Association

Sarisbury Community Association

Whitehill and Bordon Community Association

Winnall Community Association

4. Funding Criteria

The issue of developing fair and value for money funding criteria for this scheme as outlined in the Hampshire Compact has not yet been addressed. It is proposed that in 2008/09 a consultation is carried out outlining various options for the future funding strategy for this scheme and that a new funding policy be established which will operate from the financial year 2009/10.

5. Purpose of report

5.1 The purpose of this report is:

i) to provide details of requests for financial support from partnership organisations towards their revenue and project costs and report on 2007/08 project activity.

6. Legal Implications

6.1 The council has wide powers under Section 19 Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 to provide recreational facilities and to contribute by way of a grant or loan towards the expenses incurred by voluntary bodies in providing such facilities.

7. Recreation and Heritage Outcomes

7.1 By supporting these organisations in their project proposals and working in partnership with them, the Recreation and Heritage Department is able to meet the following outcomes:

· Increasing participation through the development of activities for older people to support their continued wellbeing.

· Increasing participation through the development of activities for children and young people that will help them lead positive lives.

· Increased participation through the development of physical activity programmes as part of the recommended regime of five 30 minute sessions a week of moderate intensity exercise.

· Increased access to information and services through ICT supported projects.

· Increased inclusion by extending activities to hard to reach, disadvantaged and black and minority ethnic groups.

8. Impact Assessment

8.1 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.

9 Finance

9.1 It is proposed that the sum of £163,500 is set aside from the 2008/09 revenue budget to meet requests from community associations to support their revenue and project costs. The requests in this report total £106,100. There will be an opportunity later in the financial year for other organisations to apply for funding. This has the advantage of making this scheme more flexible and more easily able to match the business planning processes of the organisations who wish to apply.

9.2 There are three new organisations that have been invited to apply for funding in 2008/09 - Colden Common Community Association, Alamein Community Association in Andover and Rowner Community Association in Gosport.

9.3 Proposals brought forward in this report (summarised in Appendix 1) amount in total to £106,100. A further sum of £18,000 in support of staff costs at Leigh Park Community Association is budgeted for separately.

10. Details of the applications

10.1 Appendix 1 is a summary of the funding proposals for 2008/09.

10.2 Appendix 2 contains individual reports received to date for each organisation summarising their funding applications. Each contains:-

· an indication of their current activity in the community

· details of the projects they proposed in 2007/08

· details of their project proposals for 2008/09

· details of their budgetary position in 2007/08.

.

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:

1. Published works

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

TITLE LOCATION

Applications for revenue support Community Support Section of the

Sport, Community and Outdoor Service, Mottisfont Court, Winchester

The Application pack

Appendix 1

Partnership funding 2008/09 first tranche - March 2008

Appendix 2

Community Association Alton Community Association

Local Member Councillor Ludlow

District East Hampshire

Own Activities

Playgroup Day Care Centre

Shopmobility Holiday Activities

Leisure Learning programme

Report on projects undertaken in 2007/08

Projects planned for 2008/09

· Consulting children and young people and developing activities

· Silver Surfers as a previous provider

· Extend discos for people with special needs

· Develop new activity class in Leisure Learning programme

Involvement in Extended Services -Providing IT drop in sessions

Finance - Income and Expenditure 2007/08

Expenditure £287,021

Income ( inclusive of grants) £289,788

Grants received in 2007

From district and local council £21,404

Other Grants £8,000

Recommendation £6,860

Community Association Bishopstoke Community Association

Local Member Councillor Roling

District Eastleigh

Own Activities

Provision of computer classes Art Group

Lunch club for over 50's Fete

Live band for under 16's

Report on projects undertaken in 2007/08

Projects planned for 2008/09

In 2008/09 the Community Association at Bishopstoke is intending to carry out a review of its activities and develop a 3 year plan for the Association and its activities.

Involvement in Extended Services None

Finance - Income and Expenditure 2007/08

Expenditure £19,160

Income ( inclusive of grants) £19,130

Grants received in 2007/08

District and local councils £1,229

HCC £8,820

Recommendation £8,820

Community Association Colden Common Community Association

Local Member Councillor Mason

District Winchester

Own Activities

Running a minibus Club 55 social group for older people

Fete Village Newsletter

Report on projects undertaken in 2007/08 - None as this is a new applicant.

Projects planned for 2008/09

Consulting with children and young people

Silver Surfers as a previous provider

Art project for older people

Supported ICT sessions

Involvement in Extended Services None

Finance - Income and Expenditure 2007/08

Expenditure £38,187

Income ( inclusive of grants) £40,610

Grants received in 2007/08 None

Recommendation £4,000

Community Association Denmead Community Association

Local Member Councillor Allgood

District Winchester

Own Activities

Children's Holiday Club Computer club for older people

Moviola cinema events Children's Christmas Card competition

Report on projects undertaken in 2007/08

Projects planned for 2008

Silver surfers as a new provider

Musical sessions for older people

Involvement in Extended Services None

Finance - Income and Expenditure 2007/08

Expenditure £55,782

Income ( inclusive of grants) £57,369

Grants received in 2007/08

Local Network Fund £7,250

HCC £2,000

Recommendation £2,000

Community Association Fordingbridge Community Association

Local Member Councillor Mrs Heron

District New Forest

Own Activities

Community Minibus Drop in centre

Rest centre Administrative Services

Planning a Youth centre

Report on projects undertaken in 2007/08

Projects planned for 2008/09

Consulting with children and young people and developing activities

Silver surfers as a previous provider

Develop a New Age Kurling Club

Involvement in Extended Services Yes - providing courses.

Finance - Income and Expenditure 2007/08

Expenditure £39,377

Income ( inclusive of grants) £33,355

Grants received in 2007/08

HCC £5,880

This organisation is in deficit

In order to manage this deficit the Association trustees have proposed the following strategy

· Tight cost controls

· Increasing hire bookings and usage

· Increased hire rates

Recommendation £5,880

Community Association Headley Down Community Association

Local Member Councillor James

District East Hampshire

Own Activities

The Association manage the following activities:

Pre-school Children's club

Youth club Computer class

Outreach facilities

Office facilities

Report on projects undertaken in 2007/08

Projects planned for 2008/09

Silver surfers as a previous provider

Local focus group

Research and provide community led group for older people

Create and maintain HDCA website

Involvement in Extended Services No

Finance - Income and Expenditure 2007/08

Expenditure £106,858

Income ( inclusive of grants) £123,783

Grants received in 2007/08

District and local council £16,000

Other £48,493

HCC £15,000

Recommendation £15,000

Community Association Horndean Community Association

Local Member Councillor Mrs Byrom

District East Hampshire

Own Activities

Representation on the under 10's forum Managing the over 55 club

Managing Minnows pre-school Managing Youth Drama activities

Managing elders club Managing Hats( amateur drama group)

Fencing club

Report on projects undertaken in 2007/08

Projects planned for 2008/09

Consulting with children and young people and developing activities

Holding a local focus group

Finance - Income and Expenditure 2007/08

Expenditure £181,255

Income ( inclusive of grants) £182,356

Grants received in 2007/08

District and Local council £21,000

Other £41,251

Management Fees £24,036

HCC £5,800

Recommendation £5,880

Community Association Liss Community Association

Local Member Councillor Cartwright

District East Hampshire

Own Activities

Organising social activities at low cost Providing children's activities

Report on projects undertaken in 2007/08

Projects planned for 2008/09

In 2008 the Community Association at Liss is intending to carry out a review of its activities and develop a new 3 year plan for the Association and its activities

Finance - Income and Expenditure 2007/08

Expenditure £80,496

Income ( inclusive of grants) £75,588

Grants received in 2007

District and Local council £8,000

Other £2,725

HCC £3,500

This organisation is currently running at a deficit

In order to manage the deficit the Association trustees have proposed the following strategy

· Reducing hours of Manager

· Hold a funding appeal in the village

· Defer refurbishment works

Recommendation £3,500

Community Association Overton Community Association

Local Member Councillor Mrs McNair Scott

District Basingstoke and Deane

Own Activities

Launching start up activities

Report on projects undertaken in 2007/08

Projects planned for 2008/09

Develop older person's music project

Silver surfers as a previous provider

Develop handicraft classes

Finance - Income and Expenditure 2007/08

Expenditure £17,916

Income ( inclusive of grants) £22,545

Grants received in 2007/08

HCC £5,880

Recommendation £5,880

Community Association Phoenix Community Association ( Pilgrims Way) Andover

Local Member Councillor Hughes

District Test Valley

Own Activities

Young peoples club Over 55's club

Toddler Group

Report on projects undertaken in 2007/08

Projects planned for 2008/09

Develop an older person's music project

Silver surfers as a previous provider

Finance - Income and Expenditure 2007/08

Expenditure £17,916

Income ( inclusive of grants) £22,545

Grants received in 2007/08

Test Valley £5,250

HCC £7,840

Recommendation £7,840

Community Association Portchester Community Association

Local Member Councillor Price

District Fareham

Own Activities

Managing a Pre school Managing a Youth club

Portchester Players Paradise in Portchester and associated activities

Parent and Toddler group Badminton Club

Report on projects undertaken in 2007/08

Projects planned for 2008/09

Consulting with children and young people

Developing older person's music project

Silver surfers as a previous participant

Local focus group

ICT increasing access

Youth volunteering project

Finance - Income and Expenditure 2007/08

Expenditure £93,730

Income ( inclusive of grants) £110,433

Grants received in 2007/08 £16,400

HCC £11,760

Recommendation £11,760

Community Association Springwood Community Partnership

Local Member Councillor Beagley

District Havant

Own Activities

Managing a lunch club Managing a breakfast club

Young person's dance group Young people's consultation activity

Report on projects undertaken in 2007/08

Projects planned for 2008/09

Developing an older person's music project

Employment of an older person's worker

Finance - Income and Expenditure 2007/08

Expenditure £48,263

Income ( inclusive of grants) £50,233

Grants received in 2007/08

Havant BC and LNF £11,033

HCC £7,840

Recommendation £7,840

Community Association Wecock Community Association

Local Member Councillor J West

District Havant

Own Activities

Managing a café and charity shop to enable people with limited skills to return to work

Organising a programme of courses in order to develop skills

Report on projects undertaken in 2007/08

Projects planned for 2008/09

Developing an older persons music project

Silver surfers as a previous provider

Local focus group

Newsletter ICT course

Finance - Income and Expenditure 2007/08

Expenditure £86,250

Income ( inclusive of grants) £77,630

Grants received in 2007/08

District council £1,500

LNF £6,500

HCC £13,000

This organisation is currently running at a deficit

In order to manage the deficit the Association trustees have proposed the following strategy

· Making further funding applications

· Keeping costs as low as possible

Recommendation £13,000

Community Association Wickham Community Association

Local Member Councillor Allgood

District Winchester

Own Activities

After school club IT support services

Report on projects undertaken in 2007/08

Projects planned for 2008/09

Consulting with children and young people and developing activities

Developing an older persons music project

Local focus group

Developing a residents information centre

Finance - Income and Expenditure 2007/08

Expenditure £107,195

Income ( inclusive of grants) £96,680

Grants received in 2007/08

HCC £7,840

Recommendation £7,840