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

1. Summary

1.1 This report shows details of grant requests which are to be considered from the Policy and Resources grants budget.

Recommendations:

a) That decisions on the requests from voluntary organisations and other bodies outlined in the attached schedule to this report be approved

b) That no grant be awarded to Jessica Batchelor of Upper Swanmore.

2. Budget Position

2.1 Following the last meeting, the balance available in the budget for allocation is £161,391.

3. Details of Requests

3.1 The Schedule of items gives details of 3 applications for financial assistance and is attached as Appendix 2 to this report. A copy of the guidelines used for allocating these grants is included as Appendix 1.

3.2 A request for grant aid has also been received from Jessica Batchelor of Upper Swanmore who has been selected as one of ten students to take part in the 5^th Durham University Coral Reef Awareness Research Expedition (DUCARE) in the Philippines during the summer.

3.2.1 The cost of the 10-week project is approximately £28,000, which includes travel, accommodation and field equipment. Each student is being asked to contribute £1,500 towards their expenses.

3.2.2 Requests from this budget may be considered from young people undertaking trips for personal/educational development. However, grants are not usually awarded for expeditions being organised by universities and colleges. Awarding a grant may result in numerous requests being received from young people living or studying in the County. It is therefore recommended not to award a grant.

4. Conclusion

4.1 The awarding of these grants would support all three aims 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.

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 excluded:

Published works.

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

TITLE FILE

Application forms Chief Executive's Department

Appendix 1

EXECUTIVE MEMBER FOR POLICY AND RESOURCES

GUIDELINES FOR ALLOCATION OF GRANTS

TO VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS AND OTHER BODIES

These notes should be regarded as guidelines and not prescriptive rules.

(i) Assistance will be considered only in response to direct applications from the individual or organisation seeking assistance.

(ii) Where appropriate, applications will be referred to the relevant service department (e.g. Adult Services, Children's Services, Recreation & Heritage, Environment, etc) for consideration.

(iii) Grants will normally be "one off" and not recurring.

(iv) Preference will be given to applications for specific projects rather than "general running costs" of organisations or projects with on-going revenue implications. Any applications for the latter must state how the on-going costs will be met.

(v) Only in exceptional circumstances will grants be made in respect of applications from the following:-

· District or Parish Councils (precepting bodies)


· Government Institutions (e.g. NHS)


· Schools (exceptions might include special schools)


· Overseas and out of County organisations which have no direct Hampshire involvement


· Branches or organisations assisted centrally with a sum from the County Council (e.g. Citizens Advice Bureaux)


· Bodies requesting funds for onward distribution to charities e.g. mayoral appeals, carnivals, fetes, etc.

(vi) As a general rule, grants will only be awarded to churches to support accessibility issues in line with the County Council's policy regarding the Disability Discrimination Act.

(vii) Assistance will be considered for organisations based in Portsmouth or Southampton only insofar as benefits to the wider County result.

(viii) Where possible self-help within organisations should be encouraged and to this end, grants should normally be a percentage of the sum required to complete the project.

(ix) Requests may be considered from young people in Hampshire aged between 16 and 25 years undertaking trips for educational/personal development purposes. Grants will not be awarded for university students undertaking electives as part of their degree.

(x) Requests may be considered from County wide groups (e.g. Guides, Scouts, Hampshire County Youth Orchestra) for specific trips, e.g. for an international jamboree or cultural tour. Individual requests will not be considered.

(xi) Conditions may be attached to any grant if considered appropriate, e.g. availability of minibuses for community use when not in use by the owning organisation.

(xii) As a general rule, grants in excess of £5,000 will not be awarded.

(xiii) Where financial support is sought towards a facility, which is used by others, such as a hall or minibus, details should be given of the extent of that use (in % term(s) and to what extent charges are made).

(xiv) As a general rule, grants will be held up to a maximum of three years after the award has been made.