Archived decisions

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

Decision Report :

Contact name: Margaret Plumridge

Tel: 01962 84 6173 Email [email protected]

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

1) Summary of Decision Area :

1.1 The County Council provides partnership funding from the Community Buildings Fund for capital projects to Community Associations, Village Hall Trusts and similar bodies as outlined in the fund's criteria. This enables the voluntary and community sector to maintain the quality of Hampshire's cultural assets, namely community centres and village halls, some of which are listed.

1.2 This report provides details of the financial position of the Community Buildings Fund in 2008/09 and details requests for partnership funding from this fund.

2) Applications considered in this Report :

3) Recommendation:

3.1 That partnership funding totalling £11,784 as listed above be approved for allocation from the Community Buildings Fund for 2008/09

MAIN REPORT

1. Purpose of the Report :

1.1 The purpose of this report is :

i) to provide details of the financial position of the Community Buildings Fund for 2008/09

ii) to provide details of requests for partnership funding from the Community Buildings Fund in 2008/09

2. Background/ Contextual Information :

2.1 The County Council works in partnership with specific community organisations particularly community associations and village hall trusts who seek to enable local people to meet the recreational, educational, social, cultural and environmental needs of their local communities. These organisations give local people an opportunity to participate in local activities and encourage local initiatives by people of all ages.

2.2 Partnership funding from the Community Buildings Fund enables the voluntary and community sector to maintain the quality of Hampshire's cultural assets, namely their village halls and community association buildings, some of which are listed. This finance enables improvements to be made to those buildings and can assist with the development of new facilities where appropriate. The provision of these buildings by the voluntary and community sector enable local communities to access the services and facilities they need.

2.3 By providing financial support to these organisations for the maintenance of their buildings the County Council is able to work in partnership with the community sector to achieve the Corporate Priority - Enhancing our Quality of Place

3. Budget Position:

3.1 The sum of £100,000 was set aside in the 2008/09 Recreation and Heritage Capital Programme to support the Community Buildings Fund in 2008/09. A further £25,000 from the capital programme carry forward originally set aside for landlord improvement works to the community centres owned by the county council has been allocated to support this fund. Consequently the fund now stands at £125,000. To date £111,975 has been allocated in this financial year. The recommendations in this report amount to £11,784. This will leave £1,241 for the remainder of the year.

4. Criteria for Grant:

4.1 The partnership funding distribution criteria is set out in Appendix 1.

4.2 Projects listed in Appendix 2 meet fully the criteria and have been allocated a proposed level of partnership funding in line with the criteria with the exception of Tadley & District Community Association.

5. Other Considerations

5.1 Legal Implications

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

5.2 Impact Assessment

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. Furthermore the application procedure includes equalities monitoring information as agreed as part of the corporate review of grants programmes and procedures.

6. Summary Recommendations:

6.1 That partnership funding totalling £11,784 be approved for allocation from the Community Buildings Fund for 2008/09 as listed below :-

CORPORATE OR LEGAL INFORMATION:

Appendix 1

CRITERIA FOR THESE GRANTS:

The partnership funding distribution criteria for the Community Buildings Fund is as follows:

Partnership funding is granted for:

· Building repairs, extensions and refurbishments

· Health and safety issues

· Equipment to improve the buildings and increase usage

· Feasibility studies

Who can apply:

· Village halls (not parish run halls)

· Community associations

· Church organisations that have a separate community programme on their property

Funding criteria:

· For projects costing less than £15,000, the funding criteria is up to one third of the cost.

· For projects costing more than £15,000, the grant is calculated at 50% of the combined district and parish council contribution up to a maximum of 25% of the project costs or £12,500, whichever is the lesser.

· Feasibility studies - applications will be considered for 50% of the cost up to a maximum of £500.

Priority Criteria:

1. Health and safety issues that could result in the building being closed or activities seriously curtailed if the work is not carried out.

2. The work is absolutely essential in order to meet the terms of the Disability Discrimination Act. (It has been widely publicised that these types of buildings will not be closed provided reasonable steps have been taken to meet the terms of the Act).

3. The project is part of a phased development and this element is essential to it's overall completion.

4. Non priority work.

Appendix 2

Name East Boldre Village Hall

Consultation The local member, Cllr Thornber, has been consulted

Project General improvements to the hall

i) Replacing kitchen units and flooring, updating facilities in keeping with health and safety requirements

ii) Upgrade decoration of entrance hall

iii) Provide a double glazed porch at entrance to enhance security and reduce heat loss

Cost £14,050

General Reserves £9,998

Project Reserves £6,900

Statement The project will enhance the entrance and improve the appearance of the hall , provide greater security for users especially the pre school group and reduce heating costs in winter. The kitchen upgrade will provide more hygienic facilities.

Funding None

Recommendation £4,683 as one third of the project cost

Name Tadley and District Community Association

Consultation The local member, Councillor Tucker, has been consulted and supports this application.

Project Replacement of current central heating boiler

Cost £23,124

General Reserves £18,000

Project Reserves £0

Statement The existing central heating plant comprises of 3 boilers. Currently, only one works and is now prone to breaking down and in urgent need of replacement.

Funding Basingstoke & Deane £17,422 received

Tadley Town Council £2,000 received

Current shortfall £3,702

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Total cost £23,124

Recommendation A criteria based contribution of £5,781 (i.e. 25% of the project cost) would result in total external funding for this project of £25,203. In view of the current financial position of the Fund it is proposed to offer £1,851 which is 50% of the current shortfall and ask the Association to fund the remaining balance of £1,851.

Name Weeke Community Association

Consultation The local member is Councillor Dickens

Project Provision of disabled toilet facilities and improved access.

Cost £26,000

General Reserves £25,000

Project Reserves £8,000

Statement This project will improve the access to the community centre and provide a toilet for disabled persons . It will also allow disabled groups to use the buildings for meetings and activities.

Funding Winchester City Council £10,500

Recommendation £5,250 as 50% of the combined district and parish council contribution up to a maximum of £12,500