Archived decisions

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

Decision Report :

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

1) Summary of Decision Area:

1.1. This report seeks approval to decisions being made on grant applications received from the Policy and Resources small grants budget.

2) Issues Covered in Report:

2.1. The report give details of a number of requests received for financial assistance from the Policy and Resources small grants budget.

3) Recommendations:

That decisions being recommended on the attached grant requests be approved.

MAIN REPORT

1) Purpose of the Report:

1.1. This reports shows details of grant requests which are being considered from the Policy and Resources small grants budget.

2) Budget Position:

2.1. Following the previous grant awards made during this financial year the balance remaining in this budget to allocate during the remaining period £155,226.

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 criteria used for allocating grants is attached as Appendix 1.

4) Other Considerations:

4.1. Impact Assessment: No groups or organisations should be excluded from any benefit arising from these decisions

CORPORATE OR LEGAL INFORMATION:

GUIDELINES FOR ALLOCATION OF GRANTS

TO VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS AND COMMUNITY GROUPS

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.

(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 was made.

1. PETERSFIELD IN BLOOM

PURPOSES FOR WHICH FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IS SOUGHT

Petersfield in Bloom wish to provide a floral display on the A31 Causeway roundabout which will enhance the approach to the town.

Costs are estimated at £500. No other funding has been sought.

AMOUNT OF REQUEST

Not specified

PREVIOUS CONSIDERATION GIVEN BY OTHER EXECUTIVE MEMBERS AND GRANTS PREVIOUSLY AWARDED

Policy and Resources grants budget:

13.3.02 - £750 - floral displays (money returned due to lack of funds)

COMMENTS OF LOCAL MEMBER

Councillor Cartwright has been contacted regarding this application.

GENERAL COMMENTS

Chief Executive: The land in question is owned by the County Council and therefore no other funding has been sought.The organisation's accounts show a surplus of £6,800 and therefore a grant is not recommended on this occasion.

RECOMMENDATION

Nil

2. NORTH BADDESLEY FOOTBALL CLUB

PURPOSES FOR WHICH FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IS SOUGHT

North Baddesley Football Club, in conjunction with North Baddesley Parish Council, are seeking funding to help towards the cost of caging and painting an existing basketball court to make it more accessible as a dual sport area for both football and basketball.

The project is costing approximately £19,000 and funding has already been obtained from the Local Network Fund (£5,000) and Test Valley Borough Council have pledged up to £10,000.

AMOUNT OF REQUEST

£5,000

COMMENTS OF LOCAL MEMBER

Councillor Dowden is supportive of this request.

GENERAL COMMENTS

Director of Recreation and Heritage: This department provides a global sum to the Hampshire Playing Fields Association who distribute grants to clubs and organisations for this type of project. Other organisations the club may like to approach ifor grant aid include the Football Foundation, Hampshire Football Association and the Awards for All Programme.

Chief Executive: It should be noted that the land in question is owned by the County Council and leased to the Parish Council and therefore it would not be appropriate to award a grant for this purpose.

RECOMMENDATION

Nil

3. BE YOUR BEST FOUNDATION (GLOBAL ROCK CHALLENGE)

PURPOSES FOR WHICH FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IS SOUGHT

Global Rock Challenge is a drug and crime prevention initiative in the form of a performing arts competition for primary and secondary schools and colleges. The aim is to encourage healthy drug-free lifestyles by providing a credible alternative where young people can enjoy and achieve in a safe environment.

Approximately 50 schools in Hampshire will compete in heats being held at the Southampton and Portsmouth Guildhalls during March and April, with the final taking place in May.

Costs for these events total £132,500. Confirmed funding of £68,500 has been received and requests totalling £12,000 are still pending. This leaves a potential shortfall of £27,750.

Should a grant be awarded, the Foundation hopes to raise the remaining amount through tickets sales, merchandise and raffle tickets.

AMOUNT OF REQUEST

Not specified

PREVIOUS CONSIDERATION GIVEN BY OTHER EXECUTIVE MEMBERS AND GRANTS PREVIOUSLY AWARDED

The County Council has awarded grants over several years towards these events.

COMMENTS OF LOCAL MEMBER

This is a Countywide application.

GENERAL COMMENTS

Chief Executive: This event aims to improve the lives of young people in Hampshire by arranging this performing arts events during the early part of next year.

RECOMMENDATION

£5,000