Archived decisions

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

Decision Report :

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

1) Summary of Decision Area

1.1. This report seeks approval to provide grant support of £18,000 to Community Action Hampshire towards the cost of a Village Hall Adviser post for a period of twelve months. This fixed term grant will be found from within existing resources and is intended to fill a funding gap in advance of consideration of any longer term support for an appropriate advisory role for rural communities.

2) Issues Covered in Report

2.1. The report sets out the background to the funding for the Village Hall Adviser post and the recent withdrawal of central government support.

2.2. The role and job description of the post is included in the report along with the monitoring and review arrangements associated with the proposal.

2.3. The recommendation is proposed within the context set by the County Council's recent consultation concerning rural service delivery together with discussions held with the Executive Member for Rural Policy.

3) Recommendations

It is recommended that the Executive Member for Recreation, Heritage and Communities :

3.1. Supports the provision of the grant of £18,000 to Community Action Hampshire to provide a Village Hall Adviser post, as previously operated by that organisation, for a period of twelve months.

3.2. Agrees that a Service Level Agreement accompanies the grant which will ensure effective communications between Community Action Hampshire and the County Council and which provides for effective and proportionate performance reporting in terms of the utilisation of the grant.

3.3. Stipulates that after a period of nine months the arrangement will be reviewed within the context of the emerging Rural Delivery Strategy for the County Council, feedback from stakeholders, and the achievements identified by Community Action Hampshire.

3.4. Agrees that consideration of any ongoing relationship in this area of support will feed in to the wider Corporate Review of the County Council's longstanding and highly significant partnership arrangement with Community Action Hampshire.

MAIN REPORT

1) Background

1.1. Community Action Hampshire, as a Rural Community Council (RCC), has traditionally provided advice and support to rural communities seeking to maximise the role and value of local village halls. This work was previously grant aided by the Department of Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and was recognised as a valuable support for important community facilities in rural Hampshire.

1.2. The funding for this post has now been withdrawn by central government and revised funding arrangements have not made specific provision for this role. Consequently the funding for this work and the ability of the RCC to accommodate it came to an end in November.

1.3. As part of the consultation supporting the County Council's rural delivery activity, withdrawal of this funding and the impacts it may have was highlighted. In particular, during discussion between the new Executive Member for Rural Policy, Councillor Dr Ray Ellis, and the Chairman and Chief Executive of Community Action Hampshire, it became clear that there would be a significant decline in the level of advice and support available across the county.

1.4. Within this context the County Council was asked to consider supporting this post financially in order to prevent the collapse of this important role.

1.5. Members will be aware that the County Council provides core funding for Community Action Hampshire which supports a wide variety of activity across the county and in support of various Departmental initiatives. This core funding does not cover the Village Hall Adviser post and is currently under review in terms of the key outcomes and effectiveness of this very important partnership arrangement.

2) Key Issues

2.1. It is recognised that village halls are an important and crucial part of community life and infrastructure. There is also a wish to sustain support for those seeking to maintain and enhance the provision of such facilities in a difficult economic climate and when the County Council is looking hard at how it can support its rural communities.

2.2. It is also recognised that the longer term nature and type of advice required by rural communities may well need to be tailored to the results of the County Council's consultation over rural service delivery and the aspirations of elected members.

2.3. Within that context it is proposed to fill the funding gap identified above on a one year basis in order to sustain positive and proactive work of the Village Hall Adviser's post. It is proposed that the existing job description (attached as Appendix 1) is used as the basis for the role and that the funding figure of £18,000 will contribute towards the employment of an Adviser working for three days a week over the twelve month period. This funding will be found from within existing resources.

2.4. The post would be recruited, employed and managed by Community Action Hampshire and will work very closely with the County Council as the funding partner.

3) Monitoring and Review

3.1. Community Action Hampshire are very keen to undertake a joint induction of the post holder and to support very close working with county council officers. This will be essential to ensure effective communication and awareness of wider rural delivery initiatives and developments underway. This will support the effectiveness of the post and the dissemination of advice and support.

3.2. In terms of monitoring it is proposed that the Adviser will regularly attend the six-weekly Corporate Rural Delivery Task Group chaired by the Executive Member for Rural Policy and which monitors key rural issues and developments.

3.3. It is proposed that a requirement of the funding will be the provision of specific information and reporting which will identify the outcomes achieved by the post holder and the effectiveness of the partnership arrangement. This will form the basis of the Service Level Agreement attached to the funding.

3.4. This arrangement will be assessed and reviewed in light of the performance achieved and also the direction and focus of the County Council's emerging Rural Delivery Strategy. Performance will be reviewed on a quarterly basis and the issue of any potential longer term advisory support role or function will be assessed after nine months of operation.

3.5. It would be at that point that options and decisions concerning any future arrangement would be prepared and assessed for consideration by elected members.

4) Outline of Options

4.1. Option 1:

To allow the Village Hall Adviser role to collapse.

4.2. Option 2:

To provide temporary support in advance of a longer term review of the needs and options for providing advice and support to rural communities.

4.3. Option 3:

To look to another organisation to provide such support or to consider providing such advice in-house.

5) Option Analysis / Comparison

5.1. Pursuing option 1 would result in the loss of valued advice and support for those in rural areas seeking to sustain important community facilities and as such would be a retrograde step.

5.2. Pursuing option 2 would help sustain the valuable work already undertaken albeit on a temporary basis subject to a review linking to key work underway by the County Council.

5.3. Option 3 would involve a significant delay whilst an alternative provider is sought, or the necessary capacity created, thus impacting on the needs of rural communities.

6) Conclusions

6.1. This report identifies the opportunity for the County Council to fill a funding gap left by a significant change in central government funding. As such it is intended as a temporary measure to sustain helpful advice and support provided by the voluntary sector for important rural community facilities. It is proposed that the arrangement is subject to a Service Level Agreement and that it is reviewed after nine months operation with the context set by the County Council's emerging Rural Delivery Strategy and the Corporate Review of our overall partnership arrangement within Community Action Hampshire.

7) Recommendations

Please see Executive Summary for recommendations.

CORPORATE OR LEGAL INFORMATION:

IMPACT ASSESSMENTS:

1. Equalities Impact Assessment

a) This proposal seeks to support the development of wholly accessible community facilities in rural areas and as such is potentially a positive contribution to community life.

2. Impact on Crime and Disorder

a) This proposal will provide the opportunity for the sharing of advice and best practice in terms of the management and running of village halls in a safe and secure manner.

3. Climate Change

a) How does what is being proposed impact on our carbon footprint / energy consumption?

This proposal is aimed at supporting and sustaining community facilities at a local level and meeting important community needs close to where people live.

b) How does what is being proposed consider the need to adapt to climate change, and be resilient to its longer term impacts?

Not applicable.