Archived decisions

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

Decision Report :

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

1) Summary of Decision Area:

1.1 It is recommended that the Executive Member for Children and Families approves Youth Opportunity Fund grant applications as follows:

Name of project	Recommended Grant
MuFu Live Room	£10,000.00
Youth Express	£5,333.56
Bury Brickfields Play Project	£15,000.00
R.A.D.I.O IN.C	£14,500.00
Teenage Drop In	£5,000.00
Helping A Friend In Need	£8,545.00
Total	£58,378.56

2) Issues Covered in Report:

2.1. The decision supports the following Hampshire County Council priorities.

"Making Hampshire safer and more secure for all" - by supporting organisations that provide positive activities for children and young people.

"Maximising well being" - by supporting organisations that deliver services to children and young people or are funded by children and young people or aim to help vulnerable children and young people.

2.2. The decision supports the following aims of the Children Act:

As well as enabling voluntary organisations, grants help them to achieve the five outcomes of Every Child Matters by encouraging young people to stay safe, be healthy, enjoy and achieve, make a positive contribution and achieve economic well being.

3) Recommendations:

3.1. It is recommended that the Executive Member for Children and Families approves Youth Opportunity Fund grant applications for 2008/2009 totalling £58,378.56 as detailed in (4) of this report.

MAIN REPORT

1) Purpose of the Report

1.1. Grants over £5,000 from the Youth Opportunities Fund require the approval of the Executive Member. The report recommends the Executive Member for Children and Families approves grants totalling £58,378.56 on this occasion from the Youth Opportunity Fund.

2) Contextual Information

2.1. Youth Opportunity Fund grants are intended to give young people, aged between 13 and 19 years, more choice and the opportunity to take greater control over what is available in their area. The funds are to be distributed at young people's discretion, for projects designed and supported by young people to improve the range of things to do and places to go in their area. The funds, given by the Government, and allocated on a District basis were made available in September 2006 with additional funding being allocated in April 2008, these are to be distributed and used by March 2009. Only 5% of the total bid amount may be carried forward if any monies are unspent at the year end.

Youth Opportunity Funds are intended to involve young people, especially `hard to reach' young people, who may not easily access provision available to most young people, in identifying positive activities and things to do; and to support their role as decision makers, grant givers and project leaders.

Individuals, or groups of young people from Hampshire who are aged between 13-19 years can apply for grants. Projects that involve or benefit groups of vulnerable young people will be given additional weighting in the decision making processes.

2.2. Supporting young people and youth organisation through the Youth Opportunity Fund extends the capacity to increase delivery of effective youth work and supports Corporate Priorities. Providing positive activities for young people leads to safer and more secure communities, the personal and social development of young people leads to maximising their well being and the improvement of facilities enhances the quality of place. As well as enabling youth work organisations, grants help them to work towards the five outcomes of Every Child Matters by encouraging young people to stay safe, be healthy, enjoy and achieve make a positive contribution and achieve economic well being.

3) Key Issues

3.1. Grant recommendations of £5,000 and above are presented for approval.

4) Grant Applications

4.1 MuFu Live Room

Project District - Havant

The funds requested by young people will enable those belonging to current music group `Music Fusion' to develop a space within Havant Arts Centre. The funds would cover the costs of soundproofing, internal light maintenance, decorating, video connection, stage box and patch bay, recording equipment and experienced staffing to support and facilitate young people's work.

Once the project is completed, the MuFu live room will enable young people to access podcasts, guitar and bass tuition, rehearsals, recording equipment for music and video production within a safe and supportive environment.

To date the number of young people accessing Music Fusion has included: 500 under 12 year olds, 600 13 - 19 year olds, 750 17 - 19 year olds and 50 20 - 25 therefore it is predicted the MUFU Live room will be well attended offering 10 sessions per week.

The project meets all 5 of the `Every Child Matters' outcomes.

A grant of £10,000 is recommended.

4.2 Youth Express

Project District - Test Valley

The funds requested by young people will enable Young People of Andover Youth Council to develop and promote their group and service within the Andover and surrounding areas. The Youth Council currently consists of ten committed young people who hope to gain new members via the Youth Express project. The funds will pay for: marketing gifts and promotional items, stationary, event costs, venue costs, refreshments and logo tops for members.

The project meets all 5 of the `Every Child Matters' outcomes.

A grant of £5333.56 is recommended

4.3 Bury Brickfields Play Area Project

Project District - New Forest

The funds requested by young people will pay for a teenage play area to be developed on a rural travellers site (Bury Brickfields) within the New Forest area. Currently there are no play facilities for young people on this site where there are consistent numbers of resident families with young children.

The project meets at least 3 of the 5 `Every Child Matters' outcomes.

A grant of £15,000 is recommended

4.4 R.A.D.I.O I.N.C.

(Radio Alresford and District In Operation In the Community)

Project District - Winchester

The funds requested by young people will pay for purchase of a Radio Recording Deck and microphones supporting the development of the R.A.D.I.O I.N.C project. The Radio will play music, drama, sports reports and comedy which will then be played through Perin's School's web based model (IT) system. Members of the community will be provided with log-ins allowing them access the radio station. A radio club will be available every week day for recordings to be developed and produced.

The project meets at least 4 of the 5 `Every Child Matters' outcomes.

A grant of £14,500 is recommended

4.5 Teenage Drop In

Project District - Eastleigh

The funds requested by young people will pay towards the sustainability of a teenage drop in counselling service of a high quality with no waiting time in Hedge End and the surrounding areas. Teenagers who access the service will be able to talk to a qualified counsellor without any waiting period. The Drop-In Centre will continue to be available every Wednesday with open drop-in access. Currently 800 young people access the service per year, some of which currently have to wait to see a counsellor. The service assess and evaluates its service in participation with the young people who attend the centre via questionnaires and face to face contact.

The project meets at least 4 of the 5 `Every Child Matters' outcomes.

A grant of £5000 is recommended.

4.6 Helping A Friend In Need

Project District - Gosport

The funds requested by young people will pay for the SEN development at the current `Focus Youth Centre' based in Lee-On-Solent. The young people would like to develop an audio imagery lighting system for projects that will support young people with additional needs to further engage with the youth group. The youth group would like more SEN members, Consultation with Young People with SEN predicts an estimated increase of 20 more young people. The youth group will continue to raise awareness of its club into the community, and monitor the success of the project.

This project meets at least 4 of the 5 `Every Child Matters' outcomes

A grant of £8545 is recommended.

5) Conclusions

Youth Opportunity Fund 2008 - 09

* This amount is well within the 5% which is permitted to be carried forward to next year.

6) Recommendations:

6.1. That the Executive Member for Children and Families approves the grant applications totalling £58,378.50 to help organisations to support young people within Hampshire.

CORPORATE OR LEGAL INFORMATION: