Archived decisions

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

Decision Report

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

1) Summary of Decision Area

1.1. To agree the sum to be allocated from within the 2009/10 revenue budget to meet requests from community associations for support towards their revenue and project costs in that year.

1.2. To provide details of requests for financial support from partner organisations towards their revenue and project costs and to report on their 2008/09 project activity.

2) Applications considered in this report

3) Recommendations

3.1 That funding totalling £38220, as listed above, be approved for allocation from the 2009/10 revenue budget.

MAIN REPORT

1) Purpose of the Report

1.1. The purpose of this report is :

i) to provide details of requests for financial support from partner organisations towards their revenue and project costs and to report on their 2008/09 project activity.

2) Background/Contextual Information

2.1. The County Council through its Recreation and Heritage Department, supports community associations that aim to provide the opportunity for local people to participate in recreational, educational, social, cultural and environmental activities within their local communities and to encourage local initiatives by people of all ages.

2.2. There are 104 community associations in Hampshire. In 2008/09 the county council provided project funding to 21 of these organisations. From April 2009 there will only be one organisation remaining that is supported also by the secondment of staff - Leigh Park Community Association.

3) Budget Position

3.1. It is proposed that £170,000 is set aside from the 2009/10 revenue budget to meet requests from community associations to support their revenue and project costs under this scheme. To date £29,700 has been allocated from this fund leaving £140,300 to be allocated in this report and later in the year. The requests in this report total £38,220. If all requests are agreed this would leave £63,860.

4) Criteria for Partnership Funding

4.1. By supporting these organisations in their project proposals and working in partnership with them, the Recreation and Heritage Department is able to meet the following outcomes :-

· Increasing participation through the development of activities for older people in order to support their continued well being

· Increasing participation through the development of activities for children and young people that will help them lead positive lives

· Increased participation through the development of physical activity programmes as part of the recommended regime of five 30 minute sessions a week of moderate intensity exercise.

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4.2. The Community Support Service is also supporting the business development of these organisations by :-

· Assisting them with the development of consultation events that enable them to talk to local people about the services they need

· Assisting them to review their activities and develop a three year business plan.

4.3. There is an application summary for each of the organisations that have applied for funding in Appendix 1. An extract from their Public Benefit Statement has also been included.

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 a grant or loan towards the 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.

6) Summary Recommendations

a. That funding totalling, £38,220 as listed below, be approved for allocation from the Community Support revenue budget for 2009/10.

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CORPORATE OR LEGAL INFORMATION:

Appendix 1

Community Association Denmead

Local member Cllr F Allgood has been consulted

Denmead Community Association has expanded its activities in the last year. It has been providing computer classes, a monthly film club, bridge, art and language classes aimed at local older people. It is also increasing its support for the young through a Youth Theatre group and provides out of school activities during school holidays.

District Winchester

Public Benefit Statement

The Association has throughout the year offered monthly film nights and a live theatre production twice a year. The children's holiday clubs are gaining a reputation for excellence and we offer active encouragement to children through Denmead Junior School by running an annual Christmas card competition. We have been running short computer courses for beginners and hope to continue these.

This year we started our Eco garden project and hope to involve local children in this project next year.

Report on projects undertaken in 2008/09

Projects Planned for 2009/10

· Develop adult learning programme

· Develop physical activities for children including traditional games and ultimate Frisbee

Involvement in Extended Services

None

Finance £

Income ( excl HCC funding) 71,391

Expenditure 71,691

Grants from

Ella Bendall Fund 735

Recommendation £2,000

Community Association Fordingbridge

Local member Cllr Mrs K Heron has been consulted

District New Forest

Public Benefit Statement

The Association has had a successful year with more than 40 clubs and organisations using Avonway on a regular basis. Monday coffee mornings continue to be popular. The association consulted young people about their needs and the Association hopes to establish a Youth Club in the Autumn 2009. We also consulted with local residents about what they would like from or could contribute to the Community Association. The demand for the Association's minibus continues to be strong for transporting the elderly and disabled residents to activities at the centre and elsewhere.

Report on projects undertaken in 2008/09

Projects Planned for 2009/10

· Establish a Youth Club for 7 - 13 year olds

· Local History and Reminiscence Day

Involvement in Extended Services

Manager is a member of the board of the local children's centre and Fordingbridge Youth Steering Group

Finance £

Income ( excl HCC funding) 36,655

Expenditure 39,990

Grants from

Capital HCC 2,766

Help the Aged 2,000

Fordingbridge TC 2,000

Recommendation £5,880

Community Association Kingsley

Local member Cllr M Kemp-Gee has been consulted

District East Hants

Public Benefit Statement

This organisation has twin aims - to provide self development and training for and with disabled people and to provide a service to the community.

Some of the activities we support to provide these aims are

Post office and Village shop

Children's holiday activities

Youth Group

Adult activities including It workshop, exercise class, singalongs

Healthy walks

Report on projects undertaken in 2008/09

Projects Planned for 2009/10

· Consulting with children and Young People

· Develop a half day of activities for older people

Involvement in Extended Services

None

Finance £

Income ( excl HCC funding) 56,750

Expenditure 63,131

Grants from

East Hants District Council 15,450

Recommendation £5,880

Community Association Portchester

Local member Cllr R Price has been consulted

Cllr Price fully supports this grant as this Association are doing some excellent work with the children's centre, with their Youth project and with the older population of Portchester. The top floor of the building has been closed for safety reasons and they are working under extreme pressure and loosing income as a result. Consequently this grant is even more important to them.

District Fareham

Public Benefit Statement

This year the first floor facilities and meeting rooms were closed due to fire and building regulations resulting in a reduction of letting space and loss of income. However, modifications were made to the ground floor and a portakabin installed with the objective of minimising the effect of the reduced space. Members and volunteers participated in decorating and equipping new rooms.

New projects this year include the Keepsake Children's Centre, V young people's volunteering project and community and family learning contributing to the maximum use of the space available. Other activities such as the Holiday Playscheme and Community Learning were delivered off site.

Despite the building issues the membership and footfall increased during the year.

Talks have commenced with partner agencies including Fareham Borough Council and Hampshire County Council with a view to rebuilding the centre at some future date. A very successful open day was held to gather local opinion about the new building.

Report on projects undertaken in 2008/09

Projects Planned for 2009/10

· Developing an adult learning programme

· Review and development of 3 year business plan

Involvement in Extended Services

Supporting and delivering the Keepsake Children's Centre

Developing project with 3 schools as part of extended services programme

Finance £

Income ( excl HCC funding) 94,713

Expenditure 108,396

Recommendation £11,760

Community Association Ringwood and District

Local member Cllr N Clarke has been consulted

District New Forest

Public Benefit Statement

During June in 2008 an exhibition showcasing the work and activities held at the centre took place with a Garden Party. The minibuses continue to be available enabling the elderly and disabled inhabitants to maintain wider horizons.

Report on projects undertaken in 2008/09

Projects Planned for 2009/10

· Consulting with children and young people

· Developing activities for older people

Involvement in Extended Services

No

Finance £

Income ( excl HCC funding) 138,265

Expenditure 149,879

Recommendation £4,900

Community Association Wickham

Local member Cllr F Allgood has been consulted

Wickham Community Association does a great deal of useful work in a community that contains pockets of deprivation. I fully support this award.

District Winchester

Public Benefit Statement

The trustees have spent a lot of time this year working on young people's projects. They recognise the importance of continued provision in this area and have a continuing dialogue with Wickham Youth club providing them with accommodation during 2008 and a survey has taken place as a precursor to setting up a Youth Council.

The association is also working jointly with Meon Valley Methodist churches to provide after school provision within the IT suite.

We catered for families with children at Christmas by providing a free children's Christmas party

Report on projects undertaken in 2008/09

Projects Planned for 2009/10

· Follow up activity from Youth consultation - developing the Youth council

· Developing an Adult learning programme

Involvement in Extended Services

Making links with children's centre and local schools

Finance £

Income ( excl HCC funding) 90,850

Expenditure 89,861

Recommendation £7,840