Archived decisions

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

Decision Report:

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

1) Summary of Decision Area:

1.1. This report gives details of grants applications which have been received and are to be considered from the Policy and Resources grants budget.

2) Recommendation:

That grants to those voluntary and community organisations and young people shown in Appendix 2 of this report be approved.

1.2.

MAIN REPORT

1. Purpose of the Report

This report shows details of four grant requests which have been received from voluntary and community organisations and young people and are being considered from the Policy and Resources grants budget.

2. Budget Position

The balance available for allocation at today's meeting is £384,799 after grants approved at the last decision day, commitments made in previous years and sums earmarked for specific purposes.

3. Details of requests

The schedule of items gives details of 4 applications for financial assistance, which if agreed in the amounts recommended would total £10,300 (attached as Appendix 2 to this report). A copy of the criteria used for allocating grants is attached as Appendix 1.

4. Recommendations

Please see Appendix 2 to this report.

CORPORATE OR LEGAL INFORMATION:

FUNDING CRITERIA FOR THE POLICY AND RESOURCES GRANTS

The following criteria should be taken into consideration when preparing a submission for funding. They are intended as guidelines and not prescriptive rules

1. Assistance will be considered only in response to direct applications from properly constituted organisations seeking assistance. You must show in your application that your organisation is properly and legally organised and has its own bank account.

2. Where appropriate, applications will be referred to the relevant service department (e.g. Adult Services, Recreation and Heritage, etc) for consideration.

3. Preference will be given to applications for specific projects activities rather than general running costs of organisations. These grants are not intended to replace shortfalls in service delivery budgets or replace funding for other support you may be able to obtain, or that you have obtained from us in the past.

4. Grants will not usually be made in respect of applications from the following:-

· District or Parish Councils

· Government Institutions

· 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

· Bodies requesting funds for onward distribution to other charities e.g. mayoral appeals, carnivals, fetes, or for their own fundraising events.

5. Applications will not be accepted from political parties or groups affiliated with a political party or from lobbying/campaigning organisations.

6. Applications will only be considered from faith groups who can demonstrate their facilities are open and used by the local community other than for church related activities.

7. 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. Individual requests will not be considered.

8. Where possible self-help within organisations should be encouraged and to this end, grants are normally a percentage of the sum required to complete the project.

9. As a general rule, grants in excess of £5,000 will not be awarded.

10. In general only award grants to projects which are taking place in the same year as application for funds.

FELICIA PARK URBAN COMMUNITY FARM, GOSPORT

HOG ORG NO:1785

PURPOSES FOR WHICH FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IS SOUGHT

Felicia Park Urban Community Farm is situated in central Gosport and works with schools, colleges, groups and organisations about animal husbandry, care of the environment, communication skills and teamwork.

The Park also provides and supports events in Gosport throughout the year that acknowledge the benefits that "Family Sharing Together" can motivate. One of these events is the "Gosport Big Day Out" which is taking place on 14 June.

A grant is being sought to help towards the Farm participate in the event, for which they will require various items of capital equipment including, gazebos, tables/chairs, display boards, play equipment, totalling £2,200. The organisation is contributing £1,200 and is seeking a contribution from the County Council of £1,000.

AMOUNT OF REQUEST

£1,000

PREVIOUS CONSIDERATION GIVEN BY OTHER EXECUTIVE MEMBERS AND GRANTS PREVIOUSLY AWARDED

17.12.93 - £2,500 - support costs

24.03.95 - £2,000 - purchase of equipment

13.09.96 - £1,000 - purchase of equipment

12.12.02 - £3,000 - costs of farm including animal feed

8.4.04 - £500 - classroom refurbishment

29.6.07 - £3,000 - cost of the Farm

COMMENTS OF LOCAL MEMBER

Councillor Chegwyn strongly supports this application as the Farm is a highly valued community resource. He has awarded several grants to this organisation in the past.

GENERAL COMMENTS

Director of Children's Services: This seems a worthy bid in a deprived area and fits with the key outcomes of the Children and Young Peoples Plan and Every Child Matters. This department could therefore consider funding for this project and if agreed could be referred for consideration.

RECOMMENDATION

Refer to the Director of Children's Services for consideration.

ROMSEY OLD CADETS ASSOCIATION

HOG ORG NO:

PURPOSES FOR WHICH FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IS SOUGHT

The Romsey Old Cadets Association was formed in 1963 to keep alive the friendship amongst members of the Army Cadet Force who had missed its camaraderie. It currently has 60 members of all ages who are asked to perform as a military-style band at various concerts and tattoos.

The Association is seeking grant aid of £3,750 towards the cost of providing new

blazers for their sixty band members. Funds raised so far total £1,300 (includes £500 donation from the Town Council and £300 of their own funds), leaving a shortfall of £2,450.

AMOUNT OF REQUEST

£2,500

PREVIOUS CONSIDERATION GIVEN BY OTHER EXECUTIVE MEMBERS AND GRANTS PREVIOUSLY AWARDED

Nil

COMMENTS OF LOCAL MEMBER

Councillor Dowden is fully supportive of a grant being awarded as the group gives great entertainment to the general public.

GENERAL COMMENTS

Director of Recreation and Heritage: Although the Romsey Old Cadets Association are performing music events throughout Hampshire their application would not be eligible under the Arts Activity Scheme as the scheme does not support the purchase of capital items or standard running costs.

Chief Executive: The group has represented the County at various events throughout Hampshire, France, Germany and Jersey. In view of this a small one-off grant of £300 to match their own fundraising may be appropriate on this occasion.

RECOMMENDATION

£300

COASTAL FORCES HERITAGE TRUST

HOG ORG NO:

PURPOSES FOR WHICH FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IS SOUGHT

The Coastal Forces Heritage Trust is seeking grant aid from the County Council to produce a definitive documentary on the history and achievements on Coastal Forces through World War II.

The work will be undertaken by a professional company experienced and sympathetic to naval history and is expected to cost in the region of £30,000. This will cover film and script production, research, distribution and marketing, etc.

Income for the project has been received from the Heritage Lottery Fund - £10,000, together with their own funds of £5,000, leaves a shortfall of £15,000, which will be sought from other local authorities, other supporters of the Trust and continued fundraising.

AMOUNT OF REQUEST

£5,000

PREVIOUS CONSIDERATION GIVEN BY OTHER EXECUTIVE MEMBERS AND GRANTS PREVIOUSLY AWARDED

23.4.99 - £2,000 - repair and maintenance of HDML Medusa training ship

8.9.2000 - £3,700 - maintenance of above ship

COMMENTS OF LOCAL MEMBER

N/A

GENERAL COMMENTS

Defence Heritage and Tourism Manager: This organisation has a record of educating the public in the history of Coastal Forces by restoring, preserving and displaying Coastal Forces craft together with relevant records, artefacts and memorabilia relating to their activities. This DVD would be an important addition to their collection and supports their charitable objectives. The production costs seem reasonable. This application is supported on the basis that a copy is placed with the Hampshire Records Office.

RECOMMENDATION

£5,000 subject to a copy being placed with the Hampshire Records Office

WINCHESTER ACTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE (WINACC) STEERING GROUP HOG ORG NO:2237

PURPOSES FOR WHICH FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IS SOUGHT

The principal aim of the Winchester Action on Climate Change (WinACC) Steering Group, set up in October 2007, is to encourage, persuade and advise all households and public, private and voluntary organisations in Winchester to reduce their carbon footprint. The Group consists of representatives from the main organisations in Winchester, including the County and City Councils and the University of Winchester.

The Group is seeking a core grant of £12,500 towards their work in 2009/10. Funds are also being sought from Winchester City Council and the University of Winchester (£25,000 and £5,000 respectively).

AMOUNT OF REQUEST

£5,000

PREVIOUS CONSIDERATION GIVEN BY OTHER EXECUTIVE MEMBERS AND GRANTS PREVIOUSLY AWARDED

28.1.08 - £3,000 - towards the education outreach programme.

COMMENTS OF LOCAL MEMBER

The County Council is represented on this steering group by Councillor Allgood.

GENERAL COMMENTS

Chief Executive: This request was originally considered at the Decision Day in March, where it was agreed not to fund as this group had already received grant aid from this budget towards its education programmme.

However, in view of the importance of their work a final one-off grant is recommended for this year only to allow them time to seek alternative funding, including the business sector.

RECOMMENDATION

A final one-off grant of £5,000 for this year only.