Archived decisions

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

Decision Report

1. Executive Summary

1.1. The purpose of this paper is to consider five applications for financial assistance from the Policy and Resources budget which have been received in the current financial year and whose details are outlined in Appendix 2 to this report.

2. Budget position

2.1. The balance available for allocation at today's meeting is £332,899, after grants approved at the last decision day, commitments made in previous years and sums earmarked for specific purposes.

3. Criteria of grant

3.1. A copy of the criteria used for allocating grants is attached as Appendix 1 to this report.

4. Recommendation

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

CORPORATE OR LEGAL INFORMATION:

Links to the Corporate Strategy

IMPACT ASSESSMENTS:

1. Equalities Impact Assessment:

1.1. The application procedure includes equalities monitoring information as agreed as part of the corporate review of grants programmes and procedures.

2. Impact on Crime and Disorder:

2.1. The County Council has an obligation under Section 17 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 to consider the impact of all decisions it makes on the prevention of crime. The proposals in this report aim to improve the wellbeing of Hampshire residents and reduce the risk of crime occurring.

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, Culture, Communities and Rural Affairs, Children's Services, etc) for consideration.

3. Preference will be given to applications for specific projects or 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 usually 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.

ST NICHOLAS CHURCH, FYFIELD HOG ORG NO:

PURPOSES FOR WHICH FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IS SOUGHT

The Church of St Nicholas in Fyfield, nr Andover is a 12th century building and was partly rebuilt in 1851. The Revd White (brother of Gilbert White of Selborne) was the longest serving Reverend there between 1762-88.

The PCC wish to provide new toilet facilities and disabled access to the building, which would enable it to be used by the wider community for events. Work is expected to start in January next year and cost £15,000.

Income received so far for the project amounts to £10,100, leaving a shortfall of £4,900. Applications for grant aid have also been made Test Valley Borough Council, Historic Churches Trust and SITA but have proved unsuccessful.

AMOUNT OF REQUEST

£4,900

PREVIOUS CONSIDERATION GIVEN BY OTHER EXECUTIVE MEMBERS AND GRANTS PREVIOUSLY AWARDED

Nil

COMMENTS OF LOCAL MEMBER

Councillor Pat West is fully supportive of this request. These facilities will help the village to use the church and its building for more community events. Mrs West is also minded to award a sum from her local budget.

GENERAL COMMENTS

Chief Executive: Once the works have been carried out, it is intended the new facilities will be used by the wider local community, including the nursery group; local schools for visits for and studies, history & botany visits; childrens club, parish council and for various other community events. A grant of £2,000 is recommended.

RECOMMENDATION

£2,000

PARKINSON'S DISEASE EXTEND EXERCISE GROUP (NEW FOREST) HOG ORG NO:2950

PURPOSES FOR WHICH FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IS SOUGHT

Parkinson's Disease Extend Exercise Group (New Forest) wishes to provide weekly exercise sessions for people at Boldre War Memorial Hall.

The total cost of providing these classes is £3,024 p.a (£63 per session) which covers, instructor costs, transport, premises hire and refreshments.

The group has committed £500 of its own funds.

AMOUNT OF REQUEST

Not specified

PREVIOUS CONSIDERATION GIVEN BY OTHER EXECUTIVE MEMBERS AND GRANTS PREVIOUSLY AWARDED

25.6.09 - £1,250 - to support exercise classes at Boldre War Memorial Hall

COMMENTS OF LOCAL MEMBER

Councillors Thornber, Rice, Keith Mans, Adrian Evans and Mel Kendal are local members and their comments have been sought.

GENERAL COMMENTS

Chief Executive: This request was considered at an earlier meeting, where it was agreed, given the request appeared to be more health-focused, to award a grant of £1,250.

However, should the remaining sum not be found, the organisation may need to charge a fee, which may exclude some people. It is therefore recommended to award a further one-off sum of £1,775 to cover the full cost of these classes for this year only.

RECOMMENDATION

£1,775

PARKINSON'S DISEASE SOCIETY (NEW FOREST) HOG ORG NO:2950

PURPOSES FOR WHICH FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IS SOUGHT

Parkinson's Disease Society (New Forest) are seeking grant aid of £330 to buy audio equipment to improve sound quality for their members at meetings. The majority of these take place at Brockenhurst Village Hall but with the equipment being portable these can then be used at other venues.

The Group has raised £126 towards these costs.

AMOUNT OF REQUEST

£330

PREVIOUS CONSIDERATION GIVEN BY OTHER EXECUTIVE MEMBERS AND GRANTS PREVIOUSLY AWARDED

Nil

COMMENTS OF LOCAL MEMBER

Councillors Thornber, Rice, Keith Mans, Adrian Evans and Mel Kendal are the local members.

GENERAL COMMENTS

Chief Executive: Having new and portable equipment would improve the sound quality of the group's meetings in the village hall and any other venues in the community where events are held. A grant is therefore recommended.

RECOMMENDATION

£200

THE BASINGSTOKE CHARITIES HOG ORG NO:

PURPOSES FOR WHICH FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IS SOUGHT

The Basingstoke Charities was set up in 1962 to bring together 28 different almshouse charities and charities for the poor in the area.

To mark the 400 years of continuous occupation of the almshouses, the trustees wish to produce a brochure for the benefit of local schoolchildren and the general public.

The brochure is to cost £3,965 for 10,000 copies. So far £3,000 has been raised from Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council (£2,000) and local businesses. The group is contributing £465 towards this project.

AMOUNT OF REQUEST

£500

PREVIOUS CONSIDERATION GIVEN BY OTHER EXECUTIVE MEMBERS AND GRANTS PREVIOUSLY AWARDED

Nil

COMMENTS OF LOCAL MEMBERS

Councillor Rita Burgess:

Councillor Jane Frankum:

Councillor Brian Gurden: A commemorative brochure would add to the cultural heritage of Basingstoke but it is something the charity unaided is unlikely to be able to afford.

Councillor Stephen Reid: What a super project for children to research the reasons for the Alms Houses being built and the uses made of them through the ages. This is a piece of living history and I fully support this request.

Councillor Ron Hussey: I do not consider this request will maximise wellbeing, make Hampshire safe or enhance our quality of place and do not feel able to support a grant.

GENERAL COMMENTS

Chief Executive: This brochure will enable school children and others in the community to appreciate some of the oldest buildings in Basingstoke still occupied and describe the environment and events over the last 400 years.

Should a grant be awarded, it may be appropriate to place a couple of copies in the Hampshire Record Office.

RECOMMENDATION

£250

BRITISH RED CROSS, HAMPSHIRE BRANCH HOG ORG NO:

PURPOSES FOR WHICH FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IS SOUGHT

The Hampshire branch of the British Red Cross is seeking grant aid for a centenary celebration event taking place at Winchester Cathedral on 22 October 2009.

The event will not only celebrate 100 years of service in the county but also recognise the valuable contribution made by its volunteers. 1,000 guests are expected on the day and the County Council is being asked for a grant to cover the cost of providing refreshments for the day.

AMOUNT OF REQUEST

£1,500

PREVIOUS CONSIDERATION GIVEN BY OTHER EXECUTIVE MEMBERS AND GRANTS PREVIOUSLY AWARDED

Nil

COMMENTS OF LOCAL MEMBER

This is a county-wide application.

GENERAL COMMENTS

Director of Adult Services: Comments to be reported at the meeting.

RECOMMENDATION

£1,500 subject to receipt of satisfactory comments