Archived decisions

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

Decision Report

1. Executive Summary

1.1. The purpose of this paper is to seek grant funding of £50,000 per annum over a period of three years to sponsor five to six places a year in the newly established Hampshire School for Social Entrepreneurs.

1.2. This paper seeks to:

· set out the background to the project

· consider the financial background for the initiative and the impact on the County Council's budget

· highlight the impact the project could have in supporting County Council objectives

· set out conditions that could be applied to the grant in order to increase the likelihood that the grant will be targeted where need is greatest

· briefly consider how this might relate to other Council activities aiming to address inequalities.

2. Contextual information

2.1. The School for Social Entrepreneurs (SSE) is a national organisation founded about ten years ago by serial social entrepreneur Michael Young. It exists to identify, promote and encourage entrepreneurial capacity amongst individuals working for social benefit. Its programmes provide a programme of personal and project development based on learning by doing and ongoing support.

2.2. Community Action Hampshire (CAH) has bought the franchise to set up a Social Enterprise School in Hampshire. The franchise provides CAH with the materials and methodology to set up a Hampshire based programme. CAH was successful in securing some one-off national grant funding and has also secured funding from Portsmouth City Council and First Wessex to run the first year's programme, which has just commenced.

2.3. The programme lasts for 35-40 weeks. It includes expert sessions, action learning sets, visits to social enterprise projects, tutorials and a national residential three day event. To some extent, the programme of activity is tailored to meet the needs of each individual.

3. Finance

3.1. The cost of a place is £8,000 to £10,000. This covers the cost of the programme set out above. It does not provide any income support for the student; except that travel costs may be covered.

3.2. An annual grant of £50,000 will sponsor between five and six places. CAH will need to raise additional funding to be able to run the programme in Year 2. Programme running costs are an estimated £160,000 per annum.

3.3. The County Council has awarded CAH a core grant of £298,660 for 2009/10, together with a building grant of £45,103, which is to be phased out over three years.

4. Performance

4.1. A recent evaluation of the national SSE showed that the majority of organisations started by individuals attending the programmes are still in existence. CAH has advised that, on average, such organisations have created four new jobs and seven volunteer places. The people involved in the programmes have also continued to operate a self-support network.

4.2. The Hampshire programme has just kicked off with its first 18 successful applicants. The first school has been based in Portsmouth, but the majority of applicants come from Hampshire County Council's area.

4.3. Applicants have to have an idea of what they want to do (although this may not be the idea they leave with after undertaking the programme). An interview process determines whether applicants are likely to benefit from the programme. Applicants who already belong to a voluntary organisation where there is an issue that needs to be addressed are also accepted.

4.4. CAH has advised that over the past two years it has created 42 new jobs in social enterprises and helped set up 11 new social enterprises.

5. Other key issues

5.1. The revised terms of reference for Hampshire Action Teams (HATs), approved at the 19 November 2009 County Council meeting, establish their role in addressing economic, health and other social inequalities in their area. There could be benefits in HATs engaging with budding social entrepreneurs in their area during their year on the programme, with a view to working with them where appropriate to address the problems identified. HATs programme funding could assist with establishing new provision in their area. Sponsorship could be identified as coming from the relevant HAT.

6. Recommendations

6.1 That a grant of up to £50,000 per annum for three years, starting in 2009/10, be made to Community Action Hampshire, to sponsor five to six places each year in the Hampshire School for Social Entrepreneurs, subject to the following conditions:

(i) eligible applicants for the sponsored places will be confirmed by Hampshire County Council;

(ii) grant will only be paid for sponsored places that are confirmed, with a pro-rata payment for each place;

(iii) priority to be given to applicants from less privileged backgrounds;

(iv) priority to be given to applicants whose ambition will assist in reducing health, economic and other social inequalities; and

(v) an annual report on the programme to be made to the County Council, which in due course gives feedback on the consequential community benefits arising.

6.1. That the Executive Member for Policy and Resources confirm the students to be sponsored and authorise release of the grant to Community Action Hampshire.

6.2. .That Chairmen of Hampshire Action Teams be asked to engage with sponsored social entrepreneurs from their locality on the programme, to explore opportunities to reduce health, economic and social inequalities in their areas.

CORPORATE OR LEGAL INFORMATION:

Links to the Corporate Strategy

IMPACT ASSESSMENTS:

1. Equalities Impact Assessment:

1.1. This grant should help to develop future social enterprises which can help address health, economic and other social inequalities.

2. Impact on Crime and Disorder:

2.1. Reducing inequality can have a positive effect in reducing crime and disorder.

3. Climate Change:

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

Not applicable.

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.