Archived decisions

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

Decision Report :

1. Executive Summary:

1.1. This report considers an application for partnership funding for 2009/10 for Marwell Wildlife Education service of £41,000

2. Issues Covered in Report:

2.2 The service provision offered by the applicant.

3. Background / Contextual Information:

3.1. Marwell Wildlife has received grant funding for its Education Service for many years from within the Countryside Service grants budget. In May 2009 it was decided to transfer responsibility for administering the grant to the Outdoor Service and to bring the Marwell application process into line with that in place for the six other charitable outdoor and environmental centres administered from within the Outdoor Service

3.2. A review of grant aided Outdoor Centre provision across Hampshire County Council was undertaken by the Culture and Community Scrutiny Committee in the summer of 2008, agreed by the Executive Member for P&R in January 2009. The Review Panel recommended that:

· The Executive Member for Recreation and Heritage adopt the proposed score sheet (criteria) as principled and practical input to inform funding decisions with respect to Charitable Outdoor Centres

· All Charitable centres be expected to have a business model that aims to cover costs from revenue, but where additional funding is needed to subsidise the centre, they are encouraged to seek funding from a variety of sources in addition to the County Council. In this context it is also recommended that the County provides access to specialist expertise in support of centres broadening their funding base, thus reducing risk associated with high dependence on a small number of grant giving agencies.

3.3. The `score sheet' (see appendix 1) sets out specific criteria and was used to assess the contribution of the applicant to this grant budget for 2009/10 in order to ascertain the contribution to overall Corporate Priorities. In addition, the applicant submitted a comprehensive application form setting out their operational and budget situations. Summary Business Plans exist for the applicant. In addition, the applicant was encouraged to seek other funding opportunities as recommended by the Select Committee.

3.4. Marwell Wildlife has been asked to follow the same application process and is assessed to the same criteria. This has meant some delay whilst they adapted to this change.

3. Budget Position:

4.1. The base budget provision for this partnership funding in 2009/10 is £41,000, which includes a 2% increase for inflation

4. Criteria of Grant:

5.1. Strategic fit with Corporate Priorities

5.2. Strategic fit with Educational/Children's Services Priorities

5.3. Fit with centres provided by HCC

5.4. Value for money as measured by the level of subsidy apparently provided by HCC

5.5. The vigour with which the centre appears to improve its level of income from sources other than HCC

5.6. Culture of innovation in course development/outdoor experience and delivery

5. Other Considerations:

5.1. Following the Select Committee review, and the application of the scoring system set against the agreed criteria, it is affirmed that these grants contribute significantly to services for Young People provided by Hampshire County Council.

5.2. The recommendations of the Review Committee have been taken into account. In particular, the criteria outlined within the Score Card enables an annual monitoring of performance which will provide a year on year comparison of outputs from this applicant related to corporate priorities.

6. Recommendations:

7.1 That approval is given to partnership funding for 2009/10 for Marwell Wildlife Education service of £41,000.

CORPORATE OR LEGAL INFORMATION:

Links to the Corporate Strategy

CRITERIA FOR PARTNERSHIP FUNDING:

DETAILS OF PARTNERSHIP FUNDING APPLICATIONS: