Archived decisions

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

Decision Report

1. Executive Summary

1.1. The purpose of this paper is to consider an application for financial assistance from the Portchester Community Association from the Policy and Resources budget 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 £275,084, after grants approved at the last decision day, commitments made in previous years and sums earmarked for specific purposes. This sum also includes an increase of £96,000 from last year's underspend on Members' Devolved Grants.

2.2. At the last meeting in December, it was agreed to award a grant of £200 towards portable audio equipment for the New Forest branch of the Parkinson's Disease Society. Since then, the Society has requested that as another local branch already has one which they could use, they would like to obtain a projector for use in presentations, which they could also loan out to the community. In view of this, it is recommended that the change in use of this grant be approved.

3. Criteria of grant

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

4. Recommendations

4.1. That consideration be given to the application from Portchester Community Association for a grant towards equipment and IT software.

4.2. That the change in use of the £200 grant awarded to the New Forest branch of the Parkinson's Disease Society 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.

PORTCHESTER COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION

HOG ORG NO:1418

PURPOSES FOR WHICH FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IS SOUGHT

Purchase various items of equipment for the Portchester Community Association. Total cost: £4,410. Equipment includes:

Older people's Lunch and IT Clubs: chairs, IT software and improved access (£580)

Westlands Youth Club: Games and CD's (£780).

Andy Pandy Pre-School: additional computer, tables and chairs (£600)

Community Association general usage: chairs, computer for music and design (£2,450).

The Association has not approached any other body regarding funding for these items.

AMOUNT OF REQUEST

£4,410

PREVIOUS CONSIDERATION GIVEN BY OTHER EXECUTIVE MEMBERS AND GRANTS PREVIOUSLY AWARDED

This budget: Nil

COMMENTS OF LOCAL MEMBER

Councillor Roger Price is the local member.

GENERAL COMMENTS

Director of Culture, Communities and Rural Affairs: Comments to be reported at the meeting.

Chief Executive: The applicant has advised that all equipment purchased will be used in the new premises.

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