Meeting documents

CHILTERN DISTRICT COUNCIL

OPEN INFORMATION ITEM

COMMUNITY GRANTS

Contact Officer: Jan Longhurst (01494 732144)

Matter for Consideration

Allocation of Community Grants

Financial Implications

Should the Officer’s recommendations be implemented the total cost will be £26,448. This will be financed from the existing grants budget.

Legal Implications

The Local Government Act 2000 requires that a Local Authority consider the economic, social and environmental wellbeing of its area. In doing this, the Authority therefore has the powers available to provide funding should it consider the matter to meet this objective.

Risk Implications

Should funding not be allocated to community and voluntary organisations the services identified in the report may not go ahead, reducing the community benefit in the area.

Report

At the Executive of the 2nd September 2003 it was agreed that any decisions on the award of community grants falling below the Key Decision Threshold (£30,000) be delegated to the Portfolio Holder for Community First. It was also agreed that a process be developed to enable all Members to have input prior to a decision being made and for Members to be informed of the decision.

The procedure that has been developed is that a report on the applications is circulated to all Members, 14 days prior to a decision being made by the Portfolio Holder. In addition copies of the grant applications and their scoring sheets would be placed in the Members' Room.

The grant applications are considered against the criteria and scoring system previously agreed by the Executive. Any application receiving less than 70 points would not be recommended for grant aid.  The final decision regarding approval of applications remains with the Members. All comments or recommendations regarding any application should be made by email, phone or in writing to the Head of Health and Housing, Martin Holt.

Community Grants applications April 2005

Applications amounting to £46,000 have been received for the 2005 round of community grants, against an available budget of £26,444.

The Officer’s recommendations would allow those applications scoring 70 or more under the Community Grants criteria to receive 80% of the funding applied for.  Should the Officer’s recommendations be implemented the total cost will be financed from the existing grants budget.  An alternative approach would be to raise the threshold and reduce the number of organisations receiving support.

Vitalise  (previously known as The Winged Fellowship Trust)

Community Grant Score 72

Application for a contribution of £597, towards the costs of a week long annual care break for 17 people from Chiltern District together with their carers, and a volunteer from the district. The application is for 10% of the cost of this activity which totals £5,968. The project would support the key Council objective of promoting a healthy community through supporting the provision of services to older and younger people and supporting an active and effective voluntary sector.

Bucks Association for Mental Health

Community Grant Score 77

This project will help improve the employment opportunities for people experiencing severe mental health difficulties. Approximately 40 people will be supported as employees or volunteers on community based projects. The project will operate in the Chiltern District area and will provide specialist training courses for clients and employers. The total project costs are £4,370 for which a grant of £2,000 is sought. The project would support the key Council objective of promoting the good health of local people and tackling health inequalities, and supporting an active and effective voluntary sector.

The Sharing Project 

Community Grant Score 89

The furniture project provides household goods and furniture to many households in Chiltern District especially those being housed following homeless application. Over 65% of their work has been in support of families in the Pond Park area, and more specifically residents of Tom Scott House and the homelessness hostels in Bellingdon Road. The project is seeking a grant of £2,000 against the total costs of £20,900. The project would support the key Council objective of promoting the good health of local people and tackling health inequalities, supporting an active and effective voluntary sector and in providing effective services for vulnerable people.  This project also assists the authority in preserving the environment by reducing waste and promoting recycling

Community Initiative - Parenting Courses  

Community Grant Score 70

Parenting courses have been identified as an effective method of helping to reduce crime and disorder, improve life chances, and is one of the central planks of the every child matters strategy being developed by all authorities.  This application for £2,000 will support the running costs of a £2,793 project which has delivered parenting courses to over 250 families in Chiltern District over the past 4 years. It trains volunteers to work with parents and is now extending the programme of parenting for parents of teenagers, where there is currently limited provision for this age group.

Over the last 4 years Gold Hill Baptist Church has developed a parenting programme that has supported over 200 families within the community. The proposed courses will support parents with teenagers develop skills in conflict management, communication, listening to teenagers and encourage greater community participation. The project works closely with health visitors and Thames Valley Police.

The project would support the key Council objective of promoting the good health of local people and tackling health inequalities, supporting an active and effective voluntary sector and in providing effective services for vulnerable people.

Community Initiative - Divorce and Separation Recovery

Community Grant Score 77

An application for £2,000 against a project cost of £2,468 to provide divorce and separation recovery courses which will provide help and support to couples undergoing relationship breakdown reduce the impact on children and family life. This project has a real impact on improving people’s mental health, reducing the risk of homelessness and debt, whilst assisting people through a very difficult period in their lives. The project has assisted 75 individuals per year access courses plus helped children/grandparents and families come to terms with the emotional trauma involved. The project works closely with Social Services, CHHA, solicitors and health visitors.

The project would support the key Council objective of promoting the good health of local people and tackling health inequalities, supporting an active and effective voluntary sector and in providing effective services for vulnerable people.

Chesham Museum – The Stables 

Community Grant Score 57

A grant application for £2,000, towards the £5,000 costs identified to develop a portable display, publicity materials and improve the website. The application failed to achieve the funding criteria on the following grounds.

Whilst a new initiative the application and has provided no evidence of need or support for its identified use with schools, young people or intergenerational groups. It is also unclear whether this organisation has engaged with the Market Town Health Check process to support the development of a service infrastructure or identify local community priorities. The application does not identify the partnership working involved to deliver the project and has not secured a confirmed funding package.  

It is recommended that the Communities Support Officer assists the group with funding advice to seek the possibility of other funding sources.

Cruse Bereavement Care

Community Grant Score 81

Cruse Bereavement Care provides counselling services and support to a wide range of people who have experienced bereavement, through its; 24 hour helpline, one to one counselling services and support groups e.g. the suicide support group. All services are provided free of charge to clients. Cruse Bereavement Care also supports the development of local volunteering through training courses for counsellors. Application is for £2,000 against project costs of £15,750.

The project would support the key Council objective of promoting the good health of local people and tackling health inequalities, supporting an active and effective voluntary sector and in providing effective services for vulnerable people.

Hilltop News.  

Community Grant Score 25

A grant application in the sum of £2,000 towards the running costs of a free community newsletter provided to the rural villages of Cholesbury, St Leonards, and Hawridge. The project has developed considerably over the past two years and is now providing a newsletter with 50 pages of community news and information. They do obtain some funding from advertising but wish to maintain the free provision of the newsletter, through grant support, rather than charging residents. Total project costs £6,790, the project has been previously funded by the Council to help develop a high quality newsletter in order to attract increased advertising revenue and provide sustainable funding.

Society for Mucopolysaccharide Diseases 

Community Grant Score 71

A grant application for the sum of £697 against a project cost of £730 towards the costs of training 70 volunteers from the Chiltern District area in moving and handling patients. The society provides volunteers to work with families of children with terminal and life threatening illness in the local area.

The project would support the key Council objective of promoting the good health of local people and tackling health inequalities, supporting an active and effective voluntary sector and in providing effective services for vulnerable people.

Chesham Bois Village Appraisal Group  

Community Grant Score 61

A grant application in the sum of £2,000 towards the running costs of a free community newsletter provided to Chesham Bois. The project was previously identified by community appraisal and received funding from the district council to establish the newsletter and seek advertising support in order to achieve sustainable funding. The total project costs are £2,200.

Great Kingshill Village Hall

Community Grant Score 46

Application for a grant of £1,500 towards the costs of replacing emergency doors, rebuilding ladies toilets re-flooring and the provision of a replacement window to the community hall.  

The property resides in Wycombe District Council area but is used by Chiltern District residents.

The project is mainly for statutory requirements and there is no evidence of need identified by the community, such as a community appraisal. Other community facilities are believed to exist in the local area and are within Chiltern District. Total project costs £19,635.

The project is not recommended for funding but to receive support from Council officers in partnership with Wycombe officers to seeking alternative sources of funding.

Rotary Club

Community Grant Score 54

A grant application in the sum of £500 in respect of the running costs of a one off technology tournament for young people in Chiltern. Past reports have stated that 120 young people have participated in the project but the application had little information provided to identify how vulnerable, disadvantaged and excluded young people could participate.

Other funding sources exist for such projects aimed at developing skills for young people, it is recommended that Officers support application by the group to those sources.

Rushymead Hospice 

Community Grant Score 77

A grant application in the sum of £2,000 towards the running costs of the Volunteer Companion scheme. This scheme supports people experiencing terminal or life limiting illness, the volunteers support patients and families in their own homes. They provide support to up to 50 patients per week in the Chiltern district area. Total project costs £6,300.

The project would support the key Council objective of promoting the good health of local people and tackling health inequalities, supporting an active and effective voluntary sector and in providing effective services for vulnerable people.

MARES

Community Grant Score 79

A grant application for the sum of £2,000 towards the running costs of a new social enterprise scheme for Asian women in the Chiltern District area. Total project costs are believed to be £7,650. The project will access adult education support by the use of ESOL tutors.

The project has been developed as a result of the Asian project worker engaging with the local community, taking them to the project and engaging them in new activities. The women identified the need for different types of clothing and wish to make them themselves, with a view to selling them in the future and making the project self-financing in two years time.

The project would support the key Council objective of promoting the good health of local people and tackling health inequalities, supporting an active and effective voluntary sector and in providing effective services for vulnerable people.

Chalfont St Giles Youth Club

Community Grant Score 75

The youth club has totally refurbished the building providing facilities for a local mother and toddler group and an elderly person’s lunch club.

The club is seeking a grant application of £1,000 to provide sports equipment to support a wide range of activities for young people.

The club is working with other groups including; Bucks Association of Clubs for Young People to raise the total project costs of £2,239.

The project would support the key Council objective of promoting the good health of local people and tackling health inequalities, supporting an active and effective voluntary sector and in providing effective services for vulnerable people

Workaid

Community Grant Score 74

Work aid a local international charitable organisation is seeking a grant of £1,400 towards the costs of the £1,900 cost of a laptop computer and projector. The equipment will enable volunteers to encourage greater participation in its recycling projects.  

This project also assists the key Council objectives of preserving the environment by reducing waste and promoting recycling and supporting an active and effective voluntary sector.

Chesham Older Persons Action Group

Community Grant Score 75

Recently established the Chesham OPAG has contributed greatly to the range of activities, networking and support for older people locally. The group organises various activities for older people in Chesham and acts as a voice for their issues and concerns. This group has been involved in the Chesham Festival, Chesham Vision and is often used as a consultee by the District Council on draft policies and strategies.

Chesham OPAG is seeking a grant of £865 towards the running costs of the group estimated to be £1,595/yr. Their committee members are being supported by CDC officers to access other funding and increase the range of activities they are providing for older people.

The project would support the key Council objective of promoting a healthy community through supporting the provision of services to older and younger people and supporting an active and effective voluntary sector.

Way In (Chiltern Youth Matters)  

Community Grant Score 81

Way in supports 872 young people access information on sexual health, employment, training, relationship, and mental and physical health. The organisation is mainly supported by the County and provides the head lease and office management role in the one stop shop occupied by Housing Interaction Trust, Connexions and Way In, based in Chesham.

The organisation is currently looking to expand the range of skills its counsellor’s offer and to provide more support in rural areas, as identified by the County Youth strategy.

Application has been made for a grant of £2,000 towards the running costs of the organisation; support the costs of volunteer training and in establishing a rural outreach service amounting to £69,441.

The project would support the key Council objective of promoting a healthy community through supporting the provision of services to older and younger people and supporting an active and effective voluntary sector.

Iain Rennie Hospice at Home

Community Grant Score 79

Iain Rennie Hospice typically provides assistance to 9 children and their families per year from Chiltern District. The Hospice serves the whole of Herts and Bucks, providing care for terminally ill children or the families of bereaved children.

Application has been made for £2,000 towards the annual running costs of £250,000.

The project would support the key Council objective of supporting the provision of services to older and younger people and supporting an active and effective voluntary sector.

Chesham Environmental Group

Community Grant Score 77

The group is working closely with the community and other partners, such as BTCV to improve the local environment in Chesham. Recent projects have included the clearance and restoration of the river Chess. Approximately 40 volunteers undertook the removal of material from the river improving the appearance to the watercourse. The group has applied for £500 to support the £900 costs of purchasing litter pickers, waders, drag hooks and other equipment required for river cleaning. The group is to be involved in the chalk streams project and Chess Valley work to maintain the local environment.

This project also assists the key Council objectives of preserving the environment and supporting an active and effective voluntary sector

Timebreaker

Community Grant Score 92

Timebreaker runs a week long event each summer for young people of all ages from the Chalfonts. The themes this year are around recycling and waste minimisation. The event helps build new skills for young people and supports the improved community capacity, team building, and self esteem required to support the community infrastructure and reduce the risk of crime and disorder.

Application is for £2,000 towards the costs of children’s and young people’s activity week in the Chalfonts.

The project would support the key Council objectives of preserving the environment, supporting the provision of services to older and younger people and supporting an active and effective voluntary sector.

Age Concern Bucks

Community Grant Score -Club support 51, befriending 73, advocacy 80, and welfare benefits 81

Four grant applications in the sum of £2,000 each towards the costs of supporting projects providing welfare benefits, advocacy, befriending and local groups to older people.

Age concern has secured the Community Legal Services Quality Mark for its information and advice support which include all of the above services. District wide the organisation supports 280 people with advocacy, has 167 volunteers providing 25000 of volunteering to the community. Many of its clients are the most hard to reach who require access to befrienders for day top day support. The service complements the work of CAB, the Pensions Service and Welfare Officer through providing benefits advice and support to maximise income levels. Age concern also supports the local groups with training information and access to Criminal record Bureau checks

The total cost of the 4 projects is £41,440 and when scored against the grant criteria would achieve the above scores. The club support whilst valuable does not on its own score above the 70 points required to provide funding under the grants criteria. It is therefore recommended that this aspect does not receive support.

The project would support the key Council objectives of supporting the provision of services to older people and supporting an active and effective voluntary sector.

Age Concern branches in Prestwood and Gt Missenden

Community Grant Score 73

These two clubs support a total of 83 older people per month an opportunity to socialise and network in safety. The clubs also enable service providers to access vulnerable persons and provide information and advice. Senior safety held in Gt Missenden assisted 72 people to access information relating to falls, security, safety, nutrition and exercise. Senior safety worked with these clubs to target friends and neighbours who didn’t attend to enable access to information for the most vulnerable of residents.

Application has been made by Prestwood and Gt Missenden lunch clubs for £1,000 each towards the costs of supporting their lunch clubs held in Prestwood, Kingshill and Gt Missenden.

These projects support the key Council objective of supporting the provision of services to older and younger people and supporting an active and effective voluntary sector.

Background papers

Application forms and score sheets available in the Members’ room.

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