Report To Portfolio Holder for Sport and
Leisure
Subject:
Status:
Report Ref:
Ward(s):
Key Decision:
Key Decision Ref:
Report Of:
Contact:
Appendices:
Papers relied on
to produce this
report
April 2010
Leisure Initiatives Grants Scheme
Open
All
No
Head of Neighbourhood Development and Head of Strategy and
Innovation and Head of Environmental Care
Daniel Garnier, International Partnerships and Tourism Officer,
01256 845720, daniel.garnier@basingstoke.gov.uk
None
Grant Applications and supporting documents
SUMMARY
1
This Report
1.1
The purpose of this report is to consider applications for grant aid through the
Leisure Initiatives Grant Scheme.
1.2
The grant scheme criteria supports the council priority objectives by awarding
grants to voluntary and non-profit making organisations to develop new areas
of work that directly benefit residents of the borough by broadening access to
leisure.
2
Recommendation
It is recommended that:









a grant of up to £1,510 is made available to Basingstoke Area Youth
Orchestra to support an exchange with the Alençon Music School
a grant of up to £2,000 is made available to the Punch Group to support
the organisation of a pilot family event
a grant of up to £2,000 is made available to the Basingstoke Multicultural
Forum to support the organisation of a celebration of World Arts
a grant of up to £2,000 is made available to Basingstoke Concert Club to
support the organisation of family and young people’s events
a grant of up to £980 is made available to Aldworth Arrows Basketball
Club to support the organisation of an exchange with Braine-l’Alleud
a grant of up to £485 is made available to the Old Basing and Lychpit
Village Show Committee to support the organisation of an exchange with
Société d’Horticulture de l’Orne
a grant of up to £1,600 is made available to the North Hampshire Downs
Ramblers Group to support the creation of a long-distance path
a grant of up to £2,000 is made available to the Hants and IOW Wildlife
Trust to attend a biodiversity event in Alençon
a grant of up to £110 is made available to the Overton Biodiversity Society
to purchase weed killing equipment to maintain paths in Little Meadow
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
a grant of up to £100 is made available to the Kempshott Conservation
group to purchase a petrol generator to study the effects of conservation
work on red dot moths
PRIORITIES, IMPACTS AND RISKS
Contribution To Council Priorities
This report accords with the Council’s Budget and Policy Framework
Council Plan 08-11
Service Plan Ref 08/09
Other References:
A4, A8, A12, A13, A19
SI3.0
LAA targets: NI 20, NI 38, NI 120, LI, F3
Contribution To Community Strategy
Community Strategy Ref 06-16:
S4, H5, L2, L4, P3, E2, E6, C5, C6
Impacts
No
significant
impacts
Type
Impacts for Financial
BDBC
Personnel
Legal
Impacts on Equality and Diversity
Wellbeing
Crime and Disorder
Health
Environment
Economic
Involving
Communication/Consultation
Others
Partners
Some
impacts
Significant
impacts










Risk Assessment
Number of risks identified:
Number of risks considered HIGH or Medium:
Strategic:
Already identified on Corporate Risk Register?
Operational:
Already identified in Service Plans?
0
0
Yes
No
Yes
No


DETAIL/MAIN CONSIDERATIONS
3
Members will be aware that the Leisure Initiatives Grant Scheme has a
revenue budget of £43,600 for the 2010/11 financial year. No grants have
been awarded to date leaving an overall budget of £43,600 available for new
applications in 2010/11.
4
New Applications
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The following applications are now in a position to be presented for a
decision:
4.1
Applicant:
Friends of the Basingstoke Area Youth Orchestra
Scheme:
Exchange with Alençon
Lead Officer:
Daniel Garnier
Cost:
£9,360
Grant requested: £1,510
Previous grants:
a)
none
Application Summary
The Basingstoke Area Youth Orchestra (BAYO) has established a link with the
Alençon Music School and is organising an exchange with the school’s youth
orchestra. Around 55 performers will travel to Alençon on 24 June to take part
in rehearsals and joint performances in the town. The exchange aims to give
the musicians a first experience of a performance abroad and to interact with
young French people with similar interests. This is the first leg of the exchange
and BAYO will host the French orchestra in 2011.
The applicant is seeking funding to help towards travel and accommodation
costs.
b)
Support for Council Plan
A4 - Continue to support the provision of arts, sports and leisure in recognition
of their contribution to the local profile and economic prosperity
Maximise opportunities for the borough presented by the London 2012
Olympic and Paralympic Games
A12 - Work with the voluntary and community sector to support delivery of
enhanced services and to support new ways of working
c)
Financial Position
Reserves:
The friends of BAYO currently hold £11,787 in reserves. These are allocated to
other activities such as training weekends, purchase and repair of instruments
as well as underwriting for performances.
Project budget –
Expenditure
Travel – coach and ferry
Planning visit
Accommodation and subsistence
Activities (museum entrance fees, etc.)
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£4,055
£ 550
£4,255
£ 500
Total Costs
£9,360
Income
Participants contribution
Contribution from organisation
£6,600
£1,250
Grant requested
Total
£1,510
£9,360
d)
Comments
This is the first time BAYO has set up an exchange with Alençon and it is
hoped it will pave the way for a long-lasting co-operation between the two
orchestras. Beyond the benefits on a musical level, the participants will also
have the chance to interact with young people from another culture and take
part in cultural and social activities.
e)
Recommendation
It is recommended that up to £1,510 is made available to the Friends of
Basingstoke Area Youth Orchestra to support their exchange with Alençon.
4.2
Applicant:
The Punch Group
Sheme:
Punch and Judy Festival
Lead Officer:
Daniel Garnier
Cost:
£2,880
Grant Requested: £2,000
Previous Grants: None
a)
Application Summary
The Basingstoke Punch and Judy Festival has been held in Basingstoke’s
town centre for 15 consecutive years. However, it lacks recognition and profile.
The Punch Group has been constituted recently and the aim of this not-forprofit organisation is to expand and enhance the festival and attract a wider
audience. To this end, the Punch Group would like to organise a one-day free
event in Glebe Gardens called Punch’s Picnic. The event will bring together a
range of activities such as Punch and Judy shows, puppet-making workshops,
percussion workshops and a treasure hunt. The event will target families. The
applicant is seeking funding to help start up the Festival.
b)
Support for Council Plan
A4 – Continue to support the provision of arts, sports and leisure in recognition
of their contribution to the local profile and economic prosperity
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A12 - Work with the voluntary and community sector to support delivery of
enhanced services and to support new ways of working
A13 - Increase participation in sport and cultural activities by hard-to-reach
groups
c)
Financial Position
As this is a new organisation, there are currently no reserves.
Project budgetExpenditure
Insurance
Marketing and promotion
Punch and Judy shows (x5)
Workshops – craft and percussion
Performances – Morris dancing and organ
Stewarding – in kind
Total Costs
£ 250
£ 860
£ 900
£ 450
£ 180
£ 240
£2,880
IncomePunch and Judy show (x1) – in kind
Performance – organ – in kind
Marketing consultancy – in kind
Stewarding – in kind
Grant requested
Total Income
d)
£ 180
£ 80
£ 380
£ 240
£2,000
£2,880
Comments
The motivation behind this one-day pilot event is to gauge the feasibility of
turning the previously small-scale Punch and Judy Festival into a larger annual
event. It is hoped that the Festival as it grows will attract a regional audience
and help promote Basingstoke regionally. If the event is a success, the
organisers will ensure its sustainability through sponsorship, other funding
streams and fund-raising events.
e)
Recommendation
It is recommended that up to £2,000 is made available to the Punch Group to
support the organisation of Punch’s Picnic.
4.3
Applicant:
Basingstoke Multicultural Forum
Sheme:
Celebrating World Arts
Lead Officer:
Faye Bradley
Cost:
£3,450
Grant Requested: £2,000
Previous Grants: none
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a)
Application Summary
In partnership with ‘The Making’, a local crafts agency, the Basingstoke
Multicultural Forum are commissioning local creative talent to deliver
performances and community workshops as part of a Celebratory World Arts
event in June 2010. The event will include music and dance performances and
workshops. Using local arts practitioners Kala the Arts, the event will enable
young local amateur performers to develop their skills and enhance their talent.
The event will also bring together young people and adults from various
communities. The applicant is seeking funding to help cover the costs of
running the workshops.
c)
Support for Council Plan
A4 – Continue to support the provision of arts, sports and leisure in recognition
of their contribution to the local profile and economic prosperity
Maximise opportunities for the borough presented by the London 2012
Olympic and Paralympic Games
A12 - Work with the voluntary and community sector to support delivery of
enhanced services and to support new ways of working
A13 - Increase participation in sport and cultural activities by hard-to-reach
groups
A19 - Engage with the voluntary and community sector in the procurement and
delivery of activities, facilities and services that contribute to council priorities
c)
Financial Position
The applicant currently holds reserves of £6,000. These reserves are allocated
to contingency and to cover the administrator’s salary.
Project budgetExpenditure
Programming and management fees
Performance costs
Tabla Group
Workshops
Total Costs
£1,300
£ 700
£ 250
£1,200
£3,450
IncomeHCC Funding (confirmed)
Applicant’s contribution
Private sponsorship (not confirmed)
Grant requested
Total Income
d)
£1,000
£ 120
£ 330
£2,000
£3,450
Comments
This event will serve as a pilot project for closer collaboration between The
Making, Kala the Arts and the Basingstoke Multicultural Forum. They plan to
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develop a larger World Arts Festival in 2011 to support the planned
Basingstoke Festival and contribute to the town’s offer towards the Cultural
Olympiad for London 2012. This event would help the partner organisations to
explore their capacity and ability to work together and the feasibility of
developing a larger event.
e)
Recommendation
It is recommended that up to £2,000 is made available to the Basingstoke
Multicultural Forum to support the organisation of the World Arts event.
4.4
Applicant:
Basingstoke Concert Club
Scheme:
Young People’s Events
Lead Officer:
Ceri Adams
Cost:
£15,535
Grant requested: £2,000
Previous grants:
2005/06 – £500 for Family Funday concerts
2006/07 - £700 for website development
2007/08 - £300 for family concerts
2008/09 - £500 for young people’s events
a)
Application Summary
Basingstoke Concert Club offers a diverse annual programme of high-quality
chamber music concerts and workshops. In order to secure its future the Club
is continuing to seek new ways to diversify its audience-base and develop new
income streams. A key strand of its strategy is to engage with young people
and encourage their interest in chamber music.
Building on previous one-off family and young people’s events, funding will be
used to support a season of concerts, masterclasses and music workshops
specifically aimed at young people aged 12 to 20 years. The season will run
from September 2010 to March 2011. The six concerts will take place at
Central Studio and it is expected that a total audience of 500 will attend the
series. The Club is keen to build on the success of previous family concerts
and offer a more accessible programme, which they hope will make chamber
music more relevant / attractive to new audiences. In addition the Club will
also offer two workshops / master classes for up to 10 young musicians to
enable them to work with professional musicians and gain valuable experience.
The concert and the workshops / master classes will be promoted through a
variety of methods, including adverts in the main concert programmes, direct
mailings to teachers and schools / colleges, personal contacts with local
groups and posters and press ads as appropriate.
b)
Support for Council Plan
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A4 - continue to support the provision of arts, sports and leisure in recognition
of their contribution to the local profile and economic prosperity
A12 - Work with the voluntary and community sector to support delivery of
enhanced services and to support new ways of working
c)
Financial Position
Reserves– £10,700 (held to underwrite future concerts / activity)
Project budget –
Expenditure
Venue hire
Artists, piano hire and performing rights
Publicity and marketing and programmes
Administration
Catering
Insurance
Cavatina Chamber Music Trust membership
Total Costs
£ 1,545
£ 9,725
£ 2,980
£ 505
£ 650
£
30
£ 100
£15,535
Income
Ticket sales
Programme sales
Cavatina Chamber Music Trust
Hampshire & IOW Grassroots (confirmed)
HCC (not confirmed)
Club reserves
Grant requested
Total
d)
£ 7,570
£ 580
£ 628
£ 2,170
£ 2,000
£ 587
£ 2,000
£15,535
Comments
The total costs detailed above are for the complete series of concerts. The
applicant is only seeking funding to support the workshops and master classes
specifically targeted at younger people. The Club has a long-standing
relationship with the Cavatina Chamber Music Trust, which enables it to
provide free tickets to young people aged 8 to 18 years. In recent months the
Club has also successfully secured funding from Hampshire & IOW Grassroots
and is awaiting decision on an application to Hampshire County Council.
e)
Recommendation
It is recommended that a grant of up to £2,000 is made available to
Basingstoke Concert Club to support the family concert and young people’s
series.
4.5
Applicant:
Aldworth Arrows Basketball Club
Sheme:
Exchange with Castors Braine-l’Alleud
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Lead Officer:
Daniel Garnier
Cost:
£2,300
Grant Requested: £980
Previous Grants: 08/09 – exchange with Braine-l’Alleud - £1,000
a)
Application Summary
Aldworth Arrow Basketball club is seeking funds to assist with their
participation in an international tournament organised by Braine-l’Alleud.
Aldworth Arrows have had a link with Castors Braine-l’Alleud for more than ten
years and have exchanged regularly. An U16s girls and a senior women’s
team will take part in the project and travel to Belgium from 29 to 31 May 10. In
total 27 players and 8 coaches/officials will travel to Belgium. The club is
seeking assistance to help fund travel costs.
d)
Support for Council Plan
A4 – Continue to support the provision of arts, sports and leisure in recognition
of their contribution to the local profile and economic prosperity
Maximise opportunities for the borough presented by the London 2012
Olympic and Paralympic Games
A12 - Work with the voluntary and community sector to support delivery of
enhanced services and to support new ways of working
A13 - Increase participation in sport and cultural activities by hard-to-reach
groups
A19 - Engage with the voluntary and community sector in the procurement and
delivery of activities, facilities and services that contribute to council priorities
c)
Financial Position
The applicant currently holds no reserves and made a loss of ₤630 in 08/09.
Project budgetExpenditure
Travel – minibus and Eurotunnel
Travel – train fares (Eurostar)
Subsistence
Trophies
Total Costs
£ 785
£ 780
£ 600
£ 135
£2,300
IncomeParticipants’ contribution
Grant requested
Total Income
d)
£1,320
£ 980
£2,300
Comments
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The project also has a strong educational content as players will be hosted by
local families hence giving them the opportunity to learn about a different
culture. They will also interact with young people from other European
countries thus developing their intercultural understanding. The Aldworth
Arrows will also take part in coaching sessions run by the Castors who have
recently rejoined the Belgian National League thus making it a challenging
sporting opportunity. The Aldworth Arrows will host the Belgian team in June
10.
e)
Recommendation
It is recommended that up to £980 is made available to Aldworth Arrows
Basketball Club to support the organisation of an exchange with Castors
Braine-l’Alleud.
4.6
Applicant:
Old Basing and Lychpit Village Show Committee
Sheme:
Exchange with Société d’Horticulture de l’Orne
Lead Officer:
Daniel Garnier
Cost:
£1,235
Grant Requested: £485
Previous Grants: 08/09 – exchange with SHO - £380
09/10 – exchange with SHO - £475
a)
Application Summary
The applicant is seeking funding to help cover costs linked to hosting a visit
from members of the Société d’Horticulture de l’Orne as part of their longstanding exchange. This year, the exchange will take place from 18 to 20
June and 30 visitors will be hosted by families in Old Basing. The exchange
focuses on gardening and in addition to exchanging ideas and knowledge, the
participants will take part in visits to gardens in and around the region. The
exchange also has a strong social element and culminates in a final night
dinner where all the participants get together and perform a show they have
created prior to the exchange.
e)
Support for Council Plan
A4 – Continue to support the provision of arts, sports and leisure in recognition
of their contribution to the local profile and economic prosperity
A12 - Work with the voluntary and community sector to support delivery of
enhanced services and to support new ways of working
A19 - Engage with the voluntary and community sector in the procurement and
delivery of activities, facilities and services that contribute to council priorities
c)
Financial Position
The applicant currently holds reserves of £3,600. These are allocated to the
running of the annual village show.
10 of 19
Project budgetExpenditure
Catering
Gift
Hosting costs
Entrance fees to gardens
Total Costs
£ 400
£ 75
£ 560
£ 200
£1,235
IncomeParticipants’ contribution
Grant requested
Total Income
d)
£ 750
£ 485
£1,235
Comments
This is an annual exchange hosted one year by Alençon and the next by Old
Basing. Links have been developed over the years and it is probably one of
the strongest twinning links in the borough. Although the exchange is
organised under the banner of the Old Basing Village Show Committee, it is
open to the local community and the group hosting the Alençon visitors
includes non-members helping bring the community together. The event also
involves a large proportion of over 55s helping maintain their participation in
active leisure activities.
e)
Recommendation
It is recommended that up to £485 is made available to the Old Basing and
Lychpit Village Show Committee to support the organisation of an exchange
with Société d’Horticulture de l’Orne.
4.7
Applicant:
North Hampshire Downs Ramblers
Scheme:
The Parker Way
Lead Officer:
Karen Evans-Prosser
Cost:
£5,175
Grant requested: £1,600
Previous grants:
a)
None
Application Summary
The North Hampshire Downs Ramblers group are asking for assistance with
the creation of a long distance path of 86 miles across north Hampshire from
Andover to Aldershot, with short circular walks along the route. The path is
designed to promote and encourage walking in the area and is in memory of
Basingstoke resident and Ramblers activist Brenda Parker (1939 – 2008). The
Parker Way will use existing paths. The project aims to publicise the route by
arranging to have it shown on Ordnance Survey maps, by marking the length
11 of 19
of the route with way mark discs and by setting up a website to provide full
information and details of the path.
b)
Support for Council Plan
A4 - Improve the image of the borough as a place to live, work, invest, do
business and visit.
A7 - Become and remain a borough in which residents and visitors feel and are
safe in homes, at work, on streets, roads, rural lanes and countryside.
A8 - Improve provision of local leisure, cultural and community facilities, and
encourage and facilitate their use by local people and visitors.
A13
Achieve and sustain equality of access and opportunities across all aspects of
the council’s own activities and influence to ensure no one is excluded from the
general prosperity and wellbeing of the borough
A19 - Promote and secure effective commissioning, joint working and delivery
of shared services with other organisations including our strategic partners,
other local authorities, parish and town councils, the voluntary and community
sector and other partners.
c)
Financial Position
The Group has reserves of £677 (this money is being used for regular
expenditure incurred through annual running costs such as communication,
maintenance and promotion).
Project budget –
Expenditure
Purchase of way marking discs
Fixing discs incl’ transport to site
Temporary OS map licensing until route shown on OS maps
Liaison with Ordnance Survey
Setting up website
Website registration (3 yrs)
Web hosting (3 yrs)
Total Costs
£ 952
£1,500
£ 366
£1,000
£1,000
£ 18
£ 339
£5,175
Income
Assistance in kind from Hants CC rights of way team
Assistance in kind from NHD Ramblers Members
Additional fund raising within ramblers
Grant requested
Total Income
£1,000
£2,500
£ 75
£1,600
£5,175
d)
Comments
12 of 19
The path is a new initiative. The majority of the route is within Basingstoke
and Deane and will broaden access to leisure for residents of the borough by
providing opportunities for short circular walks of approximately 5 miles, full
linear sections of approx 10 miles using public transport, or completion of the
full walk over several days. Walking is a low cost activity which requires no
specialist equipment or particular skills and as such is open to all, including
priority sectors of the community. The route is being planned and will be
implemented by NHD Ramblers, a charitable organisation operating in
Basingstoke and Deane and not in receipt of annual funding.
Walking is the easiest and most accessible leisure activity which has major
proven physical and mental health benefits, such as addressing rising obesity
levels and helping to reduce stress and depression. The project aims to
promote walking as a new leisure activity to new walkers and encourage
existing walkers to explore new areas, walk longer distances and take up new
challenges.
The Parker Way will be available to every resident of the Borough irrespective
of membership of the Ramblers or other walking clubs. It is anticipated that
people from outside the borough will also use the routes.
The public rights of way are managed by the HCC Rights of Way team,
mainly in response to problems reported by the general public, these are
then prioritised. The greater anticipated use of these paths as a result of
people walking the Parker Way will in itself help keep the paths clear but also
give it a higher priority within the Rights of Way team's internal process. The
rest of the route is over land where there is established permitted access,
using existing tracks or paths already used by the public. These are
maintained by the landowner. On MoD and Forestry Commission land the
route largely follows tracks which are maintained to allow periodic vehicular
access for army training and forestry management. Around Fleet Pond the
route follows established and existing paths around the Nature Reserve. The
other sections in this category are a few urban paths and permissive paths
that are also already maintained. Within the Ramblers Groups there are
'parish reps' who periodically survey the paths in their parish and report
problems to the Right of Way team for action. For the non-public rights of
way they will also undertake separate checks and they will also help maintain
the way marking. The website will provide a link for reporting path problems
to the HCC Rights of Way team.
With regard to the website, after 3 years, the annual funding of £120 for the
website will be budgeted within and met from Group funds. The North
Hampshire Downs Ramblers Group is an active group of walkers with an
active committee, which includes a webmaster who is responsible for
maintaining our website with information of relevance to our membership and
beyond. He is experienced with building websites for his business and has
volunteered to load the data for the Parker Way website and maintain it into
the future. The post of webmaster is integral to the group’s activities, and
while he has no plans to stand down, at some point he will relinquish the post
but it is expected that someone else would be found to fill the position,
particularly as this knowledge has become more widely available.
e)
Recommendation
It is recommended that a grant of up to £1,600 is awarded to the North
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Hampshire Downs Ramblers to provide additional and clearly marked walking
routes within the Borough, for use by residents and visitors alike.
4.8
Applicant:
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust
Scheme:
Biodiversity event in Alencon
Lead Officer:
Karen Evans-Prosser
Cost:
£3,668
Grant requested: £2,000
Previous grants:
a)
None
Application Summary
The Hants and Isle of Wight Wildlife Group are asking for assistance to enable
eleven conservation volunteers to take part in a biodiversity event in
Basingstoke’s twin town of Alencon in June. The Wildlife Trust equivalent; the
Association Faune et Flore de l’Orne is organising biodiversity open days on 5
and 6 June 2010.
The event will focus on urban biodiversity and will entail a biodiversity survey in
the town of Alençon. The event is open to everyone. They will set up a
laboratory in central Alençon where people will meet throughout the event and
there will also be information stands from various organisations linked to
biodiversity as well as various activities such as exhibitions, slide shows, talks,
etc.
The event is free so the Trust is looking for support with travel, accommodation
and subsistence costs.
c)
Support for Council Plan
A4 - Improve the image of the borough as a place to live, work, invest, do
business and visit.
A8 - Improve provision of local leisure, cultural and community facilities, and
encourage and facilitate their use by local people and visitors.
A12
Have greater engagement of residents, local enterprises and organisations in
the life, wellbeing and future development of their neighbourhoods and
communities.
A19 - Promote and secure effective commissioning, joint working and delivery
of shared services with other organisations including our strategic partners,
other local authorities, parish and town councils, the voluntary and community
sector and other partners.
c)
Financial Position
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The Trust has reserves of £ 251889 (180000 of this is restricted income
received in the year to be spent in the following year on the specific projects)
and savings of £951,293 free unrestricted reserves (Unrestricted reserves are
meant to cover between 8 and 12 months unrestricted expenditure as per the
Trust’s Reserves policy – this level currently represents 7 months worth.).
Project budget –
Expenditure
Travel
Accommodation
Subsistence
Volunteer time – in kind – 264 hours.
Total Costs
£ 836
£ 640
£ 660
£1,532
£3,668
Income
Additional funds from BDBC Supporting Volunteers budget
Volunteer time – in kind – 264 hours.
Grant requested
Total Income
£ 136
£1,532
£2,000
£3,668
d)
Comments
In 2009 Basingstoke Conservation Volunteers were invited to speak at the
sustainability conference in Alencon and links with other twin towns were
developed. It is planned that in October 2010 the Borough will host a
conservation twinning event which the Wildlife Trust will be supporting. This
trip to Alencon would be the precursor to that exchange.
Earlier this year the United Nations declared 2010 to be the International Year
of Biodiversity http://www.cbd.int/2010/welcome/ a celebration of life on earth
and of the value of biodiversity for our lives. This event in Alencon provides a
great opportunity to share working practice and experiences and learn about
and form the biodiversity challenges faced by our European neighbours and
how they foster the importance of biodiversity in an urban setting.
The Trust receive funding from the Council in support of specific projects.
Each project is subject to a service level agreement. This money is outside the
scope of this grant application.
e)
Recommendation
It is recommended that a grant of up to £2000 is awarded to the Wildlife Trust
to pay for travel, accommodation and subsistence costs, allowing conservation
volunteers to participate fully in this visit.
4.9
Applicant:
Overton Biodiversity Society
Scheme:
Little Meadow, Overton
Lead Officer:
Karen Evans-Prosser
Cost:
£400
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Grant requested: £110
Previous grants:
a)
None
Application Summary
The Overton Biodiversity Society http://www.overton-biodiversity.org/society/ is
asking for help with the purchase of a ‘Parasene’ professional weed wand,
safety kit and gas regulator to enable them to more efficiently manage weeds
along paths in Little Meadow, Overton. The society’s volunteers maintain the
meadow on behalf of the Parish Council and for the enjoyment of local
residents and visitors as well as wildlife.
d)
Support for Council Plan
A4 - Improve the image of the borough as a place to live, work, invest, do
business and visit.
A8 - Improve provision of local leisure, cultural and community facilities, and
encourage and facilitate their use by local people and visitors.
A11
Ensure the needs of specific groups are fully considered in planning and
delivery of services, including young people, older people, rural and urban
communities and minority groups
A12
Have greater engagement of residents, local enterprises and organisations in
the life, wellbeing and future development of their neighbourhoods and
communities.
A19 - Promote and secure effective commissioning, joint working and delivery
of shared services with other organisations including our strategic partners,
other local authorities, parish and town councils, the voluntary and community
sector and other partners.
c)
Financial Position
The Society has reserves of £870.52 (this money is being used for regular
expenditure incurred through annual running costs such as insurance,
communication and promotion).
Project budget –
Expenditure
Parasene professional weed wand
Safety kit
Gas regulator
Volunteer time – in kind – 50 hours.
Total Costs
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£ 82
£ 10
£ 18
£290
£400
Income
Volunteer time – in kind – 50 hours.
Grant requested
Total Income
d)
£290
£110
£400
Comments
The society was formed in 2004 by residents with an interest in their
surrounding environment and its associated biodiversity. It was a formalisation
of the structure of the Biodiversity Group formed in 2003. It is a member of the
Basingstoke Conservation Forum.
Its aims are to produce a record of the habitat found within the Parish and the
species associated with them. To heighten awareness of the rich variety of
wildlife found locally, and create opportunities for people to learn more about
wildlife and wildlife issues. The society does a lot of work with schools and
community organisations, has created nature trails, holds family events (one
regular event being the annual picnic in Little Meadow) and has recently
finished writing the Overton Parish Biodiversity Action Plan.
Once purchased, the equipment will be made available to other conservation
groups active in the borough.
e)
Recommendation
It is recommended that a grant of £110 is awarded to the Overton Biodiversity
Society to pay for weed killing equipment helping them to maintain the paths
more efficiently for use by local residents and visitors.
4.10
Applicant:
Kempshott Conservation Group
Scheme:
Purchase of Petrol Generator
Lead Officer:
Karen Evans-Prosser
Cost:
£332
Grant requested: £100
Previous grants:
a)
Start up grant of £2,000 in Feb 2007
Application Summary
The Kempshott Conservation Group is asking for help with the purchase of a
petrol generator to enable them to enable moth surveys to be carried out away
form a source of mains electricity on the borough’s conservation sites, LNRs,
parks and open spaces.
e)
Support for Council Plan
A4 - Improve the image of the borough as a place to live, work, invest, do
business and visit.
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A8 - Improve provision of local leisure, cultural and community facilities, and
encourage and facilitate their use by local people and visitors.
A11
Ensure the needs of specific groups are fully considered in planning and
delivery of services, including young people, older people, rural and urban
communities and minority groups
A12
Have greater engagement of residents, local enterprises and organisations in
the life, wellbeing and future development of their neighbourhoods and
communities.
c)
Financial Position
The Group has reserves of £1,064 (this money is being used for regular
expenditure incurred through annual running costs such as insurance,
communication, native shrub and tree purchases, training and promotion).
Project budget –
Expenditure
Petrol generator
Volunteer time – in kind – 40 hours
Total Costs
£100
£232
£332
Income
Volunteer time – in kind – 40 hours
Grant requested
Total Income
£232
£100
£332
d)
Comments
Formed in 2006, the group’s efforts are directed to enriching the wildlife value
of three sites in the east of Kempshott – close to the Down Grange sports and
leisure complex:
• Down Grange Meadow adjacent to St Marks Church
• Old Orchard, Kendal Gardens
• Old Hedgerow which runs between Down Grange and Coniston Road
Although only three years old, the group has achieved a lot, and successes
include re-establishing fruit and nut trees in the Old Orchard to maintain the
heritage of a unique, and overlooked, corner of Kempshott, creating a new
Community Copse in Down Grange Meadow and encouraging Common
Spotted Orchid & Cornflower to flower for the first time.
The group regularly carry out butterfly transects in the meadow and other flora
surveys and are keen to extend this work to include moths.
Once purchased the equipment will be made available to other conservation
groups active in the borough, through the Basingstoke Conservation Network.
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e)
Recommendation
It is recommended that a grant of £100 is awarded to the Group to pay for the
generator helping them to monitor the effects of their conservation work with
rare moths.
5
Financial Considerations
5.1
Currently £43,600 is uncommitted in the Leisure Initiatives revenue grant
budget for 2010/11. If the recommendation to award the grants as outlined in
the report is approved then a total of £12,785 will be allocated and the
uncommitted balance will reduce to £30,815
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