Agenda item

Report of the Corporate Director (Housing and Communities) detailing the applications for Community Grants.

 

Eight applications from voluntary groups had been received for Annual Community Grants. These grants were limited to a maximum of £20,000 per application, however, the Board was able to increase this should it be deemed appropriate.

 

The total amount available for Grants Panel to allocate for the financial year 2020/21 was £218,270. These funds were split into Annual Grants and Small Community Grants.

The amount ring fenced for Small Community Grants was £44,000, Citizens Advice had a ring fenced budget of £95,000 and the overall budget available for Annual Grants was £79, 270.

 

The total value of all eight applications exceeded the budget available.

 

Breaks Manor Youth and Community Centre

 

Breaks Manor Youth and Community Centre had applied for a grant of £10,500 to reinstate damaged areas of fencing around the perimeter of the Centers field area.

 

The Board appreciated that the Center did a lot of good work, particularly with young people and would need to make the grounds secure. They also recognized the need to provide recreational facilities for young people.

 

Due to concerns about sustainability of the project, the Board felt that the Center should be advised to use the reinstated fenced amenity space to provide additional sustainable income.

 

AGREED a grant of £10,500.

 

Cuffley Hall Management Committee

 

Cuffley Hall Management Committee had applied for a grant of £1000 for the cost of replacing the Small Hall floor which was over 30 years old.

 

The Board would have liked detailed information on the demographic of users and charges for users.

 

The Board unanimously agreed to refuse the application due to budget restraints but would like to encourage Cuffley Hall Management Committee to make an application for a Small Community Grant, including details of users and charges for users.

 

REFUSED the application.

 

Welwyn Hatfield Community Volunteer Service

 

WHCVS had applied for a grant of £19000 to support the services they provided including the Community Car Scheme, Volunteer Centre, Let’s Chat and support to the voluntary sector.

 

Due to budget restraints and other higher priority Community Grant applications, the Board could not grant the full amount applied for but would encourage the WHCVS to apply for a Small Community Grant in addition to the Annual Grant.

 

AGREED a grant of £9000.

 

Hertfordshire Practical Parenting Programme CIC (HPPP)

 

HPPP had applied for a grant of £4938.44 to pay for specialist speakers to provide advice and guidance to parents. The funding would also be used to pay for the venue in which to hold the support group and to buy resources for children accompanying their parents.

 

The Board appreciated the work of HPPP but had concerns about the sustainability of the project. The Board felt that the cost of the speakers were very high and could be reviewed.

 

AGREED a grant of £3938.44.

 

Home-Start Hertfordshire

 

Home-Start Hertfordshire had applied for a grant of £12217 to be used to fund a home-vising service, using family Mentors from the local community for 20 families (approximately 48 children).

 

The Board noted that Home-Start Hertfordshire was a highly regarded organization that had a very good track record on delivering a good service. However, the Board did have concerns about the sustainability of the project.

 

AGREED a grant of £12217.

 

Isabel Hospice

 

Isabel Hospice had applied for a grant of £9827 to support their current Living Well programme and to fund a new 12 week Otago Falls Prevention course for people with long term life-limiting conditions.

 

The Board commented that as a health service, other funding streams were available. On balance, other applications provided more value to a greater number of residents and similar help was available elsewhere on the NHS.  With limited funds available to support community projects, the Board felt unable to support the application. 

 

REFUSED the application.

 

The Recover Team Ltd

 

The Recover Team Ltd had applied for a grant of £14456 to fund the costs of opening the Recover workshop for an additional day per week.

 

The Board felt that this wonderful project had worked hard networking with other organisations to develop the business and had become a big success. They were impressed by the projects positive community work to accelerate the recovery of adults who have completed treatment for addictions or mental health issues.

 

AGREED a grant of £14456.

 

Welwyn Hatfield Women’s Refuge (WHWR) and Support Services

 

WHWR had applied for a grant of £34134 to fund Outreach & Resettlement Worker salary, training and external clinical supervision and Drop-in premises rent, telecoms and office costs.

 

The Board agreed that WHWR provided a vital, life-saving service. The Board would encourage WHWR to apply for a Small Community Grant for £2000 of funding for training.

 

AGREED a grant of £29158.56

 

RESOLVED

 

That Community Grants should be paid as follows:

 

Organisation	Amount Sought	Amount Granted
Breaks Manor Youth and Community Centre	£10500	£10500
Cuffley Hall	£1000	£0
Welwyn Hatfield Community Volunteer Service	£19000	£9000
Hertfordshire Practical Parenting Programme CIC	£4938.44	£3938.44
Home-Start Hertfordshire	£12217	£12217
Isabel Hospice	£9827	£0
The Recover Team Ltd	£14456	£14456
Welwyn Hatfield Women’s Refuge and Support Services	£34134	£29158.56
Allocation to Citizens Advice		£95000
Small Grants Budget		£44000
Annual and Small Grants Budget		£218270