Item 9
Report to Scrutiny Board
Date: 25 September 2008
Report of: Director of Customer Services
Subject: NEIGHBOURHOOD INITIATIVES FUNDING
SUMMARY
The Scrutiny Board is invited to review three new funding applications to the Neighbourhood Initiatives Fund. The applications are:
(a) A bid put forward by the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust for the sum of £4,526.50 to support the creation of 230 metres of new paths as part of the Swanwick Lakes Access Project. (b) A bid put forward by St. Edmunds Crofton Old Church for the sum of £7,475 to support the historic conservation and restoration of six Edwardian and Victorian monuments and tombstones in the old burial ground. (c) A bid put forward by Portsmouth Housing Association and Hampshire County Council Fareham Youth Team for the sum of £6,053 to support a Broadlaw Walk local Community Mural Project. In reviewing these bids, the Board is asked to consider whether it wishes to submit comments and a recommendation for consideration by the Executive.
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INTRODUCTION
1. This report provides details of three applications within the Council’s Neighbourhood Initiatives Funding Programme.
NEIGHBOURHOOD INITIATIVES FUNDING
2. Fareham Borough Council has introduced ward based community meetings in the Borough. The initiative was launched in September 2007 and is known as Community Action Team (CAT) meetings.
3. There are five Community Action Teams across the Borough and each meeting is chaired by a local ward councillor. The main objective is to help the Council understand what the public want in their communities and provide an opportunity to inform residents of important developments. They are a channel for other public partners such as the Police to convey key messages, engage more fully with the community, and hear community concerns and issues. They will also enable community members to join the Council in building a better future for all in the Borough.
4. Fareham Borough Council allocated a total of £70,000 for Neighbourhood Initiatives projects to be supported through the CATs meetings. Presently, there is £21,509 of the original year one budget remaining. A further £55,000 has been added for 2008/09.
EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST RECEIVED TO DATE-
5. To date there have been 64 expressions of interest submitted. These break down into the CAT areas as follows:-
Expressions of Fareham Titchfield Crofton Portchester Western Interest Town CAT CAT CAT CAT Wards CAT
19 7 7 12 19
SUCCESSFUL BIDS TO DATE
6. To date there have been 20 successful bids. These break down into the CAT areas as follows:-
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CATs AREA PROJECTS AWARDED GRANT AWARDED
Fareham Town CAT Fareham Boxing Club- £987 Equipment. Total £11,386 Fareham Community Church- two laptops for £920 youth inclusion project.
X-Perience Young Persons Centre- £2,500 refurbishment project
Neighbourhood Watch- £116 signs at Highlands Road
Heathfield School- campus day event £1,000
Fareham Youth Team and Young People- decoration of 3 skate parks £5,863 Titchfield CAT Titchfield Bonfire Boys £5,000 Society - running the 2008 Total £5,000 Titchfield Carnival
Crofton CAT Stubbington Residents- £1,350 resurfacing of a grassed Total £1,696 area
Rotary Club of Fareham- £346 hot water system
Portchester CAT Portchester Precinct £12,000 Revamp Total £15,538.38 Portchester Community Association- tables and £638.38 chairs
Portchester Community Association- coffee £400 machine
Northern Junior School- environmental pond £2,500 project
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- 4 - Western Wards CAT Sarisbury Residents £500 Association- replacement Total £14,872.20 2nd Locks Heath Scout Group- Laser Copier £170
Warsash Resident- 2 replacement trees in Newtown Road Warsash £500
Park Gate Residents- replacement seating, Middle Road £5,143
Warsash Residents Association- replacement £5,359.20 lighting column
Sarisbury Residents Association- flower £2,200 troughs
Warsash Residents Association- Solent Way £1,000 rural footpath
Total amount of Neighbourhood Initiative Funding awarded:
£48,491
BIDS FOR REVIEW
7. Members are invited to review the following neighbourhood initiatives funding bids:-
(a) The bid put forward by Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust for the sum of £4,526.50 to support the creation of 230 metres of new paths as part of the Swanwick Lakes Access Project. (b) The bid put forward by St. Edmunds Crofton Old Church for the sum of £7,475 to support the historic conservation and restoration of six Edwardian and Victorian monuments and tombstones in the old burial ground; and (c) The bid put forward by Portsmouth Housing Association and Hampshire County Council Fareham Youth Team for the sum of £6,053 to support a Broadlaw Walk local community mural project.
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- 5 - The CREATION OF 230 METRES OF NEW PATHS, SWANWICK lakes CENTRE and Wildlife Reserve. Details of the Bid
8. The application is for £4,526.50 to support the creation of 230 metres of new paths as part of the Swanwick Lakes Access Project.
9. Swanwick Lakes Centre and Wildlife Reserve is a partnership between Hampshire Wildlife Trust and National Air Traffic Transport Services Limited. Since 1991, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust have managed the area as a wildlife reserve. The flooded clay pits, woodland, and meadow provide a mixture of habitats for wildlife on this 89-acre former clay extraction site for Bursledon Brickworks. The area is designated as a site of importance for nature and conservation in Hampshire.
10. As well as the creation of 1,301 metres of paths the project will include (subject to additional funding) a new pond and dipping platform, production of trail leaflets, computer equipment, re-surfacing and re-grading of existing access paths, construction of new access routes, and access facilities for use by visitors with a disability.
11. The total cost of the project is £45,265 and is dependant on securing funding from BIFFA who will consider funding 90% of the project’s overall cost on the proviso that 10% has already been secured from another source.
12. Over 2,500 children visit the centre and reserve per year a number of those being from schools across the borough. Many local residents also visit throughout the year.
13. The Trust considers the project’s completion will improve access for people with disabilities and enhance the overall experience of visitors to the centre and reserve.
Corporate Objectives
14. This bid supports the Council’s corporate objective, protecting and enhancing our environment.
Officer Recommendation
15. That £4,526.50 of Neighbourhood Initiatives Funding is provided to support the creation of 230 metres of new paths as part of the Swanwick Lakes Access project referred to in the report.
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- 6 - THE HISTORIC CONSERVATION AND RESTORATION OF SIX EDWARDIAN AND VICTORIAN MONUMENTS AND TOMBSTONES IN THE OLD BURIAL GROUND OF ST. EDMUNDS CROFTON OLD CHURCH.
Details of the bid
16. This application is for £7,475 to support the historic conservation and restoration of six Edwardian and Victorian monuments and tombstones in the old burial ground.
17. The Saxons built St Edmunds Crofton Old Church in the 9th century. It, or a later one, is referred to in the Doomsday Book of 1087 as the ‘Crofton Church of the Holy Rood’.
18. In 1987, a larger Parish Church of the Holy Rood was built in Stubbington, but the old church, re-dedicated to St Edmund, King and Martyr, was occasionally used. In 1980 the Parochial Church Council considered abandoning St Edmund’s for lack of funds for its upkeep but the threat was overcome by a successful appeal that culminated in the formation of the Friends of Crofton Old Church (FOCOC).
19. Since 1981 the FOCOC have been responsible for funding the restoration and maintenance of the church. Recently they have restored the roof, refurbished the inside of the church adding an accessible toilet to comply with the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) and added a small kitchen area.
20. St Edmunds Crofton Old Church Burial Ground is part of the local communities’ heritage and is well used by visitors to the Church, and those cutting through the cemetery. As a Burial Authority, Fareham Borough Council is responsible for protecting the safety of all cemetery users under the Health and Safety Act 1974 and is committed to a programme of memorial inspections.
21. St Edmunds Crofton Old Church Burial Ground many memorials have been reported as unstable and unsafe. Further inspections since that date, revealed that in addition to the risk of memorials toppling over, many memorials had fallen into disrepair and collapsed over the course of time. Many of them were potential trip hazards, dilapidated and others just lumps of broken stones in need of attention and repair.
22. Due to the age of the memorials, Fareham Borough Council cannot trace their owners and in order to address the problems noted, a programme of works has been established. The proposed memorial work is aimed at enhancing the appearance of the cemetery for future generations, ease maintenance, address health and safety concerns whilst still maintain the character of this Edwardian and Victorian Cemetery. 23. In addition to these health and safety works which are now on a three year faculty, and recent restoration phases, Friends of Crofton Old Church are seeking funding to support the full restoration of six monument memorials in Crofton Old Burial ground. sb-080925-r01-gel
- 7 - 24. Description of the six monuments:-
Collapsed late Edwardian Cornish granite monument styled in the manner of a celtic cross and matching granite platform base. Collapsing Victorian Portland tomb casket with broken ledger. Collapsing mid Victorian tomb chest. Collapsed monumental headstone set into Portland base plinth, grave area surrounded by Portland kerb edgings. Subsiding Edwardian marble memorial cross and plinth. The elaborate memorial is one of the most elaborate and sculptured in the burial ground. The cross is decorated with hand carved swags of roses and lilies entwined onto a cross surmounted with the “dove of peace.” Collapsing Portland casket complete with diamond point frieze carved on ledger.
25. The total cost of the project is £7,475. The project’s completion will enhance the appearance of the cemetery for future generations, ease maintenance, and reduce health and safety concerns whilst maintain the character of the Edwardian and Victorian cemetery in the Old Burial Ground.
Corporate Objectives
26. This bid supports the Council’s corporate objective protecting and enhancing our environment.
Officer Recommendation
27. That £7,475 of Neighbourhood Initiatives Funding is provided to support the historic conservation and restoration of six Edwardian and Victorian monuments and tombstones in the old burial ground.
THE BROADLAW WALK LOCAL COMMUNITY MURAL PROJECT.
Details of the bid
28. This application is for £6,053 to support a Broadlaw Walk local Community Mural Project.
29. The project will work with local community members (specifically targeting younger and older residents) to create a mural on the community hoardings around the shopping area, which will include a community facility.
30. The project will take place as Broadlaw Walk is redeveloped and it is hoped that this will minimise graffiti and vandalism to the area. By empowering the community to contribute to the development of their local area it will help create a sense of ownership and ensure that community facilities are well used.
31. Portsmouth Housing Association (PHA) and Hampshire County Council Fareham Youth Team will work with the local community to paint 20 panels sb-080925-r01-gel
- 8 - across a series of eight days and an artist will be present to help, guide, and encourage residents. Both PHA and Fareham Youth Team will be funding workers and supporting the initial out reach work to develop this project.
Corporate objectives
32. This bid supports the Council's corporate objectives protecting and enhancing our environment, maintaining and extending prosperity, leisure for health and for fun, and strong and inclusive communities.
Officer recommendation
33. That £6,053 of Neighbourhood Initiative Funding is provided to support the Broadlaw Walk local community mural project.
RISK ASSESSMENT
34. An assessment of risks and opportunities associated with these bids is attached at Appendix A.
CONCLUSION
35. The Scrutiny Board is invited to review the three new funding applications, as laid out in this report, and is asked to comment on the applications and make a recommendation for consideration by the Executive.
Background Papers: None. Reference Papers: Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust Application. St Edmunds Crofton Old Church Application. Portsmouth Housing Association and Fareham Youth Team Application.
Above reference papers can be viewed on Floor Three, Leisure and Community Division. Appendix A- Risk Assessment (attached). Enquiries: For further information on this report, please contact Graham Ellwood or Zita Hobbs. (Ext 4447/8).
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APPENDIX A RISK ASSESSMENT
Potential Impact Description Potential Risks Comments Comments Opportunities Implications in relation to: No significant risks. The funding achieving Corporate applications (if CORPORATE Objectives and Priorities approved) will OBJECTIVES Corporate Governance contribute towards Responsibilities meeting the Council’s corporate objectives. No significant risks. Broadlaw Walk local Implications for any community mural existing partnership hoardings project will PARTNERSHIPS arrangements provide an opportunity Risks or opportunities for to work with PHA and new partnerships Fareham Youth Team with local residents. Implications in relation to: This proposal can be Funding from the Budget Constraints met within existing Council enables other FINANCE AND Funding budget limits. organisations to lever RESOURCES Contractual Obligations in other sources of or Penalties funding to the Use of Land or Assets Borough. Implications in relation to: No significant risks. No significant Statutory or opportunities. discretionary powers National Legislation LEGAL (e.g. Human Rights, Data protection etc) Failing to comply with legislative requirements of service Potential litigation action Implications in relation to: PERSONNEL No significant risks. No significant Organisational change opportunities. sb-080925-r01-gel - 10 - Potential Impact Description Potential Risks Comments Comments Opportunities Employee policies and conditions Skill availability Training and Development Implications in relation to: No significant risks. No significant performance targets opportunities. the operation of the service the need for Change Management SERVICE Competitive advantage of the service Technological impacts Innovation The needs of residents, businesses or visitors to the Borough Implications for the Health No significant risks. Memorial work will & Safety of the Public, address health and Employees or Members safety concerns for HEALTH & FBC employees SAFETY working around the tombstones and for people visiting the Old Church Burial Ground. Implications in relation to: No significant risks. Working in Council’s Section 17 partnership to help CRIME & Obligations reduce vandalism and DISORDER Community Safety graffiti and anti-social Anti-fraud and behaviour. corruption Implications in relation to: No significant risks. Enhance the Old ENVIRONMENTAL Sustainability Church Burial Ground, Public Health ease maintenance sb-080925-r01-gel
- 11 - Potential Impact Description Potential Risks Comments Comments Opportunities Physical risks and maintain the character of the old burial ground. Implications in relation to: No significant risks. Working with diverse Inclusion range of local Equality of access and community members EQUALITY AND opportunity DIVERSITY and local residents to Cohesion encourage them to Diversity take ownership of community areas.
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