Decision details

This report presents an application for funding under the Council’s Community Fund Programme.

An application for community funding has been received from Mr Mark Nash, Operations Manager of Fareham Community Church, for the sum of £4998.10 to purchase equipment as part of their Room 7 (youth room) Refurbishment project.

Fareham Community Church is a faith based organisation and a registered charity. The refurbishment project of the youth room has been put in place to enable the Church to increase their work with young people, whilst also extending their support and advice services to all members of the community, targeting those hard to reach residents. By focussing on open access provision, it is the Church’s intention that this project will make it easier for local people to engage within a safe and supportive community.

Fareham Community Church will be funding two youth workers to develop contacts in the community and make them aware of the provision available at the centre. Other works will include increasing open access provision and events, setting up of a weekly youth club, drop-in facilities to provide support/advice, and work with other agencies and providers to increase open access youth provision in Fareham.

The total cost of the project in its first year is over £32,500. Fareham Community Church has already supported the project with some finance and labour in building work to allow easier access and increased multi-functionality of the space. They have committed to providing a full-time qualified youth worker as well as a trainee youth worker for 10 hours per week. The funding for the youth workers will be supported on an ongoing basis by the Church and funding for this is available for the foreseeable future. In addition to these staffing costs, Fareham Community Church will also be financing various other works in the room, including new flooring, creation of a new storage area, additional furniture, games consoles, miscellaneous audio equipment and additional cosmetic works.

They are applying to the community fund for £4998.120 which will allow them to purchase equipment for the youth room including seating, portable staging, a computer, internet access terminals, monitors for games consoles and a DVD player and screen.

Councillor Bryant and Councillor Mrs Bryant are in support of this application.

That the application for £4998.10 from Fareham Borough Council’s Community Funding Programme, submitted by Mr Nash of Fareham Community Church, be approved.