Issue details

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

An application for community funding has been received from Fareham North West Community Association for the sum of £1,880 to replace the heating system in the Fareham North West Community Centre.

The Association leases these facilities, in Henry Cort Drive, Fareham, from Fareham Borough Council with a condition of the lease being that the Association is responsible for keeping the interior, including all fixtures, in good repair and condition.  The current old heating system in the community centre is no longer fit for purpose, with many of the heaters being broken or ineffective. A quote has been received for £1,880 to replace the existing system with a more efficient system which will include the replacement of broken heaters in the main hall, coffee lounge and toilets.

The Community Centre is used by a good number of community groups and services, including the Tea, Talk and Tonk Group for elderly residents, the Games Club, the Petanque Club and the Fareham North West Youth Club.  In addition, the facilities are hired by the local community for hosting parties.

The Association is requesting the full amount towards the project.  Their accounts of August 2018 list a balance of £9,810.87.  However, the Association is about to enter the winter months, during which their income remains static while their outgoings increase dramatically.  In addition, in the past eighteen months, the Association has self-funded a number of projects to improve the facility.  These include a new dishwasher, cooker and fridge and the installation of a hearing loop system.

Fareham North West Community Association has received no Community Funding from Fareham Borough Council since 2015.

Both Ward Councillors, Councillor Davies and Councillor Birkett, have indicated their support for this application.

A ‘health check’ of Fareham North West Community Centre, carried out in August 2018, identified certain maintenance that the Association was required to undertake to improve the safety of the facility.  This report recommends that funding is only released once these safety improvements have been actioned.