Purpose

To consider the community services grant awards for
2026/27

Decision

RESOLVED that
 

1.   
the continuation of core services grant funding
for Community First East Hampshire, Community Transport Services
and the Hampshire Safeguarding Children Partnership, as set out in
Section 7, up to a maximum total value of £95,200 for 2026/27
be approved; and

2.   
authority be delegated to the Executive Director
of Community, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for
Community Development and Engagement and the Section 151 Officer,
to:
·      
agree and enter into the necessary grant and
service level agreements;
·      
agree performance monitoring and break
clauses;
·      
release grant payments in instalments subject to
performance; and
·      
where funding and budgets allow, extend or vary
the term of agreements beyond one year, up to the approved
budget.
 
Reasons for the decision
 
To continue existing core services funding
arrangements for key community services operating in East Hampshire
for the period April 2026 to March 2027 (and beyond where delegated
authority is exercised), within the approved Community Services
revenue budget.
 
Alternative Options Considered
 
A. Do nothing
There is no statutory requirement for the
Council to provide funding for these services. However, this option
would have significant negative consequences. Community First plays
a critical role in supporting the voluntary sector, which underpins
the Council’s ambitions for thriving communities and an
asset-based approach. Without this support, many local
organisations would struggle to remain viable, reducing community
capacity and resilience. Similarly, the withdrawal of funding for
Community Transport would exacerbate rural isolation and limit
access to essential services, particularly for older residents and
those with mobility challenges. This would likely increase demand
on statutory services and lead to poorer health and wellbeing
outcomes.
 
B. Council provides services directly
The Council could seek to deliver these
services in-house. However, this is not considered feasible or
cost-effective. The Council does not have the specialist expertise
or staff resources to replicate the infrastructure support provided
by Community First or the operational capacity to deliver community
transport. Partner organisations can leverage external funding,
volunteer support, and economies of scale to deliver these services
more efficiently than the Council could achieve alone.
 
C. Reduce the current level of grant
funding
Reducing the level of funding would compromise
the ability of Community First to maintain a dedicated officer for
East Hampshire and deliver the full range of support services
required to build capacity in the voluntary sector. This would
undermine the Council’s strategic objectives, including the
development of Community Area Partnerships and the implementation
of ABCD principles. Similarly, reducing funding for Community
Transport would result in fewer routes or reduced service
availability, leaving vulnerable residents without viable transport
options. While both services attract some external funding, these
sources are typically short-term and cannot replace core
funding.
 
D. Preferred option - Maintain funding as
proposed
The recommended approach is to maintain the
current level of funding for Community First and Community
Transport, as set out in this report. This option ensures
continuity of essential services while supporting the
Council’s transformation agenda. It also provides flexibility
for Community Transport through delegated authority to agree annual
contractual arrangements, enabling the Council to respond to budget
pressures and service changes over the three-year period.