Decision Maker:

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: Yes

Date of Decision: March 5, 2025

Purpose: This report presents an application for funding under the Council’s Community Funding Programme.    An application to the Community Fund for start-up funding has been received from Repair Café Portchester for £1,363.27 towards basic repair tools and PPE, a PAT testing machine, a sewing machine, administration tools and consumables.   Repair Cafes are free meeting places, where visitors can bring their broken items from home for volunteers specialising in repairs to fix, giving a new lease of life and reducing waste. Repair Café Portchester aims to launch on 29th March, with monthly sessions thereafter at Portchester Community Centre on the last Sunday of every month, from 10:30am-1:30pm. There has been an overwhelmingly positive response from the residents of Portchester and there is already an established team of 10 volunteers with diverse repair skills, including a PAT (Portable Appliance Testing) trained volunteer. They have also gained support from experienced Repair Cafes in Portsmouth and Gosport.   It is anticipated that the Repair Café will be able to support residents with fixing items such as small household appliances, clothing items and bikes, in turn reducing the amount of waste going to landfill due to their repair activities.   For long term sustainability of the organisation itself, the Repair Café will be community-funded through donations from visitors who use the service and introduce a ‘pay it forward’ scheme to ensure accessibility for all. They also hope to introduce a small café element, offering refreshments and additional volunteer opportunities.   The estimated start-up cost of this project is £2,339.79. Repair Café Portchester are looking for £1,363.27 from the Community Fund with the remainder being funded through fundraising donations.   Both Ward Councillors, Councillor P Nother and P Whittle support the Repair Café’s application. As per their Register of Interests, it should be noted that both are members of the Portchester Community Centre which is the location where the Repair Café will run from.    

Content: RESOLVED that the Executive Member for Leisure and Community approve the application to award £1,363.27 from the Community Fund.