Tuesday, 26 March 2013

Pupils at a Winchester school are to have new permanent classrooms as part of plans unveiled by Hampshire County Council to cater for the school's ongoing growth in pupil numbers.

At his Decision Day (25 March), Executive Lead Member for Children's Services, Councillor Roy Perry instructed officers to progress a scheme at All Saints Church of England Primary School in St Catherine's Road, Winchester to replace the temporary classroom and provide the school with permanent accommodation for a one form entry school.

The plans form part of the County Council's £10million long term investment to provide hundreds of additional primary school places in the city from September 2014 to meet the pressures from rising birth rates, new housing developments and parental preference, as more and more young families move to Winchester.

Adding to the Children's Services existing overall £256million capital programme over the next three years, the enhanced facilities will see the temporary classroom removed, and two new permanent classrooms provided. There will also be a new internal link that connects the upper and lower parts of the school so that staff and pupils no longer have to go outside, as they do now. A new level main entrance will also be provided for the school, as well as improved staff facilities and in particular, a larger staffroom.

Commenting, Councillor Perry said: "The Capital Programme report on this agenda makes reference to the recent Government grant announcement. The report identifies £256million for investment in schools and other Children's Services establishments over the next three years. Such a considerable investment will offer many new and enhanced facilities for Hampshire children.

"In the Winchester city area, there has been a significant and rapid demand for primary places which mirrors the national trend, and one which we expect to continue. Much work is already underway to help address this in the years ahead, and I am pleased that we are in a position to move forward with plans to provide two permanent classrooms at All Saints Church of England Primary School, which will deliver an extra 70 places, and bring total pupil numbers up to 210. This represents a significant investment by the County Council so that children attending the school in future can enjoy enhanced facilities that support their learning and provide them with the best possible start in life."

• Children's Services Capital Programme 2013/14

Friday, 22 March 2013

Hampshire County Council is helping to keep alive an ancient institution which attracts thousands of visitors each year.

England's oldest charitable foundation - the historic Hospital of St Cross, in Winchester, will receive help from Hampshire County Council for important building repairs.

The charity, has received a grant of £10,000 to contribute towards the repairs of the church tower, including flintwork, leadwork and windows.

The funding was awarded by County Council Leader, Councillor Ken Thornber at his Decision Day on 14 March.

Henry of Blois, a grandson of William the Conqueror was appointed Bishop of Winchester in 1129 at the age of 28, and founded the Hospital of St Cross between 1132 and 1136. It was founded to support 13 poor men, so frail that they were unable to work, and to feed one hundred men at the gates each day. The 13 men became known as the Brothers of St Cross. Then, as now, they were not monks. St Cross is not a monastery but a secular foundation.

In the fifteenth century, Cardinal Beaufort created the Order of Noble Poverty, adding the Almshouse to the existing Hospital buildings and giving St Cross the look that it has today. His image appears on the Beaufort Tower.

Councillor Thornber said: "The Hospital of St Cross benefits a large number of people and is a popular tourist attraction in Winchester. The building is of huge historic value as well as being located along the Pilgrims Way path. This ancient route is supposed to have been taken by pilgrims travelling from Winchester to the shrine of Thomas Becket at Canterbury in Kent. I am pleased that the County Council is able to support the fabric of this piece of Winchester's rich history."

• Further information about the Hospital of St Cross and Almshouse of Noble Poverty

Friday, 22 March 2013

A massive £256million investment over the next three years for Hampshire's children and young people, including one of the biggest ever programmes for creating new school places has been approved by Hampshire County Council within its budget for 2013/14.

Now that Government has announced details of local authority grants for education capital spending for the next two years, the Council can plan with more certainty and Councillor Roy Perry, Executive Lead Member for Children's Services, is being asked to approve the detail of this substantial investment plan on 25 March.

It includes a commitment to spend £165million creating around 8,000 new, high quality school places that will meet the heavy demand from rising birth rates, new housing developments and more families moving into the county. It's also expected to give a big boost to Hampshire's economy by creating new jobs in the building industry and safeguarding others.

Other significant plans include the investment of £3m in Gosport Skills Centre, a centre for Engineering and Manufacturing Advanced Skills Training on the Daedulus Enterprise Zone site. The technical training centre will focus on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics technologies and wider engineering disciplines and will be led by Fareham College supported by St Vincent College and private sector employers. It is anticipated it will create sustainable employment opportunities by attracting investment and employers to the area while providing vital vocational skills to the district's young people.

The investment programme will also include improvements to the highly valued outdoor study centre at Stubbington, enhancements to education centres around the county to support vulnerable children and young people as well as the strategic review of children's residential homes which will see the relocation and replacement of homes to ensure they better meet the needs of the most vulnerable children that they support.

Commenting Councillor Perry said: "This planned programme represents a very significant investment into children's services, especially education, across Hampshire. Thousands of additional school places will be created, enhancements will be made to schools and education centre facilities as well as accommodation for children in care who are among the county's most vulnerable.

"A particularly innovative development is the Gosport Skills Centre, which will ensure young people have the right skills to meet the needs of the Hampshire employment market. This will not only improve opportunities for young people but will also help to ensure sustainable development of the local economy."

The 8,000 new school places will help meet forecast demand that is based on calculations not just about rising birth rates but housing growth and parental preferences that add further pressures. Population movement is hard to predict and some parts of Hampshire are becoming increasingly attractive for young families to move to after their children are born. There is a developing trend with parents attracted by the general quality of life in the county but also by the high quality schools, with more than 75% of children attending a primary school ranked good or outstanding by Ofsted.

Earlier this month Hampshire County Council was able to offer a record high 99.5% of parents a place for their child at a secondary school of their choice this September - with 96.2% getting their first preferred school, around 10% higher than the national averages released by the Department for Education last year.

The admissions team is now handling primary school applications with offers due to go out on 16 April. In total the department will have dealt with 33,000 applications this year for children who are either starting primary or secondary school or transferring from infant to junior school.

Councillor Perry added, "The pressure on school places is a national challenge and the popularity of Hampshire schools adds to that challenge. We have dealt with these pressures to date as the figures bear out. This significant investment plan means that we will continue to be able to offer parents high quality schooling in high quality accommodation."

• Children's Services in Hampshire

Thursday, 21 March 2013

Up to 30 young people studying for a university degree will receive support with their costs of living thanks to a new Undergraduate Support Scheme provided by Hampshire County Council.

Under the plans agreed by County Council Leader, Councillor Ken Thornber at his Decision Day (14 March), ten young people each year for the following three years, will be provided with a scholarship towards living costs, extended paid work placements, and subject to performance, employment after they graduate. A total of £720,000 has been set aside for the scheme which will begin in 2014.

It forms part of the Council's Hampshire Youth Investment Programme - an initiative by Councillor Thornber to help more of Hampshire's young people step onto the employment ladder.

The scheme will see the Council expand the number of young apprentices within its workforce by up to 1,000 over the next five years. As part of this wider programme, up to 170 apprentices will be recruited each year and another 30 posts in total will be available for young people in care or leaving care as the Leader's Internship Plus scheme pilot is extended.

Apprentices have already worked for the County Council in roles such as mechanics, rangers or teaching assistants, in the countryside, in museums, and in laboratories.

The new Undergraduate Support Scheme will add to existing national and local bursary and loan schemes and would provide young people with a scholarship of up to £8,000 depending on their eligibility, and students' performance will be measured. Hampshire's scholarship will be based on a termly payment, including a paid extended work placement during the Summer holidays.

Councillor Thornber, said: "In addition to university tuition costs, the cost of living can be a significant burden for students, and this project aims to help those young people who are truly dedicated in their pursuit of higher education and a fulfilling career beyond graduation. Those who are hard working, enthusiastic, keen to learn, may have overcome considerable challenges to reach university, and drawn from families with limited financial means, will be in line to benefit.

"In addition to support with their living costs, advice will also be available to them from Council staff who will offer these young people additional professional guidance on areas such as budgeting or grant applications, for example.

"While the public sector may be facing considerable economic challenges today from reduced levels of Government funding, it is vital that we continue to encourage and harness the young talent of tomorrow. Their innovation and skills will help provide them with productive careers, enable Hampshire's economy to continue to prosper in the future, and help us to meet our future workforce requirements in the years to come."

Detailed work will now go ahead with local colleges and higher education providers to develop and implement the criteria and operation of the Undergraduate Support Scheme.

• Hampshire Youth Investment Programme: Support for Undergraduates

Wednesday, 20 March 2013

Friends of the Hampshire County Youth Orchestra have received a boost to help them to replace a full set of concert dresses for their public performances.

At his Decision Day on 14 March, Hampshire County Council Leader, Councillor Ken Thornber awarded the organisation £5,265 towards the total cost of £10,000 to replace the 20 year old garments. The funding will contribute towards purchasing fabric and dressmaking.

Council Leader, Councillor Ken Thornber said: "This organisation provides an opportunity for young people to develop and present their talent across the County, providing musical pleasure to large audiences. I am happy to be able to assist them in updating their concert wardrobe."

The Friends of the Hampshire County Youth Orchestra aims to assist in the musical education of students at schools and colleges in Hampshire by providing financial support to the Hampshire County Youth Orchestra, Hampshire County Youth Chamber Orchestra, and Hampshire County Youth String Orchestra.

In particular, the Friends contribute to the cost of residential training courses and orchestra overseas tours to reduce parental contributions and ensure that opportunities are open to all. The Friends also help by giving grants to the orchestras for instruments, commissioning of new works, soloists and workshops.

• Friends of the Hampshire County Youth Orchestra

Friday, 15 March 2013

Hampshire County Council has awarded more than £1million to voluntary groups and organisations across the county to help improve the wellbeing of Hampshire communities.

Leader of Hampshire County Council, Councillor Ken Thornber at the Policy and Resources Decision Day (14 March) has awarded grants totalling £1,004,509 to benefit six organisations across the county.

The grants are allocated to help groups provide services and facilities that benefit their local community by making them safer and more secure places to live, maximising the wellbeing of residents and enhancing the quality of the local area. The funding is allocated annually to help groups to continue to run their services and support those people who need their help the most.

Councillor Thornber said: "The County Council places great value on the essential work in our communities that these organisations provide, which is reflected in these grants. Voluntary and community organisations make a significant contribution to Hampshire's economy, society and environment and play a huge role in supporting the County Council to deliver its objectives.

"This funding comes at a crucial time when organisations are seeing an increase in the number of people seeking their help and support with some of the social and economic problems that may be associated with the current recession."

The organisations to benefit are:

Community Action Hampshire
A Council for Voluntary Service operating on a county-wide basis and is also the Rural Community Council for Hampshire - £262,748

Councils for Voluntary Service
CVS represents and supports voluntary and community organisations. This grant funding will help to provide information and training around volunteering - £515,683

Hampshire Association for Local Councils
HALC represents the interests of parish and town councils throughout the county - £70,000

Winchester and District Relate
The grant to Relationship charity Relate contributes to the rental of suitable premises which ensures a safe, confidential and secure environment for clients and counsellors - £25,099

Victim Support
The service provides free and confidential help to victims of crime, witnesses and their families. This grant will go towards the recruitment, training, retaining and supporting of volunteers who deliver the service - £14,255

Citizens Advice Hampshire
Citizens Advice provides free and impartial advice to ensure vulnerable people are aware of their rights and responsibilities. This grant will pay for specialist support and training - £116,724

• Hampshire County Council grants

Friday, 15 March 2013

Support for a Hampshire-based charity dedicated to sea rescue missions has received a lifeline from Hampshire County Council.

At his Decision Day (14 March 2013), Leader of Hampshire County Council, Councillor Ken Thornber, awarded funding of £41,500 to the Solent Sea-Rescue Organisation.

The charity was established by the County Council in 1977, in partnership with local maritime authorities, to assist in sea rescues on the foreshore of the Solent and surrounding beaches.

It brings together eight independent lifeboat and rescue organisations, provides beach safety, as well as attending inland incidents. The organisation also gives regular sea and water safety talks to local community groups.

The funding will be used to cover the general running costs of the organisation.

Councillor Thornber, said: "The Solent is recognised as one of the busiest waterways in the world and there are a number of obvious dangers it poses. It is therefore disappointing that some local authorities have chosen to withdraw their funding to an organisation that does such exceptionally good work in keeping Hampshire's waters safe.

"Despite the ongoing financial pressures faced by all in the public sector, we recognise that the Solent Sea-Rescue Organisation provides a vital service to all users of the Solent and we have chosen to fund the financial shortfall they would otherwise have faced."

• Solent Sea Rescue Organisation

Friday, 08 March 2013

Hampshire County Council has agreed financial support totalling £123,000 to keep Alresford's well-used Cango service operating for a further four years from April.

The contract for the Alresford Cango was originally awarded to RJB (UK) in July 2011 but the County Council was required to step in after the operator had to stop trading in January (2013). At that time, Hampshire County Council arranged an emergency temporary contract to keep the service running and this expires on 21 April 2013. The new operator for this service is FleetBuzz.

Alresford Cango is a bus service with a flexible, not fixed route which operates from Alresford to Basingstoke, serving the villages in between (including Swarraton, Upper Wield and Farleigh Wallop). People can get on the Cango buses at either 'timed' or 'bookable' stopping points. The service provides a means of public transport for people to access education, go shopping or to travel to health services and facilities.

Councillor Mel Kendal, Executive Member for Environment and Transport, said: "There are enormous pressures on our budget, particularly when this is set against backdrop of reduced funding from the Government including a reduction in the rural bus subsidy grant. It is important that we ensure we manage our resources carefully to maintain essential services. We want to keep Hampshire moving, as well as support our communities to promote well-being and economic prosperity. Investment in community transport is important, particularly for those in rural areas where traditional bus services have been withdrawn by bus operators. In financially supporting the Alresford Cango, I am satisfied that the needs of the communities it serves will be met.

"Many people find the Cango service extremely valuable. For example, it can make all the difference to an older resident living in rural areas where being able get on a bus from a point nearer home to go shopping or visit friends and relatives means that person is able to live independently even if they do not have a car, and can travel more cost effectively. Likewise, a service like this means that younger people at school or college have a reliable means of transport."

Anyone that is interested in finding out more about the Alresford Cango can call 01962 845126 or 0845 602 4135 or look at the information online.

• Cango bus service

Friday, 08 March 2013

Groups and organisations that promote culture, community and recreational activity across Hampshire are set to benefit from more than £50,000 in grants from Hampshire County Council.

At his Decision Day on 7 March 2013, the County Council's Executive Member for Culture and Recreation, Councillor Keith Chapman awarded £51,300 in grants to six organisations in the New Forest, Test Valley, and Winchester.

For 2013/14 and beyond, an improved application process has now been introduced that complements the work of the County Council in meeting the needs of Hampshire's 1.3million residents and aims to encourage greater numbers of groups to come forward to apply for financial support.

Those to benefit in this latest round are:

Countryside Education Trust (CET), based in Beaulieu, which provides educational experience and field work activities to school children and adults, helping them to connect with the countryside and learn how to preserve their environment (£39,000)

Fawley Parish Council, for their 'Carnival Fun' project (£500)

Parent Link, Fawley, for their Band Camp project (£2,000)

Test Valley Community Services, for a 12 month project that targets young people facing barriers to volunteering (£4,400)

The Carroll Centre, Winchester, to support community use of the new library in the centre and support volunteer training and develop a library cafe (£4,400)

Winchester Writers' Conference, Festival and Bookfair, to support the Lollapalooza: Poetry and Prose Performance Evening (£1,000)

Councillor Keith Chapman said: "These groups play an important role in supporting our work, particularly in the current economic climate as financial pressures continue.

"Having modernised and streamlined the Council's grant application system, this means we can continue to support these groups with financial backing and we hope to encourage even more organisations to come forward and apply in future."

• A full list of grant applications awarded funding

Friday, 08 March 2013

A loan of two wheels can make a big difference to young people's job prospects. Those living in the East Hampshire, New Forest, Test Valley and Winchester districts of Hampshire are to have the opportunity of low cost moped hire for a further two years.

Hampshire County Council and the relevant district partners have agreed funding to extend 'Wheels to Work', a moped loan scheme operated on behalf of the councils by Community First New Forest.

Wheels to Work aims to give 16-25 year olds the independent means to be able to get to work, vocational training courses or interviews. The focus for Wheels to Work is to help those who live in areas that have limited public transport services, cannot afford their own car and have no other transport options.

Thanks to the joint funding from the councils, fully taxed and insured 50cc mopeds can be hired at low cost for between three to 12 months. A fleet of mopeds is available in each district, at a hire charge of £15 per week per moped.

Hampshire County Council's Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Environment and Transport, Councillor Mel Kendal, commented: "Young people living in rural areas generally need to travel beyond where they live to get to work or to centres where they can undertake vocational training on the path to permanent employment. Public transport options may be limited where they live, and they generally have no transport of their own because they don't have the money to fund this yet. They need a job in order to be able to earn a living which will allow them the means to organise their own transport. Wheels to Work aims to break this cycle and give 16 to 25 year olds a step up on to the ladder of independence."

He continued: "I am pleased that the district councils can see the value of Wheels to Work and are able to support us with funding so that it can continue to run for a further two years to 31 March 2015. This low cost, moped hire scheme has been operating for a number of years now and has benefited around 60 young people in enabling them to make the most of the opportunities available by providing transport to get to work or vocational training.

In the interest of safety, all hirers have to complete compulsory basic training, and are given a high visibility jacket, gloves and helmet - all of which are provided under the scheme. Included in the terms is an exit plan which is agreed with the moped borrower and, in some cases, can make provision for him or her to save up to buy their own transport.

Those wanting to find out more about the Wheels to Work scheme can contact 0845 521 6405

• View the report on the Wheels to Work scheme and funding recommendation

Thursday, 28 February 2013

160 home assessments, over 50 heating systems fixed, 75 oil-filled radiators supplied and more than 600 residents helped - just some of the figures that demonstrate the success of Hitting the Cold Spots, Hampshire County Council's scheme to help older and vulnerable people who may struggle to keep warm and pay the bills during the cold winter months.

The scheme, funded by the Department of Health's 'Warm Homes, Healthy People Fund' and now in its second year, aims to give older people and vulnerable people of any age immediate and practical advice on reducing energy bills, increasing available income and keeping warm. Advice is available until the end of March 2013 from a trained advisor by calling a free number (0800 804 8601) and, depending on the situation, further help may also be on offer with free home assessments, access to efficient, oil-filled radiators and grants to assist with hot water and heating repairs using Buy With Confidence traders.

Councillor Felicity Hindson, Executive Member for Adult Social Care at Hampshire County Council said:

"Cold weather not only makes life uncomfortable but can also lead to, and aggravate, serious health problems such as respiratory diseases, asthma, depression, heart disease and strokes. Hampshire County Council's Hitting the Colds Spots scheme is building on last year's initiative with another campaign targeted at older and vulnerable people who may 'fall beneath the radar' and struggle to keep warm and pay the bills during the cold winter months.

"I'm very pleased that our Hitting the Cold Spots scheme is helping people to keep warm and these figures demonstrate just how important it is to offer a dedicated free advice line with a 'real person' to speak to who can give immediate, practical advice and follow up on the tougher problems.

"When people have had long-term problems with their heating systems or with paying their energy bills it can sometimes take a lot of courage to make that first call and it is encouraging that more and more people are finding the confidence to call our energy advisors."

Case Study

Mr and Mrs Stockwell, a couple living in Andover and with limited income, had constant trouble with their boiler. The pensioners, both suffering from long term illnesses, had an unpleasant shock before Christmas when a heating engineer gave them a quote to repair the boiler - with no guarantee that the boiler would not break down again.

They did not want to endure another Christmas without heating or hot water so they called the Hitting the Cold Spots advice line. An advisor subsequently visited to assess their home circumstances alongside the project's criteria, and also left a Hitting the Cold Spots support pack containing useful tips and equipment to keep warm at home and save money on fuel bills. The upshot was that just two days later the go-ahead was given to fund the installation of a new gas boiler and work was completed before Christmas by a Buy With Confidence trader.

The relieved couple said, "We have never sought help from anyone and have always paid our own way. The work was done very efficiently and very quickly and all is working perfectly. We received excellent support from Hitting the Cold Spots."

Since October 2012 HtCS has assisted over 600 Hampshire residents with information and advice, fixed over 50 heating systems, provided 75 oil-filled radiators, completed 160 home free home assessments and made over 500 referrals to partner organisations.

• Hitting the Cold Spots