Eight community associations and village halls across the county including Augusta Park Community Association will benefit from grants approved by Hampshire County Council’s Executive Member for Culture, Recreation and Countryside.
At his Decision Day on 16 September 2014, Councillor Keith Chapman awarded grants totalling £31,865 for a variety of projects including building improvement and repair work, boiler replacements and refurbishments.
Partnership funding from the Community Buildings and Capital Fund enables the voluntary and community sector to maintain the quality of Hampshire’s village halls and Community Association buildings. This finance enables improvements to be made to those buildings and can assist with the development of new facilities where appropriate.
The full breakdown of grant funding is as follows –
| Organisation | District | Project | Grant amount |
| Brookvale Community Association | Basingstoke and Deane | To support some indoor and outdoor permanent resources, including tables and chairs. 100 people are expected to benefit. Total cost of project £11,364. | £1,535 |
| Alton Community Association | East Hampshire | To reconfigure the staff office space, create one large open plan reception area, a small downstairs meeting room, create a caretaker’s office and install effective heating in the Garden Room. 2,000 are expected to benefit. Total cost of project £20,943. | £5,000 |
| Horndean Community Association | East Hampshire | For the installation of new hard wood flooring to the main hall and repairs to the roof of the store and dressing room at the side of the main hall after it was damaged by severe weather. 3,000 are expected to benefit. Total cost of project £13,412. | £5,335 |
| Whitehill Village Hall | East Hampshire | Towards the refurbishment of the kitchen, including replacing the cupboards and taps, re-tiling and fitting non-slip flooring. 300 people are expected to benefit. Total cost of project £9,125. | £4,500 |
| Cross Barn, Odiham | Hart | To buy a demountable stage with an extension and an access ramp for performing arts. 1,979 people are expected to benefit. Total cost of project £8,364. | £2,000 |
| Yateley Village Hall | Hart | To support the refurbishment of the disabled andmen’s toilets. 100 people are expected to benefit. Total cost of project is £8,688 | £4,345 |
| Sway Village Hall | New Forest | To replace the central heating system to ensure economic reliable service for the future. 2,000 people are expected to benefit. Total cost of the project is £28,556. | £9,000 |
| Augusta Park Community Association | Test Valley | Towards the provision of a fixed projector screen, for use in the brand new community centre. Total cost of project £1,998. | £150 |
| Total: £31,865 |
Councillor Chapman said: “Village halls and community associations are a valuable asset in every local area and vital in providing an activity hub that brings together local people of all ages. ”
“The County Council’s contributions enable improvements to be made to their buildings, equipment and facilities, which helps to ensure that they continue their valuable work within the community.”
Details about Hampshire County Council grants available can be found at www.hants.gov.uk/grants