Meeting documents

1 THE ISSUE

1.1 This report asks the Executive to support funding for those Voluntary Organisations providing holiday and out of school play schemes and support the development of play initiatives currently in receipt of funding from Education.

1.2 The paper is for Council Executive as the Executive Portfolio holder for Education has declared an interest.

2 RECOMMENDATION

2.1 That the Executive recommends, subject to budget decisions, the 12 play providers and support organisations shown in table 1 should receive the suggested funding for 2003-2004.

3 FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

3.1 The budget for grants to voluntary play organisations for 2002/03 is £102,483. In addition to this is money for voluntary play organisations allocated from Youth and Community and Social Services and administered and monitored by Play Development. This totals £37,327. The total budget administered by Play Development is £139,810.

4 THE REPORT

4.1 FUNDING FOR 2002/2003 AND PROPOSED FUNDING FOR 2003/2004

4.2 CRITERIA FOR ALLOCATION OF GRANTS

4.3 DETAILS OF GROUPS IN RECEIPT OF FUNDING FOR PLAY

Bath Area Play Project In line with the B&NES Play Policy, BAPP will provide five weeks of open-access inclusive holiday play-schemes in five areas identified as priority by the Council. With adequate levels of staffing and local community support, BAPP will provide quality play experiences for all children from the criteria in the Play Policy. They will continue to support and develop community run play-schemes as well as offering training, information and resources to enable and encourage new play provision.

National Autistic Society This club aims to provide a safe environment where children with Asperger's syndrome can socialise, develop their independence and play in a fun environment. Many of the children are integrated within mainstream education but want an after school club aimed at their needs.

The Hut Twerton runs play-schemes, crèches, and toddler groups. The funding would enable a play scheme for two weeks in the spring and four weeks in the summer. The Hut is in an area of social need and has a very dedicated team of volunteers. However they need a core of paid staff in order to continue providing holiday play schemes.

Radstock Junior Gateway and Keynsham Junior Gateway This provides an integrated after school activity club for 4-16 year old children. The activities are challenging and aimed at breaking down the barriers between able bodied and disabled children.

The Community Bus An independent Charity dedicated to working in areas that lack basic community provision. During the school holidays the bus runs playschemes for 5-11 year olds. This year the Bus won the Best Play Awards for their collaboration with Wansdyke Play Association on the Peasedown summer playscheme.

Whisty Playscheme A voluntary community organisation based in the Whitelands area of Radstock providing holiday playschemes for 5-11 year olds in an area where there is very little other provision.

Norton Radstock Family Centre Family support centre run by a partnership between Bath and North East Somerset and Bardnardo's. Offers a range of services to support families in the Norton Radstock area. The funding will help to pay for staffing for additional inclusive play sessions during the holidays.

5 OTHER POSSIBLE OPTIONS

5.1 The Panel could recommend that inflation should be added to the proposed figures. However, in the light of budget pressures this could raise expectations, which might not be fulfilled.

6 CONSULTATION

Groups currently in receipt of funding were sent a copy of the draft report.

7 SEN INCLUSION/EQUALITIES