'Transitional' Funding Offered For Community Youth Projects
Hounslow Council offer extra cash in advance of its controversial youth service cuts
Hounslow Council has advised community youth groups across the borough to apply for their share of a 'Transition Fund' before applications close on 30 June 2018. The funding comes in advance of major cutbacks in the Council's youth budget.
The council’s Cabinet members have allocated a transitional fund of £450,000 to be used to support voluntary and community organisations in advance of its controversial cutbacks in the youth services budget.
The fund will be one-off funding and will be available over three years [2018/19 – 2020/21.
Hogarth Youth Centre
Hounslow Council plans to reduce the youth budget by £650,000 which mean that they will no longer employ staff on site at its five youth centres across the borough. There was widespread opposition to this move at the Hogarth Youth Centre in Chiswick where an ongoing campaign is being fought to keep the centre open.
Instead of paying staff at the centres, the council has proposed that a team of "detached youth workers" will support young people on estates by doing street work. They will use community buildings based on levels of need.
Regarding the transitional funding, which is aimed at getting the commuity groups to fun the projects themselves, the council says: " Voluntary and community organisations or individuals who are current providers and potential new providers (both consortia or individuals) are eligible to seek funding. Organisations/individuals must be based locally in the borough of Hounslow and provide a service to Hounslow young people and their families."
Funding will be allocated from the Transition Fund, if a proposal meets at least one of the following criteria:
Sustainability
The proposal specifically identifies actions and activities that will
support the ongoing continuation of a service and or project
Skill development
The proposal addresses a skill gap which if addressed will support the
continuation of the services
Governance arrangements
The proposal supports organisations to establish good governance, constitutions
and management arrangements which will support them in seeking external
funding
Funding of a Temporary role
The proposal suggests a temporary role that will add capacity and is required
as the organisation adjusts to a reduction in funding
To apply for funding from October 1 2018, applications should be submitted by 30 June 2018. For funding in year 2 and year 3, applications should be made by August 24 2018.
Bids will be considered by a panel of officers and decisions will be communicated to applicants within 21 days.
For more information or to apply for funding from the Transitional Fund email EIS_Review@hounslow.gov.uk
June 13, 2018