Forum Topic

£300,000 Community Chest

Hounslow in £300,000 Giveaway to CommunityCome to the launch to learn how to bid for the money6pm Thursday, 13 July at the Holiday Inn, Brentford "Councillor Theo Dennison, London Borough of Hounslow’s Cabinet Member for Finance & Citizen Engagement invites you to the CIL launch event to learn how you can bid for a big new pot of cash to support projects recommended by local residents and community organisations. "The Community Infrastructure Levy ('CIL') will provide hundreds of local charities, voluntary and community groups and residents with the resources they need to make a positive difference in their local area for local community projects like skills and training; transport, public spaces, art and leisure; and improvements to educational, health, community, leisure, cultural and faith facilities. "Councillor Dennison, explains: 'We are really impressed by the tremendous work done by the voluntary and community sector and the fantastic results they achieve, so we are determined to do more to help support their wonderful efforts by ensuring people get a chance to direct where money is spent to improve and benefit their area.' "The event will start at 6 pm on Thursday, 13 July 2017 at the Holiday Inn, Commerce Road, Brentford TW8 8GA, where information and advice will be available on how community organisations can bid for a share of the money. "For further information, please contact the council’s Infrastructure Team at CIL_S106@hounslow.gov.uk"

Phil Andrews ● 2976d7 Comments

Hi Phil.  I am pleased to say my role has been expanded to encompass the whole of the old community engagement portfolio, so I will be spending much of this year trying to improve relations with the community and voluntary sector, taking stock of the cuts that have occurred and working out how best we can take things forward.  That involves looking at all funding streams and buildings with an eye on the long term.  Hopefully we will also get back to everyone e having a clear appreciation of the importance of a thriving independent voluntary and community sector.The consultation on the allocation of funds from the community infrastructure levy and s106 starts formally on 3 July and there is the launch event at the Holiday Inn on 13 July as you mentioned in your first post.  It ends in September, so lots of time for folk to think of good ways to improve their area and community and put those ideas in for consideration.  Depending how many we get I would like to be signing the allocations off by November.The allocation process involves us circulating a draft single member decision with a table of recommended allocations to the original set of community and voluntary organisations, posting it online and sending copies to local councillors (and timetabling permitting, the area forum too).Usually two weeks are set aside for objections, tho we usually take more to sift through responses, before all those not queried are signed off.  Objections preferably by email can be submitted to the same email address as bids or, if someone is in danger of getting hot under the collar, they can always come direct to me.  On this I am entirely responsible so if something is wrong it is my fault - and I am open to any good ideas for both allocating funds and improving the way this works.

Theo Dennison ● 2975d

That is reassuring Theo, as indeed is the fact that you took the trouble to respond and to explain the process.  Thank you.Just so that we may be clear, through what means will expressions of interest be made known to the public, and what will the time period be during which any concerns may be expressed or objections made?

Phil Andrews ● 2975d

Thanks for the information Cllr Dennison and thank you for overseeing this.Money to spend!  Wheeee!

Sarah Felstead ● 2975d

The Community Infrastructure Levy is a new tax established by Central Government (but collected and spent by local councils).  It's a tax on local developments.  It is like s106 Phil but less restrictive - and there is still s106 around so any project ideas that are submitted will be assessed against both pots.As we all know some developments are welcome but some aren't, the CIL doesn't distinguish between good or bad it just takes a cut of any that are agreed and the aim is to help compensate for them, make good some of the adverse consequences and improve the area in which they occur.  The 'areas' will mirror the area forum areas, so CIL from developments in Isleworth, Brentford, Osterley and Spring Grove and Syon will fund projects in these wards. The bulk of it will be spent by the Council on social infrastructure but helpfully 15% (roughly £300k pa) must be spent on projects put forward by local residents and community organisations.As I introduced with s106, which I have been responsible for since 2014, residents and community organisations will be invited to suggest projects every year. Proposed allocations will be published before I sign them off and if I get it wrong and objections are received to any recommendation I will pull them.  More details are available on the Council website and in addition to press releases, invitations to apply are being sent to every community and voluntary organisation that the Council knows of - if any fear they will be missed off they are welcome to email me directly at theo.dennison@hounslow.gov.uk

Theo Dennison ● 2975d

How can we make sure everyone who would like their own £10,000 to spend, probably to keep a valued community service going, knows about the bid?  Spread the word.

Sarah Felstead ● 2976d

You make a very good point which  I must admitt I had not thought of. Well said!!!

Nicholas Beard ● 2976d

The address given for enquiries would suggest that this is unspent Section 106 money, and if so it is good to see that this is being put to good use rather than simply ignored or returned as has happened far too often in the past.I really don't want to be negative or churlish as on the surface of it I think this is a worthy initiative, but the track record of this admninistration on the issue of community engagement obviously makes one suspicious.  Under the circumstances my fear is that this money will be used either to buy or secure control over existing community groups, or find its way into dubious and apparently unaccountable ventures such as those in Isleworth which have recently been called into question and which are the subject of ongoing community investigation.Time will tell, let's hope Theo can rapidly dispel any fears and prove them wrong.

Phil Andrews ● 2976d